Do chickens and cats mix?

[Benelli]

I do have mice in the chicken's feed room and coop. I just couldn't bring myself to deal with them since my husband told me a story about the "ceremonial" mouse. Long story, but he's had to send home 21 soldiers killed in action from his battalion in the last 90 days. Just about every time they've had a "ramp ceremony", this little mouse shows up amongst soldiers feet that are bidding farewell to their fallen comrades. This little mouse has brighten my dh's spirits during some rough ceremonies. I didn't have the heart to put out traps after he told me the story, but it sounds like the kitten showing up is a sign that it's time to say goodbye to the mice. Either that or it knows I've been feeding kitty food to the chickens & peahens as treats!

 

[wordgirl]

Our barncats and chickens get along just fine. My cat call and my chicken call sound quite similar and when I call the cats, sometimes the chickens show up. And when I call the chickens for a treat, OFTEN our two girl cats will come to see what I have.

We feed our barncats on our deck, and ever since the chickens realized it, we are constantly having to chase them off. They'll even fly up onto the picnic table when I put it up there.

The stinkers.

We introduced the chickens to the cats I think when they were about as big as cardinals, holding the chicks in our hands. When they were a little older, I would take a few of the chicks outside and let them peck around in a little pen. The cats did like to watch them, and may have a couple of times tried half-heartedly to pounce on them from the other side of the fence. But now they pretty much leave each other alone, except for sharing food.

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

We have 2 neighborhood cats who like to hang with the chickens, they all dust bathe together, look like roadkill on their sides in the dusty holes.

I'm glad the cats come over, the chickens hold their own and chase them sometimes, and they seem to catch an awful lot of chipmunks.

 

[KDbeads]

I have 9 cats in the house right now that were never exposed to chickens before August of this year and a pullet in the hospital crate. One of the cats likes to clean her, the others want her to play with them, and one even wants to eat out of her food dish with her. Once a chick is big enough to look them in the eyes, and I have huge cats here so think 6 to 8 weeks old, the cats don't harm them intentionally. They think they are new playmates

 

[ksalvagno]

My barn cats go in the chicken coop and drink their water and hang out in there. They don't eat the feed and they don't bother the chickens. I wouldn't trust them with chicks but full grown chickens seem to be fine. I have 5 barn cats.

 

[Tala]

My cats were very interested when I first got chicks. I think they thought they were toys. I was very gentle with them, and simply pushed their paws away. They learned that chicks were family too. Now they sit on my lap while I watch the chicks.
Occasionally the neighborhood cats stalk or chase my hens, but the rooster takes care of that. No injuries or losses on my side.

 

[Benelli]

I think she's staying and I'm naming her Spot. She seems to like hanging out with the "gang" too much to send her away. Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[hen-thusiast]

Quote:
Congrats on the new addition!

Let us know when she gets her first mouse!

 

[DAFox]

I'm glad you decided to keep the kitten. I have 8 cats. 3 of them were adults before they ever saw a chicken. Occasionally, a cat and chicken get nose to nose, but then the chicken chases the cat.
The only mice and rats I ever see near the house or coop are dead ones.
Good luck with Spot.
Dale-Ann

 

[Boo Strange]

I think she's staying and I'm naming her Spot. She seems to like hanging out with the "gang" too much to send her away. Thanks for the info everyone!

Awww so glad to hear that! What a lovely story