Predator? Pest! Chickens vs Cat *New Cat (??) Appeared*

speckledhen

Intentional Solitude
Premium Feather Member
18 Years
Feb 3, 2007
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Blue Ridge Mtns. of North Georgia
This darn black cat has been hanging around our house for awhile now. Other close by neighbors have even asked if we had a black cat. Today, the main flock was free ranging when I hear Isaac set up the alarm on the front of the house. When I run around the deck and look over, about ten of my hens and Isaac were advancing as a group on this cat, who is looking pretty unsettled by this point. Isaac has never been this close to any cat before, though some of my older girls will remember the last stray that took up residence in years past.

I call my DH who comes running and as soon as he sees the scene below us, the cat becomes more nervous and lunges and spits at the group. The entire group, with Isaac leading the way, beats feet outta there at top speed, all except for three hens, LOL. Neela and Alice, my blue Rocks, and Fern, one of my younger BR hens, aren't intimidated by the cat at all and continue to advance on it. I went down the steps and around the house and remember that I have a camera in my pocket so I whip it out and start snapping pics. That darn cat is looking at me like, "Hey, a little help here would be appreciated!". My DH comes around about this time with his pellet gun, only pumped up a little, and shoots at a big oak behind the cat to scare it off and it scoots off to parts unknown. I'm unhappy about this new resident since I have some 3 week old chicks who will be going outside from time to time in their new pen, which we will be covering, but it isn't done yet. And this stupid cat just waits for garbage to be put out that we can't fit into the can. I am not at all sure about this guy with my chickens, though none of the strays we've had in the past ever bothered them. I hope that if the cat actually has a screaming hen down that Isaac will go his roosterly duty, but he was a bit humiliated today, if you ask me, LOL.


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If he didn't bother the garbage, a raccoon probably would! I feed my local strays (who are sterilized and vaccinated through the local TNR program) a cheap food like meow mix to fill their bellies. My own cats get a high quality food, but with the strays, something is better than nothing, so meow mix it is. A big bag is cheap and lasts a long time. Only leave it out some food during the day, or else other pests will eat it. I'd probably start by leaving some cat food near the garbage cans, actually, since he associates that area with food.
 
I've got a rooster that does not clearly understand his duty is to protect his flock. Let's just say the rooster's replacement is in the incubator as of last night. That incident was with a neighbor's young pup. The pup was also chasing horses and cattle, but I have not seen it around for a few weeks. I do have decent neighbors.

I would also be concerned for those young chicks around that cat. Cats are generally cowards with anything their own size, but young chicks are real tempting.

Good luck!!!
 
I honestly don't want to feed this cat, which would encourage it to hang around here. I did feed one stray after it had been coming around for a year. He stayed two more years then I believe was killed by a fox. He never even looked at the chickens and when they met up on range, he ran the opposite direction.

Yeah, the chicks are what worry me. Till they are older, I'll just have to sit out with them when they're out, at least until we can get that pen covered.
 
I keep my own young cat in when the chickens are let loose because he runs at them and scares them. Found a hen hanging from the fence the other day, uninjured thank goodness, and am suspicious he is what caused this (I was out of town and believe my son neglected to keep up this separation.) It used to be that a hen or two would give a cat a good peck, and from then on the cat would keep its distance. Frustrating that none of these hens seem to have the sense to do this. I have several roos just starting to crow so I'm hoping one of them will figure it out. I also have 4 chicks in the broody pen (in the coop, maybe 5'x6') who I haven't let outdoors yet -- but I can tell I'll need to soon, so have to figure that out, too.

Wonder how you train a chicken to give a cat a good peck....
 
DeeDaa [the cat] would be entirely put out if I refused her access to HER chickens!
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She's even more protective of the chooks than Jasper the dog is!
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Come on Cyn! Give the poor little guy a break! I bet he's a great mouser. And everyone needs a good mouser around! Right? Right! Love the pictures of the intrepid three by the way.
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Gotta love a chicken who isn't....ummm....welll....chicken!!
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