I have a cat and am concerned about getting chicks, any tips on how to separate them?

[black_cat]

I have searched high and low for started pullets that can come at the times that I need (every link on 10 pages of google) but have come up empty handed. I would LOVE to raise chicks, but am concerned about getting them because of my cat. He has a reputation for giving lovely gifts of dead (or half-dead) chipmunks. I had a plan to try to familiarize him with chickens that were a bit bigger, but am having trouble finding those. Has anyone else had similar problems? I don't know how I could keep him away from the chicks, does anyone having tips for keeping cats separate/familiarizing them with chicks?

 

[NewBoots]

I would never try to train a cat to leave chicks alone. Is there a reason you can't just cover the brooder?

 

[DobieLover]

I have searched high and low for started pullets that can come at the times that I need (every link on 10 pages of google) but have come up empty handed. I would LOVE to raise chicks, but am concerned about getting them because of my cat. He has a reputation for giving lovely gifts of dead (or half-dead) chipmunks. I had a plan to try to familiarize him with chickens that were a bit bigger, but am having trouble finding those. Has anyone else had similar problems? I don't know how I could keep him away from the chicks, does anyone having tips for keeping cats separate/familiarizing them with chicks?

Do you already have your coop and run built and predator-proof? I would just brood them directly in the coop with a brooder plate or momma heating pad. I've never brooded chicks in the house and never would.

 

[black_cat]

Do you already have your coop and run built and predator-proof? I would just brood them directly in the coop with a brooder plate or momma heating pad. I've never brooded chicks in the house and never would.

I don't have them set up yet, but I had honestly never really thought about that? It sounds silly, but I guess it's just because all the chicken owners I know (all three of which have chicks right now, coincidentally) have set up brooders in the house/garage. I'll think about that, thank you! Ideally I'll find some started pullets, but now that chicks are becoming more and more likely I'll start some brainstorming.

 

[DobieLover]

I don't have them set up yet, but I had honestly never really thought about that? It sounds silly, but I guess it's just because all the chicken owners I know (all three of which have chicks right now, coincidentally) have set up brooders in the house/garage. I'll think about that, thank you! Ideally I'll find some started pullets, but now that chicks are becoming more and more likely I'll start some brainstorming.

Chicks hatched and being raised in the coop maternity ward with mom.

Last brood I raised in the same setup using a brooder plate. Lowest temp experienced by chicks was 23F when they were 8 days old.

If you don't have your coop and run built and ready to go, you should hold off on the chicks regardless.
They will need 4 sq ft of space per bird in the coop and 15 sq ft per bird in the run/coop total area. It takes time to get a predator proof setup.
If your building skills are limited consider modifying a shed into a coop.

 

[black_cat]

Chicks hatched and being raised in the coop maternity ward with mom.
View attachment 2156523
Last brood I raised in the same setup using a brooder plate. Lowest temp experienced by chicks was 23F when they were 8 days old.
View attachment 2156525
If you don't have your coop and run built and ready to go, you should hold off on the chicks regardless.
They will need 4 sq ft of space per bird in the coop and 15 sq ft per bird in the run/coop total area. It takes time to get a predator proof setup.
If your building skills are limited consider modifying a shed into a coop.

Yes, I have been planning to hold off on the chicks/chickens so that I have time to get everything set up. I might decide to put the brooder in the coop when it is set up, seems like a really good idea.

 

[NewBoots]

Yes, I have been planning to hold off on the chicks/chickens so that I have time to get everything set up. I might decide to put the brooder in the coop when it is set up, seems like a really good idea.

I put my 5 day old chicks in the brooder in my coop and the night temperatures ranged down to 31 degrees at night. I also used a brooding plate.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you don't have your coop and run built and ready to go, you should hold off on the chicks regardless.

x2! A mistake many of us have made is to get chicks first, then end up scrambling in bad weather to finish coops.

And I also brood outdoors. I currently have 1 week old chicks outside.

 

[Gabtods]

We’re first time chicken owners and also have a lovely cat that LOVEs to leave us presents on the front porch We have our chicks set up in a brooder in the basement bathroom , and just keep the cat out. It’s worked well, but I do wonder if they’ll ever be able to free range with our cat around ... I guess I’m surprised I haven’t heard more of cat attacks on (even full sized ) chickens! Well it’s a learning curve all around good luck with all!

 

[mailmamm]

My chicken free range in the evening with my three cats also in the yard. The cats have at times tried to sneak up on the hens but the hens turn on them and the cats beat feet away.