Dangers of Cats?

[micstrachan]

My neighbor has several outdoor cats, and they co-exist with the chickens quite well. Having said that, the chickens are not allowed to free range without the dog being outside, and I think she would intervene if a cat attacked a chicken. Only one ever looked like he might be considering g the chickens prey, and that ended with a swift peck to the head.

 

[Alexandra33]

I'd keep an eye on things initially, but if it appears your cat doesn't show any tendencies to attack chickens, I wouldn't worry in the least. I'm MUCH more leery of dogs around a flock, as it seems their instincts (unless trained) are to kill as many as possible simply for sport. Sickening.

From someone who's owned numerous kitties in her life, they normally prefer smaller, easier prey, such as mice, moles, and songbirds. Full-sized chickens are rarely threatened, unless of course we're involving a starving feral. Even then, it's not likely. Chicks could technically be an attainable target, although mine refuse to touch even the smallest of Old English Game bantam babies. These little fireballs don't "act" like prey animals, being that they'll stand up to a cat rather than flee. Flight activactes a feline's predatory inclinations.

Let's just say, not only do my well-fed house and barn cats leave our birds (including many bantams and chicks) be, but ferals, strays, and neighbor's kitties haven't made any attempts. I suppose it's not out of the realm of possibility, which is why I recommend supervising to avoid preventable issues, but doubtful.

~Alex

 

[Killer Tomato]

Of our 3 cats, I only have one cat who stalks our chickens. She will crouch and swipe at them when they walk near her. She's a fat cat, and not a hunter, so I don't worry now that the hens are full grown. The incidents usually end with the chickens winning, and her running to a different portion of the yard, to snooze on a chair.

When they were chicks, it was a whole different story. All three of our cats were fascinated, and watched with hungry eyes. I didn't let them get close enough to find out what they would do!

The neighbor's cats only watch -- they don't come into the yard. They've been sprayed with the hose when they've gotten too interested. Our dogs also keep the other cats from coming over to investigate.

 

[Naser]

If the rooster is good and big enough, they will be fine, cats don't normally go for fully grown hens, I have seen cats many times around my hens, never seen them attacking them

 

[firefowl]

I've got a small cat not even fully grown yet. I've got 2 araucana bantams and 3 full size chickens. I used to have a maran rooster and my cat would chase and hassle all of them.

The rooster didn't even attempt to defend itself or the flock against the cat. Pretty annoying because it encourages the cat to keep doing it. Normally I'm the one that has to chase it away. Never learns though...

The cat still chases them, but never has attacked them. I think it just does it for fun. I am worried about my chicks though

 

[Alexandra33]

Which brings up a good point - my guess is there's potential for misunderstanding a cat's behavior towards chickens. Yes, chasing and "stalking" can indeed indicate predatory advances, but we may tend to forget in our fear that this is also the manner in which felines play (with each other, as well as in general). My barn cats enjoy hiding behind plants and buildings, and ambushing the birds....aside from the times I've heard irritated squawking from a chicken being chased by one of our frisky kitties. Never, though, have they attempted to genuinely cause harm.

~Alex