We're thinkin of raisin a few chickens in the back yard.......would a domestic cat leave mature chickens alone as they roam the yard or should I leave'em penned up all the time. Just one of the things I gotta work out before I build the coop. Thanks!
My bantam sized hens used to remain free all day long until a neighbors cat made a meal out of one of them. Now they live in their predator proof run unless I'm out there with them.
A few years ago I had a feral cat kill a white leghorn hen but my cats do not bother my silkies. I have seen the roosters chase the cats!
It varies. As a rule, cats will leave mature chickens alone but kill chicks. However, some people do have problems with cats killing their chickens -- usually feral cats. I think it depends some on the personality of the cat. My chickens are in a fenced yard. My cat watches and crouches outside the yard, and the chickens get a bit nervous and move away from the fence. I used to have a different cat and unfenced chickens. The cat would hide in the weeds and jump out at the chickens, but never touch them. After a while the chickens ignored the cat. In many cases a chicken pecks the cat and after that the cat keeps his distance. I've also seen pics here of cats sleeping in nest boxes.
cats are easier to train and chicken proof then dogs they get the hint quick chickens are part of the house hold but those same cats might take a shot at a grouse or a wild bird they know the diff. Even the chicks will be safe just takes a bit gettig use to.
