Domestic cats and chicks unite

[FlowerFarmer]

My chicks are only 4 weeks old, but I was wondering about what age do curious cats stop 'stocking' the chicks. I have to put him inside because he looks a little too interested in them when they go out to range the yard. Any thoughts?

 

[BarefootMom]

I would wait awhile.

I have a siamese cat and he now tolerates the chickens (because they are bigger than he)

BUT when we had them in the brooder on the back porch we would lay on top of the cage and watch them. We waited until they were about 8 weeks to let them free range and Bucko (the cat) didn't try anything with them but there were 28 of them and only 1 cat. lol.

My new kitty (half grown kitten) sleeps with the chickens- so I don't know how she will be around the chicks...(she even sleeps in the nestboxes lol)

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, my adult chickens used to get stalked by the cats, until one day, through the run fence, the cat and my BO stared at each other nose to beak. The cat's whiskers were all curled forward in that "really want to get this" mode. Buffy pecked that cat right on the nose. Just curious, actually. The cat almost somersaulted backwards. The other cat had the same thing happen with the Black Australorp.

Neither are the least bit interested in chickens any more. They actually walk past them, now that the chickens range freely. But the chickens are full grown...

 

[BellevueOmlet]

My cats were always very curious with my chicks but I never let them get too close. At about 1 month, I held my cat up to the chick and he did not do anything. I was spending a lot fo time with the chicks and the cats saw so I think they knew that they were not to be eaten. Now they all hang out in the yard together. I would be careful and play it of the safe side though, it would be horrible to lose your chicks and you never know what might excite the cat and cause it to attack.

 

[ColbyNTX]

The cat will kill a 4 week chick but it shouldn't mess with an adult, at least more than once!

 

[Stacykins]

Pretty darn sure my cat would kill a chick if given the chance. I held one out for her to sniff, and she licked the chick's head a few times, then tried to take a bite. The chick was unharmed, but the cat was disappointed she couldn't have a popcorn chick snack...

 

[vtchickenlvr]

I agree, wait until the chicks get bigger! Then, the cats will still be curious but more wary than curious! I did worry alittle more about my silkies and Banty, every once in awhile the cats would give alittle chase.