domestic cats

[SkyWarrior]

I keep my chicks behind fences -- and quite frankly with all the wildlife in Montana, I figure they're safer in the barn. Free range=free food out here.

First night I got the chicks, I had a mountain lion stalk my barn.

We have bears (black and grizzly), mountain lions, bobcats, wolves and coyotes. A couple of ferals is the least of my concerns.

 

[chesterjet]

We have 3 cats that are always outside during the day. They are really intimidated by the chickens. My chickens run after my cats!

Montana.

 

[elf]

I have 2 cats that I claim and care for, at least 3 feral or stray cats that seem bulletproof, and 3 of their almost grown kittens that I'm trying to tame to give away. Some of these should be desperate for food, but don't give my 20 freerange chickens the time of day, even when the chickens were young.Sometimes the cats run from the chickens. My only losses were one to a hawk and one to 2 dogs.

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
I didn't have any song birds left around here when I bought my property. Feral cats were EVERYWHERE along with some of the neighbors cats. Since all the cats caught a serious case of lead poisoning the birds have miraculously reappeared.

And cats WILL kill full grown large breed chickens!! Especially if they are experienced hunters. One bite to the back of the neck is all it takes.

Ok, call me cold-hearted, but I just about died when I read that. I'm terrible, I know, but it was just too funny.

 

[rooster0209]

I have 11 cats (all spayed/neutered) they avoid the chickens and guineas..big time. My birds free range all over the farm yard. I have seen my cats zig zag across the yard to avoid the birds. Some of these cats are excellent hunters too. Lizzy actually killed a weasle by the coop last spring.

One stray spent the winter in the hog house..aka..my coop, with the chickens. I couldn't get the cat out, it would hide in the corner under some stuff when I would walk in. I put a food bowl out and she drank out of the community chicken water dish. It keeps its tail very close to the body.

I wouldn't lump all cats in the "they will all kill the chickens" category. If you are worried about that cat, if you can..when its pouncing...spray water on it. This breaks them of all sorts of bad habits. (mine don't climb the screen patio door anymore)

 

[joe_p]

I would not say you can lump all cats into the chicken killer category but it only takes one cats that is able to take one down to bring tragedy to the back yard. You never know what cat is going to wonder into your yard so I would say keep them safe.