I would never trust cats - especially outside cats - with baby chicks. I usually wait until the chicks are at least 4 weeks old, sometimes older before letting them free range.
I love it! I live on the MN prairie - I'd have to pull them along the clothesline to the hot tub of water...
What is your rooster's breed?I had a brooder set up 3 years ago in my garage, where my two outdoor/garage cats live. They don't bother the chickens, but the look my male cat, Tillie (accidental girl name - short for Matilda), would give me makes me think the cheeping was pure torture. But he'd much rather do tricks for food, and just nap with the chickens. He's going blind, and he has some inner ear problems, but gosh he's a fun cat, and my rooster, Butch (died last month - neighbor dog), would lead him around the yard with the flock.
it most certainly does depend on the cat because I got one that's afraid of his own shadow and another one that will hunt a squirrel but are tame a Ferrell cat will defiantly go after a birdIt wouldn't hurt to take the time to do a little training on your cats. That's what I have done in the past and it works rather well. I just let them see the chicks from the beginning and correct any overt hunting/stalking behavior the presence of the chicks provokes. Never had to correct twice. YMMV I'll be doing the same training on young cats this spring, though I'm thinking the broody hens just may help with that endeavor this time around. As to the size of the chicken.....I guess that depends on your cat.....
