How Are Your Cats with the New Chicks?

[Laurajean]

I of course am not planning to leave my chicks where the kitties could get to them, but I am curious what others experiences with their cats and new chicks have been. I'm trying to figure out how to set up a box with a light, but still keep the cats away (I don't have the chicks yet, just preparing). I imagine I will have to keep the chicks in a separate room to be safe. I just hate to segregate them since my goal in starting with chicks is to socialize them early on.

What are your experiences with your cats and chicks?

and

What arrangements/set-ups have you taken to ensure their safety with cats in the household?

Thanks!

PS: Once they are bigger, they will be outside and my cats are strictly indoors; I'm just wondering about the "indoor chick" stage.

 

[b.hromada]

When my girls were small, I really didn't have trouble with my cats. Like you say, I wouldn't leave them alone with them. But I've found that most times, the kitties couldn't
really care less.

Good luck.

 

[Morgan7782]

I have one older cat and when I had my chicks a few years ago, he was ALL about KFC! When they are chicks, they are much.. more prey looking to a cat I think. Once my chicks grew up, they put the cat in CHECK. Pecking him, scratching at him, and he never bothered them.

However, I have 4 two week old chicks now, and a new cat who is 1 year old. THIS cat is ready to scarf my chicks down. I keep him out of the room where the chicks are housed. But I am confident that when they grow up they will be able to defend themselves MUCH better, and my cat will most likely back down.

From what I have read on BYC, Cats don't post too much of a threat to GROWN chickens, but the chicks are another story. My advice is do not introduce them until the chicks are much older, purely for their sake. I know if my Sampson kitty had the chance, he would be having some bbq chicks. So I avoid any interaction until the chicks are grown.

 

[WhetzelMomma]

My cats are outdoor cats, and haven't seen my little chicks, but I can say that while they are infatuated with the hens (and have been from day one) when they are in their tractor, they don't try ANYTHING with them when the hens are free ranging. They even come running and share table scraps with the chickens when I take that outside!

 

[lillypug]

My cats are Devon Rexes and when they see or hear the chicks they get a hungry look in their eyes. They are not ever allowed near the babies.

 

[miss heny]

my cat is scared of them

 

[acid_chipmunk]

My cat could care less about the chicks. My outside cats like to watch them through the run, but otherwise don't bother them.

 

[yomama]

My chicks, that are now 4 weeks old, are in a brooder in the laundry room. That is also where James, our 2 year old kitty is fed and hangs out. Surprisingly, when I moved the chicks in there at two weeks old, he could care less. I have a fairly large brooder, but I also made a lid that has a wood frame with chicken wire. I knew that James would want to walk on the lid, so I made little support beams that he could walk on. Surprisingly, yesterday was the first time I actually saw him, ever so casually, sticking his paw through the wire. I think it is because the girls are much more active, flying around alot more. I definately would not trust him with out the lid. The other day, I was careless and left the lid open while changing their water. I walked in the laundry room, and James was in the brooder! Everyone else was at the opposite end. No one made any noise!!! I am wondering if he jumped up there, thinking the lid was on, because he looked a little confused when I came in there as saw him. He didn't hurt or even touch any of the girls, but he immediatley got a firm NO! and sent outside. Since then, I don't let any other pets in the laundry room while I am cleaning or changing waters. I think as with any other pets and as stated in many different posts, animals are animals. They do have instincts. It is alwasy better to be safe than sorry.
I will add that I have 6 outdoor cats, and they could care less about the adult chickens I have outside. They haven't seen the newbies yet. We will see how that goes. I have a feeling a few will be interested, just because they are avid hunters.

good luck!

 

[lillypug]

My cats are Devon Rexes and when they see or hear the chicks they get a hungry look in their eyes. They are not ever allowed near the babies.

 

[Kittymomma]

My cats leave me "gifts" on the front porch daily, I would NEVER trust them with chicks. I don't have any problems with them bothering the grown birds, but it's just not worth the risk to tempt them with chicks. After all, they're only cats. I wouldn't trust a high prey dog with my chickens either and my dogs have way more respect for me then my cats do.