How do I keep cats away from chicks.

[chickfriend1797]

I'm planning on getting chicks and need to know how to keep my two cats from bothering them. Is there anyone who can help? The chicks will be indoors for their first few weeks before they're coop ready.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! How exciting for you to be getting new chicks Keeping the brooder covered but so it has plenty of ventilation will be needed. Please do check out our brooder section here for some great ideas -~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs

Good luck with your new chicks and enjoy your time here on BYC

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, chickfriend1797, and

! Glad you joined our community! I can't be of much help as I have never had an issue with my cats bothering my chicks of chickens. No special training or anything has taken place. I mean, how do you train cats anyway?

But they are secure from the cats while in the brooder and then by the time they are of a certain size - coop size - the cats just leave them alone. So, I think it's all about taking care of them in the early stages and then by the time the chicks are bigger the cats either don't want to tackle them at that size (although I don't know if this is true - my cats drag back whole rabbits) or just recognize them as part of the "family."
Here's a link to old threads where cats and chicks are discussed. Maybe you can glean some good info from them. Good luck to you and thanks for joining BYC!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=cats+and+chicks

 

[drumstick diva]

Please make sure you have a wire top on your brooder that the cats can't claw away or push off- they will try. A few weeks back some new member showed us a big stand up high walk in area roofed, wooden frame and hardware cloth that surrounded the brooder, and he locked. That's how certain he wanted to protect his chicks from his housecats.
That's probably what it takes.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Building a secure brooder is your first step - you can further protect the birds by placing the brooder in a room or place that can be shut off from the cat(s).

 

[N F C]

You've received some good ideas so I'll just say hello and thanks for joining us!

 

[RodNTN]

I am glad you joined us! You've already been given some wonderful ideas, so I'll just say thanks for joining and best wishes!

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under chickfriend1797

Welcome!

As you have already received some good advice, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock when they arrive, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[TheSUSIE]

Welcome!!!! I have just joined as well and I am having a total blast with other chicken gals! I have a cat and when we were keeping our chicks indoors in our brooders we made a top with chicken wire nailed into wood! It was very helpful!!! also when our cat got curious I swapped him on the nose and told him no! I kept a close eye on him until he left them alone. If you cat(s) get too curious just show your cat its place.

When we moved them outside, our coop is enclosed fully, he tried to climb on the roof of our coop! we let him because we have a roof, (and also i couldn't reach that awful little guy!) Now hes perfectly good and never hangs around the coop. But i still keep a close eye on him! thats my advice... WELCOME TO THE FLOCK