introducing 6 mo old stray kitten to chicken flock

[lalaland]

I have a young stray kitten, obviously used to people, that showed up starving. Was so weak it could barely walk and was a skeleton. A week later, he is doing much better. Going to the vet tomorrow for a check up and will get spayed when he puts on more weight.

I've given him a small empty coop for a shelter, but the coop is in a main run. I have indoor cats and cant add a third cat to the household, but I'm willing to have him be a barn cat. He watches the chickens but doesn't pursue them - most are heavy breeds except for a few smaller icelandics and legbars.

In the week that he has been here, the chickens have lined up at the fence line and checked him out, lots of squawking. Today he wandered into the coop while I was doing chores, and there was general hysteria among the flock.

Anyone have advice? I 'm hoping he can live in one of the coops and share chicken water over the winter. I can provide food and shelter via hay boxes. (winter is brutal in northern minnesota)

 

[welasharon]

Mine mix just fine. One of my indoor cats wanted to chase them so I sat outside with a water hose and let her out. I'd watch and just as she'd crouch I'd spray her. I never said a word. After a few times she quit. To this day she steers clear of them. I think she thinks they squirt water.

 

[lalaland]

were your chickens freaking out? mine get hysterical and are flying up in the trees and onto the roof of the coop.

 

[nayeli]

Just supervise them together. If the chickens trust you then take her in with you and make her stay next to you while you pet her... then offer them treats. They will calm down if she and you are calm and come closer for a favorite treat!

 

[lalaland]

thanks. Unfortunately, the poor cat had to be put down, he had feline leukemia virus and was actually about 2 1/2 years old. very stunted growth. Vet said even if I kept him away from my indoor cats, he would infect other cats and was facing a hard brutal death, so it was better to let him go. I cried like a baby, but at least his last week of life was pretty decent. still missing him...had coffee with him in the coop every morning and sat with him every evening so he would have some affection, etc.

 

[nayeli]

thanks. Unfortunately, the poor cat had to be put down, he had feline leukemia virus and was actually about 2 1/2 years old. very stunted growth. Vet said even if I kept him away from my indoor cats, he would infect other cats and was facing a hard brutal death, so it was better to let him go. I cried like a baby, but at least his last week of life was pretty decent. still missing him...had coffee with him in the coop every morning and sat with him every evening so he would have some affection, etc.

You might need your cats checked if its contagious. You rubbing him etc then your cats might cause it to be transmitted.