Hey, Steve. I'm sorry to hear what has happened but glad that you will continue on with chickens. Sometimes there simply are setbacks. Your post was a great one to remind others of the need for caution.
I know exactly what you mean about the chickens running to you for safety. My four do exactly the same, whilst I am supervising their contact with our 11 year old ginger tom cat. (He is the Spike in my user name!). He has killed small wild birds in the past so I watch him carefully during short "introductions" to the garden at the same time. The chickens are 14 weeks old now and are large birds (Australorp, RUR, Barnevelder & Silver Campine) so they are getting bigger. Even so, they have only just had their third "meeting". If the cat startles them, they run to me. The cat is then completely baffled (fortunately, rather than continuing the chase). The third meeting yesterday he just got up on his outside cushion and went to sleep, so he's getting the message. However, his instincts run deep and I will continue with only half an hour every few days when they're out together, so I can stay on high alert.
Good luck with your new chickens
I know exactly what you mean about the chickens running to you for safety. My four do exactly the same, whilst I am supervising their contact with our 11 year old ginger tom cat. (He is the Spike in my user name!). He has killed small wild birds in the past so I watch him carefully during short "introductions" to the garden at the same time. The chickens are 14 weeks old now and are large birds (Australorp, RUR, Barnevelder & Silver Campine) so they are getting bigger. Even so, they have only just had their third "meeting". If the cat startles them, they run to me. The cat is then completely baffled (fortunately, rather than continuing the chase). The third meeting yesterday he just got up on his outside cushion and went to sleep, so he's getting the message. However, his instincts run deep and I will continue with only half an hour every few days when they're out together, so I can stay on high alert.
Good luck with your new chickens