Opinions and Experiences with keeping cats in coop

[TaraBellaBirds]

I have got an insane amount of mice in my coop right now. It is an old coop connected to the garage so we close up holes as best we can. The biggest issue is that I have a severe allergy to rodents which causes anaphylaxis. Traditional traps are just not taking care of the problem.

Has anyone had experience with raising coop-cats?

I was thinking that if they were raised in the coop at a young age, coupled with my broodys, they might learn not to mess with the chickens.

 

[CityFarmer202]

do you have a rooster?? Most will quickly teach a cat not to touch his hens. Also, are the birds in the coop all the time, or are they free ranged during the day. If the cat it cooped up with the birds 24/7 in a smallish space, problems are more likely to arise. Good luck

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Yes to both. I have a large flock, getting bigger every day LOL, with two permanent roos at the moment. I free range on days that I am home, and they have a large run for days that I work, plus my coop is HUGE. The cats would have full roam of a large property but would be kept in the coop at night, in theory LOL.

 

[CityFarmer202]

I would give it a try. I would get a kitten or small cat and leave it in the coop. If the birds are full sized, most likely after the first peck or 2, the cat will learn to respect them. A cat usually won't kill a full size bird, and will at most bat at it a little. Chicks would be in danger though. Sounds like it would be a good set up for them Hope it works for you!!!

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Great, that is what I was hoping for. I plan on getting at least two males (don't want kittens) and want them at least 8 weeks old. Too small and my broody may have THEM for lunch!!! I have a calico house cat that loves to hang out in the run/coop, so they are used to cats around, but at 13 years old she is not much of a mouser anymore.
Thanks for the advice, now the fun part is picking out new kitties!

 

[CityFarmer202]

lol your welcome!! Have fun picking out the new kitties!!

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

We got three males last week. They are doing wonderful, the kittens and the chickens are 'playing' together and the chickens let the kittens know who is boss. So far so good!

 

[Pinkaboo]

I was worried about my cats with the chickens but now the chickens are older its fine
They will all lay together in the sun!
I wish I'd got a phot yesterday of cuddles the cockerel lay in his side sunbathing
He looked so cute

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

These kittens are just for mousers in my coop, I have a severe allergy and these cats are the safest way for my birds to reduce the mouse numbers in the coop. They are so good together and I love to watch everyone exit the coop in the mornings. Everyone is impatient for breakfast and crowded by the door! Nothing cuter than 30+ chickens and three little fuzzies waiting by the door for me every morning.

 

[6of6chicks]

That's adorable - and what a creative solution to the mouse problem!