Free ranging cat and chickens?

[Magical Garden Girl]

Before I acquired chickens I have my cat, who loves the outdoors and hunting rodents and small birds. When I first got my chicks of course she was super interested and stalked them, which I discouraged and chased her off. I only saw her full on chase after them once and I yelled and chased her off. As the weeks went on, I got more comfortable and started leaving the house with them free ranging and I knew she was outside somewhere. They were always fine when I would return and I continue to observe her watching them all the time. It's been three months now, she has had many opportunities to get one, but hasn't. This morning I found her hanging out IN the coop, at the entry, just watching them. I don't mind at all the idea of them mingling together, as long as she knows not to attack them and at this point two of them are bigger than her and I don't think she would even try, but I was just curious what people's experience has been with their cat and chickens. Do you think it's safe to assume she's not going to go after them at this point? I feel like she has to know they are off-limits, she sees me holding them all the time and I scared her off so many times from stalking them, she knows better now, right?

I'm new to BYC but I know cats and cats and chickens And my buddy down the street has cats and chickens and worked with the Humane Society

Yes - cats can kill chickens. Depends on the cat. If your cat is a hunter then it's a chance. Hopefully you know your cat. My cats aren't unpredictable that way so we are fine. They seem to have an agreement. One is scared to death of the chickens and she so small the chickens could peck her to smitherings. The other is a docile Ragdoll who thinks they are strange looking cats and actually has nice interactions with them. I wish I had a camera with me the day I found them all in a row bathing. Three chickens dusting and a cat licking himself silly

When I first got our coop I let our Indoor outdoor cats check out the coop once since it was in their yard and chickens were new. But once we built the pen it was decided to keep the cats away from the pens and the coop.
First - that's the chickens house not the cats and they need a safe haven too. Boundaries are good.
Second- cats don't wipe their feet after going into the coop
Third- when I free range - and the cats are outside I keep an eye on them.

Personally I would not let the kitties in the coop anymore - and watch em when together

 

[Folly's place]

Right now I'm watching my fairly new barn kitty with her first experience with a bantam broody hen and bantam babies. The mama and babies weren't outside until the chicks were two weeks old, and mama is vigilant! Kitty is very careful around the chickens; she was from a city dumpster, and was horrified to see those big chickens last year! A lonely young chick would not be safe, but all she wants are the mice. Mary

 

[K.Riggs]

It would be good to have the whole 'outdoor cat' conversation elsewhere; the OP was asking about the safety of her chickens. Mary

The OP also made a point to say that the cat enjoys killing birds so one would have to expect there might be a comment or two about that since it is a conservation nightmare that is decimating many species. I live on an island with many threatened animals, some of which only exist here, feral cats and roaming domestic cats are a BIG problem here. I was just voicing an opinion. It's always worth having that conversation, the existence of many vulnerable species may depend on it.

 

[Magical Garden Girl]

The OP also made a point to say that the cat enjoys killing birds so one would have to expect there might be a comment or two about that since it is a conservation nightmare that is decimating many species. I live on an island with many threatened animals, some of which only exist here, feral cats and roaming domestic cats are a BIG problem here. I was just voicing an opinion. It's always worth having that conversation, the existence of many vulnerable species may depend on it.

No worries here - I know everyone has their own perspectives and realities and they can differ.
Lindsay Wildlife Center and Hopsital is big here in my area and I have rescued many a wild bird in my day. Some were caught by cats and of course I've had an earful from volunteers. I know they care and that's why I let it go. There are many perspectives.
I can only control my actions and keep mine within the fence of the yard for the most part. Mine are all fixed and immunized and checked on constantly when outside
Peace

 

[Latitude33]

Thank you for posting this question.

 

[User395221]

I have 3 cats, I've never seen them have the slightest interest in my chickens nor my pet birds who are inside. I can get my cocky out for playtime with my cat(s) around, they just keep on sleeping.... You have to assess your own animals and consider what risk they represent. My cats are all kind of old now and never were hunters, so I think they like sitting around until dinnertime rather than chasing things about.
Oh, and my chickens can stick up for themselves to some extent. They chased my newest rescue dog about when he tried chasing THEM.

 

[Magical Garden Girl]

My cats don't care. They like their feathered friends. But the chickens get a little mad at the cats. They often chase them around the backyard.
View attachment 1134262 View attachment 1134263 View attachment 1134265

Adorable kitty! Looks smart
Nice chicken coop - area!
Love the photos

 

[Petra Pancake]

We have a lot of stray cats in the area. One of them lives around our house (though we never feed her and chase her off on sight). She unfortunately has eaten several one month old chicks this summer and I have seen her looking at my safely locked up Bantams with that sort of unrestrained greed... In short, I wouldn't trust a cat with chickens. Especially not young chicks or Bantams.

 

[TeeMom]

Our cats have always been strictly indoor cats. I would have NEVER had an outdoor cat...until I moved to the country, got chickens and their coop was being overrun with mice. We tried trapping, but they get wise to that, and I'm just not comfortable with poison as I have small children and dogs about. So...I adopted a kitten and actually put him IN the chicken coop. Now, we have a large coop and he has his own brooder pen that he can come and go at will, but it has worked like a charm. Just his presence seems to have deterred the mice. We have had 3 broody hens with chicks this summer and haven't lost one chick. The mommas are fierce and if he's shown an ounce of interest he's paid for it. I'm probably an outlier in this debate, and maybe I'll regret it one day, but this experiment was a risk I was willing to take given the circumstances. He and the chickens free range during the day and they're all locked in the coop at night.

This is Cooper, the coop cat...im pretty sure he thinks he's a chicken.

 

[User395221]

This is Cooper, the coop cat...

He's sweet. Pretty boy.

BTW, not all cats hunt. They learn it from their mums, and if mum isn't a hunter, they won't be "indoctrinated". Obviously there's an instinct in there to eat, so they will grab something if they're hungry, but for a domestic cat that has dinner put out, some just never want to grab anything. I've had instances where a mouse has got in and I've been standing there asking the cats to intervene and they've just gone "you must be kidding" and gone back to bed