My kitty cat

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

So, my cat, his name is Storm, the one in my pfp, likes to stalk my chickens, but he won't attack them. Should I be concerned?

 

[Jeanw]

Cant say for sure, but I’ve spoken to folks with very large flocks and a lot of experience and they worry about their dogs killing their birds, not the cats. Maybe a cat might go for a lone chick if they get the opportunity. When I free range my hens I worry about flying predators and roaming dogs or coyotes. The feral cats never bothered them.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Cant say for sure, but I’ve spoken to folks with very large flocks and a lot of experience and they worry about their dogs killing their birds, not the cats. Maybe a cat might go for a lone chick if they get the opportunity. When I free range my hens I worry about flying predators and roaming dogs or coyotes. The feral cats never bothered them.

Thanks!

 

[Alaskan]

Depends on the size of the chickens...

Young ones, or tiny bantams... I could see the cat killing them.

Growing up we had a cat that hung out at the coop... she was fine with the grown hens, not the chicks...

We didn't have bantams.. so I am unsure where the size cut off would be.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Depends on the size of the chickens...

Young ones, or tiny bantams... I could see the cat killing them.

Growing up we had a cat that hung out at the coop... she was fine with the grown hens, not the chicks...

We didn't have bantams.. so I am unsure where the size cut off would be.

I have 3 full grown game fowl and 2 full grown seramas along with two 12 wk old seramas, two 7 wk old ayam cemanis, and a 7 wk old layer hen.

 

[birdlover2]

We had cats that used to stalk our flock of grown chickens. But when they attacked/got close enough to pounce, they got pecked in the head and chased off. Usually after that happens one or two times they stop trying. Never had any chick disasters either though we were sure to keep the brooders away from cats and to keep them in enclosed spaces till grown. I don't know if a cat would go after chicks protected by a broody hen, but I'd say it's much more likely if chicks and pullets are just thrown into the flock and are outsiders.

 

[Alaskan]

I have 3 full grown game fowl and 2 full grown seramas along with two 12 wk old seramas, two 7 wk old ayam cemanis, and a 7 wk old layer hen.

No idea... but seramas sure all small.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

No idea... but seramas sure all small.

Yep. Real tiny things.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

So, my cat, his name is Storm, the one in my pfp, likes to stalk my chickens, but he won't attack them. Should I be concerned?

I wouldn't worry about the full grown chickens, but if you have chicks or bantams keep an eye out. My old barn cat used to come hunt mice and rats in the main chicken yard and he never bothered any of the adults. He did show interest in the chicks though so I always had to keep him inside during hatching season. He once killed a wild rabbit nearly twice his size though, and carried it back to me so I wouldn't doubt a cats ability to kill a grown chicken.

 

[Boobumpbeanbear]

We had a cat grab one of our 7 week babies by the neck to run off of with, we managed to rescue him and clean him up, he lived for another 10 years but we never let the chickens free roam until they were big enough afterwards. I think ours were about 15/16 weeks this last time.
The adult chickens we have they dont bother at all, infact the chickens chase the cats its funny.