Is this a problem?

[kcsunshine]

My cat tried to stalk my hens and once they chased him around a building (this is no lie - he was running so fast when he came around the corner, he was laying on his side), he has never been anywhere close to them again.

 

[friskebluegills]

We have 2 cats that live outside, one was adopted by us and one is a stray, but even the stray doesn't mess with the chickens. If the cats smaller than the chickens I really don't see a problem with the cat. Are your chickens in at night? I only ask because a couple years ago, owls almost whipped out our duck population.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
My rabbit chases my cat; and then they turn it about and the cat chases the rabbit, then turn about over and over until they are all tired out. Then they snuggle up together for a nap. The cats pretty much ignore the chickens, even the chicks after an epsode or two with a rooster. But they will catch and dispatch full grown roof rats; supposedly cats are not large enough to take them on. They never read that manual.

 

[Patoot]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll put up a small fence on the part of the fence that is shorter than all the rest and do what I can to discourage her hanging out around them since she's not my cat. Then it sounds like I should be okay based on what you have all said.

Oh, and someone asked about them being in at night...yes, they put themselves to bed right around dusk and then I shut their door. The only thing that could get in the coop is a mouse, but I haven't seen any of those. There just isn't any openings.

Thanks for the feedback.

Bree

 

[beachchickie]

It really depends on the cat and the hunting instinct they have. If they have a strong hunting instinct they will try anything. If cats can get inside your fence what makes you think other predators can't? I have not seen racoons in my yard but that doesn't mean they are not around and they could get inside if they wanted. Opposums are every where. I got rid of a family last yr and have not seen any since but I know it is a matter of time. I don't know of any place that is predator free. I need to move there

 

[Patoot]

I am not worried about night time critters because the coop is very secure. I'm sure of it. Plus, it is unlikely that I will get one of those critters because I am in a very urban area, but I know I can't rule it out. There are dogs in all the yards near my house that would deter critters. My fence is attached to my house and is concrete most of the way around all the way under the ground. They would have to scale tall fences (which I know is possible) to get in the yard and that would have to be after that got into my neighbors' yards because of how my yard is in relation to my house. I can't even bring my lawn mower out back without having to wheel it through the house because I can't get to the backyard from the front. It's an odd set up. Anyway, I've never seen a dead possum, raccoon, or anything like that anywhere near here for road kill. I'm not saying it isn't possible for them to be around, but I think they are closer to the base of the mountains. I have seen a couple skunks and prairie dogs for roadkill, but that's about it. I do know it's possible, but I really am only worried about daytime guests and that would be cats and hawks. I can only cover them to prevent hawks and I'm not going to put them in a small area for that reason alone. I never hear hawks, we have small cats and dogs in the area and I've never heard of one nearby getting scooped. Doesn't mean it couldn't happen, but that's a chance I'm willing to take to allow the girls to free range. I was just worried about the cat. I'm going to go ask the neighbors if she is a hunter. Maybe I'll even ask them to bring her over to see what she does with them if they are secured so they won't get hurt if she decides to pounce. Maybe one will peck her and that will be the end of it.

Thanks. I do appreciate the feedback.

Bree

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Sounds great. However, if your girls free range, you are at risk of losing one, however small.
Hawks will attack and kill a full grown hen and they migrate at different times of year. Others here have said a hawk swooped in and carried off a hen 5 feet away from them and almost flew into their heads while they watched helpless. In city settings.

Dogs can break into yards, PGE meter checkers can leave gates not firmly latched, wild animals with nowhere else to go are adapting to urban living, using the gutter underground system to wander through our neighborhoods and into our yards and trash, etc.

I dont' expect to see a bear or mountain lion in my suburban yard anytime soon but besides someone's pet dog or cat, there are possum, raccoon and skunk in my city and at times in my yard. Rats are always a threat, and hawks are often cruising overhead.

I let my girls free range unsupervised everyday while I go to work. I have a securely fenced yard and dogs that get along with the chickens that would hopefully deter predators, but of course not all.
I just accept that they have a better life but with some risk and I may lose one someday.

Hope all continues to go well for you and yours.

 

[Patoot]

I'm willing to take the risks with hawks to allow them to free range. There is always a cost/benefit/risk analysis and I think the benefit of them free ranging is better than the small risk of the hawk thing.

I talked with my neighbor. She said the cat does hunt often. She is going to bring her over on a leash in the backyard and we're going to see what she does. She thinks we will be able to make the cat afraid of the chickens if she isn't already afraid on her own. There are 4 of them and she is littler than them. She said we can squirt her with water if she goes near them, but I don't know...we'll see. I'm hoping she is afraid of them and they chase her!

Bree

 

[CATRAY44]

My cat just looks at the biddies and moves on. I have never had her try to get one, even the bantams. She will hunt and bring home many other things, though.

 

[mommyofthree]

Quote:
Same here!! I have 4 outdoor cats and they are all afraid of my chickens now that they're full grown. There are also 6 more cats across the street that come over from time to time and they all leave my chickens alone. I've seen the chickens go after the cats many times and try to pick fights with them, the cats always run away. It's hilarious!! As long as the cat is fed regularly and is not starving it should not be a problem.