Opinions and Experiences with keeping cats in coop

[TBirdsTheWord33]

My daughter has two neutered male house cats, and we've successfully brooded 6 groups of babies in the house without a problem. I was nervous at first because her cats kill and eat mice that are unfortunate enough to get in the house, so I didn't know how they would react to the babies. Fortunately, and to my surprise, they never regarded the babies as prey, even on those rare occasions when the door to the "chick room" was accidentally left open or one of the cats got shut in. One is even motherly toward them! I haven't tried it personally, but I think the idea of having a coop cat is an excellent one...depending on the individual temperament of the cat, of course!

 

[aart]

Quote: Several reasons, Pro and Con:
Rodent control.
I like cats, in general (just don't want one in the house).

Piss and poop all over in the gardens.....or digging with a terrier(no freaking way!).
Can't afford (financially and/or emotionally) to take responsibility for and manage yet another pet animal....which covers the terrier suggestion as well.

So I use traps for rodents(mostly just mice, no rats), enjoy my one remaining very obedient dog(who obsesses over mice, but can't catch them worth a darn) and hoping one of the stray cats I see often cruising thru my land might take up residence(not likely, which is probably a good thing in the long run).

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I see, yeah I wouldn't like cat poop all over either. Thankfully I haven't had any rodent issues in a long time.

 

[LavrisChica]

@HeritageGoose13

Yes, there is such a program. Yet, I just cannot imagine them doing so well in the coop with chickens. I called them a while back, and seems they bring them in off the city street, yes fixed, so they are truly feral - which is not what I desire - as well as they require I keep them kenneled for 4-6 weeks to acclimate them in hopes they don't run off. Eh. Maybe ideal for someone who wants strictly outdoor-don't-touch-me cats. lol.

I like having them indoor as well. I love my furry friends as much as my feathered ones. We cuddle.

@aart
Thanks!

For the input and for the compliment on my story-writing.

Cats do seem more of a challenge to "train" yet do prove "trainable" per my experiences, just not in the same ways as my canine pals. Thing is, I've had better trained felines than my canines, and vice versa - just depends on the animals' character. I am truly a cat-personality, though. I love my dogs (two GS), don't get me wrong, yet they require so much more of my undivided attention (especially when I am not wanting to give it), than my cats do. I understand the cats' mentality of "pet me only when I want it and I'll determine for how long...thanks, see ya 'round" as I'm very similar to that myself. lol. What can I say? he he he

And well, my GS...they just don't have the self-control mastered that my cats do. Their mouths water and its ON! I'm like the mad-hatter chasing them around trying to keep them from munching my birds. I've rescued two from their jaws of death, and unfortunately a few more I failed at being the bird-hero. I just KNOW that I am quite the entertainment to the neighboring homes (father-in-law in one, and sis-in-law in the other: both of whom literally sit at their windows watching our property). Both GS know better, but just cannot resist the temptation. Shrug. First the drool drips from their chops, then this glazed giddy look of twitterpation comes over their eyes, the jaws twitch uncontrollably, a bit of a gusty sigh exudes their lips and, well, too late to stop what comes next. Happens in a flash one can only catch it completely in slow-motion-replay per the mind. SMH. lol

 

[aart]

Well, my birds are confined (much for the same reasons I don't want a yard cat) so I don't have to worry about the dog getting them.....
.....and I think he'd be more afraid of them as they've pecked him thru the fencing whilst he scavenges 'snacks',
but you never know, so they stay on opposite sides of the fencing and everyone's content.

My present pup is much less annoying and way more obedient than my previous dogs...and kinda more like a cat as far as needing/wanting petting and attention.

 

[LavrisChica]

I see, yeah I wouldn't like cat poop all over either. Thankfully I haven't had any rodent issues in a long time.

Too funny! I have not had any issues with the cats 1) pooping everywhere or 2) digging in my gardens. (of course, we have 80 acres for their leisurely depositing)

My cats, well, they delight in leaving their "presents" for the moles, voles, and gophers as they deliberately seek out the freshly dug mounds to deposit such gifts!!! And then very neatly, cover it up.

 

[LavrisChica]

Well, my birds are confined (much for the same reasons I don't want a yard cat) so I don't have to worry about the dog getting them.....
.....and I think he'd be more afraid of them as they've pecked him thru the fencing whilst he scavenges 'snacks',
but you never know, so they stay on opposite sides of the fencing and everyone's content.

My present pup is much less annoying and way more obedient than my previous dogs...and kinda more like a cat as far as needing/wanting petting and attention.

Mine are free-range. I've considered adding another fence down the middle of the property for division purposes, but, eh, not really digging that idea too much. Right now the GS have their own fenced acre+ that they have free run over when I cannot take the time to properly supervise them. Running them with the 4-wheeler wears them out almost enough to keep their desire for eating poultry to a minimum, yet cat? Different story! So, the cats go in when the dogs roam. Win/win.

 

[aart]

Quote: When I had indoor / outdoor cats they had plenty of room to roam (not 80 acres tho)....they always picked the nicest softest soil... to 'soil'.....my vegetable and flower gardens.
Nah, not having it..am over it...at least for the present(never says never).

 

[LavrisChica]

When I had indoor / outdoor cats they had plenty of room to roam (not 80 acres tho)....they always picked the nicest softest soil... to 'soil'.....my vegetable and flower gardens.
Nah, not having it..am over it...at least for the present(never says never).

I understand that! I'd be totally frustrated and over it, too!

 

[HornyChick]

My house cats go out most days and they will kill any mice in the yard and they get along with my chickens. They often play together, the cat will tag a chicken and the chicken will run away and then come back and chase the cat its pretty funny, they know not to hurt the chickens. Here is my cat Simba running with the chickens