Chickens' behavior towards cat

[crowber]

I'm a bit worried about the neighbor's cat, which is typically indoors but seems to either get out or they let it out from time to time. I was in the yard with my flock of four, when one sounded an alarm call. I saw that the neighbors cat was at the fenceline (fence is broken we are getting it replaced soon). I tried to call the chickens, and they ignored me! Then they moved TOWARDS the cat! I had to actually move in-between them and the cat and herd them away. They got less than 10 ft from the cat.

So obviously the chickens were curious, but I feel like this is going to get them killed if a bigger predator shows up, like a bobcat. I'm wondering if I should have acted more freaked out/yelled louder so they got the idea that this was dangerous. Or should I have let them check each other out, deliver a good peck?

Two of them are jersey giants and bigger than the cat, but one is a small easter egger. Not sure if need to worry about this cat. And how can I make sure they listen to me if I spot a predator and need to call them in quickly? They usually come when I call but did not this time.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I'm not surprised to hear that they were moving toward what you thought was danger. Chickens are curious. My husky has killed a couple of my chickens, so I put up a fence around their free range area. Now when he runs down the side of the fence (going somewhere, not attacking the chickens) they will run to the fence to greet him! I don't think that they would run to a bob cat or bear or other predator. Especially since most of the time they come under darkness of night to kill and destroy. Those chickens can probably (pardon my language) kick that cat's ass! I wouldn't be too worried about the cat.