Do cats get along with chickens?

[IslaBean]

I currently have two kittens who are not yet full grown. They haven’t bothered the chickens at all. I’m worried that they might in the future. I let my chickens free range all day when I’m not present. Do you think my cats will soon find out that my chickens are the same thing that’s in their cat food?

 

[Maddison]

They can get along, I had a ginger boy whom grew up with the chickens and never bothered them, he even slept in their nest box which the girls hated and he still wouldn't attack them when they kicked him off. I have two other girl cats that weren't raised around chickens and lick their lips at the sight, I no longer let them out so its not a problem for me. so long as you raise chickens and cats together they will realize that they are family, I never really had to teach my cat that he just knew, but I cant say the same for other cats so do supervise when they are outside. only leave them alone when you are sure they are okay with them, you may think they are but be sure! all it takes is one hungry pet, I learnt that the hard way.

 

[KirstyT]

Hi we have two fully grown cats of our own and plenty of neighbouring cats, we have never had a problem. But when we got the chickens the cats stalked them a bit and I growled at the cats when the chickens got older I let them chase and peck at the cats now they just leave each other alone. They don't mind sharing the same backyard.

 

[dainerra]

a full grown chicken is too big for most cats to bother with. cats aren't "domesticated" in the sense that dogs are and keep their wilder instincts. chicks are easy prey for cats, even for those that have been raised around chickens and ignores adults.

 

[BY Bob]

Cats and chickens used to live in our barn togather. I don't remember any instance of cats killing a full grown chicken or even trying. I would say that you never know but our 3 cats now just hag with the girls. My orange tabby has gotten too close and received a peck between the eyes for the trouble.

No guarantees but you are probably fine. I would keep them away from any chicks though.

 

[Ashley McDaniel]

I have a female cat, Jasmine, who actually sleeps with my Silkies, including 2 three month old chicks. She lives in our garage, she was a stray that we began feeding and of course never left lol my chicks and one other 1 year old silkie too are kept in the garage due to how cold it is here where I live. Jasmine never showed any signs of aggression towards the flock, so I let her in the garage to meet the babies who are kept in a large dog crate. After a couple weeks I began letting the babies out to roam around the garage and kept a close eye on them. She's never tried to hurt them. And she sleeps on top of their crate cuddled up next to Romeo, my one year old Roo. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[NNYchick]

I think it’s going to depend on the animal. My cats first interaction with my silkies was my young roo puffing up and chasing him off, now he keeps his distance. But we had a drop off cat that was getting too close for my comfort and had actually went after my neighbors full grown LF. I would be watchful of kittens as they are more playful and can be quite rough with those sharp claws and pointy teeth when they play. I personally would not trust any cat around small young chicks.

 

[lazy gardener]

When I was growing up, I had a 17# cat who was an excellent hunter. He would regularly bring back rabbits that he caught out in the fields and woods. And my dad once watched him take down a fox kit. I did not trust him with my chickens. Fast forward to current flock. I had 2 cats who thought it was great entertainment to chase chickens. They never did anything past the "chase" stage. And once the chickens got some maturity on them, they would stalk the cats and grab at their tails, make the cats run! My last cat, after getting past the "make the chicken run" stage would often lay in the yard and watch the birds forage around him.

So, it's a matter of knowing your animals, and observing them. There is no "one size fits all" answer.

 

[Ashley McDaniel]

Right Lazy Gardner. You know you're cats better than we do. Some cats could care less, while others see lunch. But listening to everyone's experiences with their cats could give you some good insight, and also prepare you for what may come.

 

[Akrnaf2]

Yes, they think that they are tasty.