I love my kitties, but...

[drumstick diva]

Alot of predators are "drawn" to infant helpess animals, their yip, or cry, or peep tells them this is easy pickings. I believe you are right that once the chicks stop peeping and make adult noises the cats aren't interested.

 

[allpeepedout]

Quote:
I'm not that big a fan of chicken wire, but that would be a little more secure than that plastic stuff for the top of your run. Plus it doesn't weigh too terribly much.
My sister has had chicken wire on the top of her run & it has held up, but it does succumb to the elements. She had a small cat get through it, but it probably fell through a weak spot.
I am very happy to hear you diverted your cat-tastrophe!
I have 6 cats but they don't look at my babies in the brooder like they are their next meal, fortunately. They are probably desensitized by my doves. If one of the cats puts their paw on the cage, they'll peck it. I didn't teach them that, I swear!

Yes, good point, and I plan to put welded wire on kennel top. I have never seen a cat scale a 6' chain link fence, and wasn't prepared. (Plus, she is quite the actress and pretended that the chicks were soooo boring!) She's fierce and determined though -- all 6 pounds of her can run the neighbor's Shiba Inu out of the yard. Love the cats but love the chickens, too. Will be happy when they are bigger and I hope the roo does his job.

 

[columbiacritter]

Once they are bigger than a pigeon my cat has no interest at all. Even bantams will chase him off. The Large fowl actually hunt him pretty mercilessly. He regularly take down full grown field rats that look like small possums so it's not the size of the bird it's the attitude.