New Kitten

[Delaneygraces]

hello! We picked up a kitten from a friend a couple nights ago. We’ve had problems with cats chasing chickens, and we don’t want to risk having one who wants to kill. Any suggestions/ideas on keeping this kitten from killing chickens in the future? She is currently in a pen in the garage (to learn this is her new home), being brought inside twice a day, but will soon be turned loose.
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[cavemanrich]

Look at my Avatar. I have cats wall to wall. All outdoor cats.
Well, not exactly, but many. These are feral that have been neutered or
spayed so I do not end up with more. They do not bother my chickens. They were VERY INTERESTED when I had Baby Chicks, so kept those in a cage until grown. They were also Very Interested in my Adult Pigeons as well. but left chickens alone.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[LaurEliz]

I've never had a cat that has bothered my chickens, so I've never had to worry about this. I also have made sure to keep my younger, smaller chickens inside and away from the cats, though, as I have had cats that would stalk the bird feeders and kill the poor birds that ate there.

My suggestion regarding any animals is to introduce them when they're young. If the kitten is still small, I'd try to introduce her to the chickens while she's still smaller than them so she will potentially be a bit afraid of them and less likely to go hunting one.

 

[Trish1974]

My suggestion regarding any animals is to introduce them when they're young. If the kitten is still small, I'd try to introduce her to the chickens while she's still smaller than them so she will potentially be a bit afraid of them and less likely to go hunting one.

Great advice! I also have never had that problem. I have the opposite problem...my CHICKENS chase my CATS!

@DelaneyMGB25 Do you have a rooster? If so, he will train the kitten to leave his hens alone!

 

[Delaneygraces]

Great advice! I also have never had that problem. I have the opposite problem...my CHICKENS chase my CATS!

@DelaneyMGB25 Do you have a rooster? If so, he will train the kitten to leave his hens alone!

I sure do! He doesn’t like her to much, and steers clear. The kitten isn’t afraid of the big chickens, but she’s terrified of the smaller chicks.

Thanks for all your advice!!

 

[Settlers Grove]

hello! We picked up a kitten from a friend a couple nights ago. We’ve had problems with cats chasing chickens, and we don’t want to risk having one who wants to kill. Any suggestions/ideas on keeping this kitten from killing chickens in the future? She is currently in a pen in the garage (to learn this is her new home), being brought inside twice a day, but will soon be turned loose.
Thanks in advance for any help!

We have 2 kittens that are about 9 months old and they don't bother the adult chickens, but have eaten several of our 8 wk old chicks. Make sure any chicks are very well protected. These chicks were pulled through the fencing that is about 1"x3" rectangle grid. And keep the cats well fed.