family cat....

[peepmeister]

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!

 

[angusshangus]

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.

 

[peepblessed]

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!

 

[Judy]

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.

 

[animals1981]

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.