Kittens and chicks

[kezabel]

I don't think you really have to worry about a cat eating your chickens but maybe chicks though. Our 2 cats (ony got one now) don't bother the chicks at all, My cat likes to watch them when she's laying in the sun but actually one of our bantam hens chases her out of the yard if she gets close to them. When we first got the hens i thought the cats would think they were dinner because they love chicken cat food but they get along well, our kitten got too close to one and got pecked on the nose, she jumped back 3 feet in fright, she learnt her lesson lol

 

[justmeandtheflock]

My cats are scared of the chicks when they are in the brooder but it is another story when they are outside. I have to keep a close eye on them or kitty will pounce. I don't thinkit will be a problem when the birds are bigger than the cats but for now it is Chickens are new to them. As far as crossing the road goes, I don't know how you would do that. Females tend to wander less than males in my experience but there is always the exception.

 

[Ducklove334]

our cats don't bother the chickens, they never have.

most of the chook, 'specially the hens can get nasty with the cats,

I came out the other day to find that the big Light brahma had one of the cats PINNED to the ground pecking at his head!, the cat was hssing and spitting, and clawing, trying to get up, what was it all about?, the CATS food bowl, MIL didn't pick up the feed bowl for the cats, and the chickens think it's theirs. when you put together the over all size of the chicks, compared to the cats, we have a several smaller cats, and the chickens tower them.

that and the amount of damage that a chicken can do with beak and claws,.

well, the Brahma got kicked across the field before she killed the cat.

ANY kitten or young cat is going to test it's boundries, what would happen if when the cat and chicks were older the young cat killed one after all your "training"?

if you've got mice, by all means, get a cat to control them, or get some muscovies.

but don't expect to "train" a...in a sense, a WILD animal.

especially a cat, who will always view a young chick as either, 1. something to play with, or 2 food.

ETA: there really is NO way to keep a cat from wondering, even altered cats will wonder and set up a territory, we have 4 intact toms, and they're all lazy lumps, they stick around the house unless theres a girlie out there beckoning them with her "spring and summer needs".

 

[tonini3059]

Yeah, my cats never bothered the chickens. The one is my lean mean killin machine. She kills everything from frogs to full grown rabbits and she is now going on 15.

 

[mrbstephens]

PLEASE don't let your guard down like I did. I thought my 1 year old kitten could be trusted while my 8 week old chicks were free ranging. Next thing I know one of my darling chicks was dead. My kitten had pounced on it and bit it once in the head. My chick died instantly. It's in a cat's instinct to pounce and bite. It doesn't mean they will eat them though.

 

[BigPeep]

Nice discussion people. Thanks. I get the feeling that Davaroo doesn't like cats. Just a theory.

Squirrels went through the lids on my Rubbermaid lockable trash containers in one night. The metal containers sweat and spoil the feed, so I got a metal assemble it yourself shed today. Now I need someone from NASA to help me put it together.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Absolutely not true. I like cats immensely and have 6 around TizNotta Farm, right now. All God's creatures and all of that, you know...

But you gotta look at life with a factual eye. Looking at it it through rose-colored glasses only leads to eventual trouble.
Cats are predators, plain and simple. That they don't normally mess with GROWN chickens comes as no surprise; they prefer discretion over valor. However, smaller birds and chicks are fair game for them.

Just as with most people, your wise not to overlook their true nature. Fortunately, cats don't stand much on pretense and their nature is pretty well known.

 

[Rolsjo]

Well said.

We got our cat for the purpose of hunting and he is good at it. It would have been foolish of me to have him anywhere near the chicks because I've seen what he does to small animals. I know even now that there is a chance, although a small one because of their size, that he could attack our chickens. He's a very tough cat so I'm still careful about knowing where he is when the chickens are out.

I must admit I would even be reluctant to take a very tame house cat and have it around small chicks. Other indoor cats I've had would pounce on anything that moved. Toys, cords, a torn-out hem, an ant. It's how they were designed. That's why I am always amazed to see pictures of cats with small chicks. It is unbelievable to me because all of the cats I have owned had such a strong prey drive. So what is different about your cats?

 

[BigPeep]

Davaroo: The comment about you not liking cats was based more on your avatar which shows you, or someone, using a cat to shine his head

 

[chooniecat]

I agree you need to watch chicks until they're older and ANY cat you get(feral,tame,in-between) should be considered a potential threat but the GREATER MAJORITY of cats will NOT bother larger(2 month) chicks. and ALL cats should be neutered(no if-ands or buts). if you are a breeder(checking health of queen/tom subsequent kittens) then OK. if a cats a hunter its A HUNTER testicles/ ovaries or not. I have NO visable rodents on my farm but they're there because I DO get the occassional rodent in my snap traps(which are enclosed in sheds or small boxes) thus keeping my own critters away from them. there is a cat rescue in ohio that adopts neutered ferals to farmers that agree to feed them. feeding them is important and once again-a hunter is a hunter- fed or not. I have had neutered cats for 40+ years(worked at teaching vet hosp. in central ohio) and they are EXTRAORDINARY hunters. have had the occassional slouch but loved them anyways and my snap traps never let me down. good luck and love(neuter) any working critter you get.