How worried should I be about feral cats?

[jentralala]

Getting into the run? The run will be 16'x16', 5 and a half feet tall, with 2x4 welded wire, and the 'roof' will be 18 ga galvanized wire strung every 4 inches. The chicks will not be let into the run until they are about 10 weeks old. It is common for us to have feral and stray cats roaming our neighborhood, some are friendly and some are very skittish. Should I be worried about cats getting into the run to pester the chickens?

So far our resident outdoor cat has shown no interest in our 8 week old chicks, but she is fat and content. I am not sure the danger a hungry feral will pose? We have at least one that has been skulking around lately, pretty sure it is living under an old shed on the property. I enjoy the cats for rodent and snake control, but I am worried about them harassing my pullets. Were they full grown hens I wouldn't worry, but at 10 weeks old I am pretty sure they are still on the menu for a hungry kitty...

The chickens will be locked up tight each night, but I am paranoid about daytime predators.

Has anyone lost pullets to cats?

 

[CityFarmer202]

No...by the time there 10 weeks old, all the feral cats (and our cats) where actually kinda scared of them. If a cat does stick his paw through the cage, the chickens will peck him. I would only be worried about feral cat and chicks unless the baby's where still really little. Bantams that age could be a problem if the cat could get in their to eat it. My chickens will actually even chase away my dogs, which won't eat them, but will steal their food and pester them Dogs may be an issue if they can get into your yard.

 

[chickencoop789]

No. I have about 10 feral cats that live under my neighbor's porch and none of them have any interest in my chickens.