Hello! I have another Free Range question...
One of my neighbors has an ungodly amount of cats - last count was 14. A few days ago, as I was sitting in the run with my chickens just observing and trying to assess their pecking order, I saw one of the cats walk right up to the run (didn't even notice me until I stood up, it was so fixated on the chickens). I believe the cats have also been trying to claw their way into the coop - it is 100% secure (in fact, I think they have given up trying), but it makes me nervous to let them free range. Will chickens (I have 10 hens and 1 rooster) defend themselves ok from cats (normal house cats, not feral cats), or is it best to forget about free ranging?
The cat will jump in the middle of the chickens get flogged and never mother then again. I have a cat who catches squirrels, rabbits, snakes, etc. Even he runs from the chickens. Chicks are safe here to as long as they have a broody to protect them.