finally realize the chicks cant free range here

[Grass]

had to go purchase the wood for a run.i been getting real tired of fending off the neighbors cats.one almost had one of my chicks.they in for a surprise in a couple days.going to get some pics from start to finish.soon as the rain here stops.thought about building a small boat for the chicks with as much rain we getting lately. i think we've had one day in a week it hasn't rained.can't wait to get run done so i don't have to sit and protect my chicks.

 

[chicks for better health]

The rain just started here, looks like we will be getting wet for the next week. Good luck with the run

 

[DTchickens]

before you put your chicks in the run. always test and make sure its predator proof. cause if it isn't and something gets in there. all your chicks are dead.. Cornered. SO. after you get the run finished. Try putting a can of vienies (yeah i know a spelled it wrong). or sardeans (or nasty little smelly fish).. in the run., Over night. go out there in the morning. see if you got anything. or see if the "bait" is gone. If unharmed. and untouched. i would say put your chicks in there. BUT. you could try this for a few days.

 

[Davaroo]

Cats are usually a threat only to the chicks. Once you have a flock of adult chickens, most cats wont push the issue any longer. You may then be able to allow the cluckers to roam out again.

 

[bigmike&nan]

We have 4 cats, 3 of which are full grown, all are born mousers - always chasing squirrels and birds in our yard (we live on an acre). They LOOK at the chickens but don't want to tussle with them as our girls are pretty sure of themselves (Wyandottes)... One thing for sure to help with cats and most other predators (baring a cougar or coyote) would be a rooster... We had a aggressive rooster and now we have a real sweetheart of a roo. It's worth thinking about.

 

[Chickfever]

Between our cat and the neighborhood cats, we have about 10 here throughout the week. None of them come near our chickens. Our chickens are full grown (1 and 3 yrs old) and if a cat even starts to get too close, they get pecked. My roos cackle at them but the hens take care of themselves.