Opinions and Experiences with keeping cats in coop

[donrae]

I live in a farming and ranching community. Most people want several cats to take care of the small rodent issue. It doesn't make sense to spend near $100 an animal just to have them eaten by hawks, or coyotes in the first year.

This is the same around here. I finally got all my females spayed, but my males are unaltered. They may leave to mate, but they sure find their way back here at feeding time

. Cats are part of the food chain here, or the highway circle of life, so they're a minimal expense animal.

 

[jaytoddmartin]

Thanks for all the great information. I too have a similar mouse problem in a larger chicken coop (it's a condemned house i converted into a real chicken house, lol). I was curious if you used a litter box at all in your operation, or if they naturally went outside? Any additional info you can provide would be great.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Thanks @donrae , I was afraid everyone would judge, because I don't 'love' them enough to spend a fortune to keep them 'safe'! They are well cared for, but that doesn't change the fact that they are working animals not pets. We love them, feed them and will take care of any injuries they may get. Other than rabies vaccines (which is a must here), they don't go to the vet.

@jaytoddmartin I'm glad I could start a thread like this. As far as litter box I never bothered to try. They go outside of the chicken run, although one did try once, a swift boot in the tuchus took care of that problem (no kittens were harmed in the making of this comment). Mine seem to use the bushes out back of our property. Fortunately cats naturally seek privacy when going, so they don't go in high traffic areas.

 

[donrae]

I think some folks do judge, but you nailed it when you talked about the difference between working animals and pets. There's the same division regarding chickens on this board...some folks regard them as livestock or working animals, some folks as pets. Neither way is wrong, they're just different approaches. Same for cats...some folks treat them as pets, some of us as livestock/working animals. Just different schools of thought

. I don't judge someone for keeping a cat in the house full time, and I don't expect to get any negative responses about having barn cats.

 

[aart]

I see nothing wrong with having cats live in a barn, but think cats that run free like that should be neutered/spayed.
Has nothing to do with 'love', but feral 'domestic' animals....like 'dime a dozen barn cats'.

The title of this thread asked for opinions, that's mine. NFM.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

To me it depends on the animal and what people expect of that animal. I have the three coop-cats that I got for the express purpose of dealing with my mouse problem. I choose all males because I do not want kittens, and females tend to be more territorial and my calico is queen here. My boys and I enjoy them but they are here to do a job, that is why I feed and care for them.

I also have a 13 year old calico, Luna, who has been my constant companion for 12 years. I got her (rather she choose me) for companionship. A job with which she has fulfilled and then some.

The same is true for my chickens, some have become pets and others have more practical purposes. Some will be eaten, some sold, and some will have a home here until they die of natural causes (my EE pullet Scarlet is an example there LOL)

@aart I agree that pet cats are much better off if they are sterilized. My precious Luna had one litter and then we spayed her, she is a healthy and happy old woman now! Okay maybe not so happy at the moment, she is not happy it is raining and somehow her kitty reeeeoooows (swear that is the sound she makes) are saying it is all my fault.

She hates selfies

 

[donrae]

Is it just the angle, or is her tail exceptionally long?

I love calicos--cats and chickens both! I just love colorful animals, I guess. Here's our most recent, creatively named Cali....



And my he's-not-really-a-pet-as-I-keep-reminding-myself, Pete. Not a calico, of course, but I had a pic of him so I had to put it up. He's my coop cat

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Is it just the angle, or is her tail exceptionally long?

I love calicos--cats and chickens both! I just love colorful animals, I guess. Here's our most recent, creatively named Cali....



And my he's-not-really-a-pet-as-I-keep-reminding-myself, Pete. Not a calico, of course, but I had a pic of him so I had to put it up. He's my coop cat

No her tail is pretty average length, just a funny angle. Awe Cali is lovely, she has a sweet looking face. Is it just mine or do calicos have an attitude problem LOL. Did you know that they are a genetic mutation? Fascinating animals http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/dox/calico.html ! I love colorful animals too (as a kid I wanted a calico cow) that's why Jubilee Orps are on my must have list! My youngest thought your Pete was our Fire!!!! Pete looks to be a big boy.

 

[Fentress]

Mice need a place to hide. Keeping the floor picked up combined with securing food sources can also help with mice, for those who don't want cats.

 

[My8chickens]

When you brought your 3 boys home to live in the coop, did you just put them out there and hope they saw that as their new home? I, too, am having a rodent problem in my coop. I recently lost my kitty unexpectedly, and I'm not ready for a "house cat" yet, but I think we would benefit from a coop cat. What was your experience bringing them home to your coop?