Kittens and chicks

[BigPeep]

Now that I have chickens and some other livestock I have a feed security problem with various rodents. I was thinking that if I got a kitten and raised it right in with the chicks (separated by a cage from the actual chicks) that it might grow up not to view them as food and only go after rodents. Does that work?

Also, how do you keep the cat from crossing the road. Our last cat was flattened by a Ford. (I joke now but I was also crushed at the time).

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Wow what a cool idea! Wonder if it would work.

I have four cats and have pretty easily conditioned all of them to leave my cockatiel alone. The bird is only in his cage at night so we needed them to understand not to eat roommates. Easiest to train were my Himalayans - they're too lazy to be bothered, but then, they may be too lazy to work at chasing rats, too, although mine have occasionally brought a gift to the doorstep.

Maybe a domestic shorthair?

I think if you're willing to put in the effort, you can make it work. My cats backed down pretty quickly once they got too close and got pecked. Might be best to bring the kitten in when the chickens are full-size and a bit more intimidating?

If it works, let me know!

 

[cherig22]

I have a 12 yr old, a 6 yr old, and an 8 month old. I have had chickens and chicks for a yr and a half. Once they realized the chicks and chickens were mine, they never messed with them. The older ones must have taught the younger. Chicks are always in cages til old enough to move outside, but I raise them in the house, and only the kitten ever even wanted to look at them.

Apparently they told their feral buddy, cause she leaves them alone too.

This one is when the kitten was very young, sharing water in the fountain.

Cheri

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

My cats don't bother chickens or chicks. In fact, one of our cats climbs in the brooder at night and sleeps with the chicks!! I have had cats that killed my parrots and those cats got rehomed. And...I haven't seen a rat here since I have lived here - 10yrs.

 

[Rolsjo]

We kept our cat away from the chicks when they were small because he is a hunter and has caught several small birds on our property. Now that the chickens are bigger he leaves them alone. He has gotten rid of most of the mice in the house, garage and barn. Good kitty!

 

[Davaroo]

Another cat vs chicken thread?
Man, there are just too may posts lamenting the loss of chickens to carnivorous, predatory animals - previously thought to be no threat. I mean consider those words: "carnivorous, predatory animals..."

I'd consider any cat guilty until proven innocent - which usually happens (through no small coincidence) when the chickens get too large to mess with.

Until the birds get up in age, I'd separate felines and chickens.

 

[citrusdreams]

I have no idea how to train cats. I'm sure it can be done though. And I think it's a great idea. But be careful, cats can be prey to the more troublesome predators too. If you're going to keep them in with your chickens, after they're trained, I'd lock them in with the chickens at night.

Cherig22, those are awesome pictures. My dogs are like that with the chickens too.

As for a food security issue, why not lock your feed in one of those trash bins with locking lids? I keep my feed in those walmart plastic containers. While it's true that mice can chew through that, they don't unless they know food is in there, like when it cracks or when the lid breaks. I love those plastic containers for feed. I love those aluminum lined barrels with locking lids too.

 

[YellaDog]

We have 5 cats that are rodent hunting heroes. None of our cats show any interest in the chickens at all. The chickens and the cats are free-range. One of the cats goes into the coop with them sometimes. The mouse population seemed to get worse after getting chickens too, but a cat will surely solve any problem. I couldn't tell you how to keep a cat from crossing the road though. We've had two cats hit, but both survived...you wouldn't believe what a good lesson that is! If those 2 hear a car, they get the heck out of the road and they do it fast. They do a great job with shrews and moles too.

 

[gaduke]

My cat gets along well with the chickens.

 

[Davaroo]

I wonder if we didn't fatten our kitties on store bought food and make their lives as comfy as can be... well I wonder if their interest for chickens would increase?

Just thinking out loud here.....