- Feb 2, 2013
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Hi. we live in a suburb of Portland, OR and I just moved our three chicks, now on their way to chickens, from their brooder into their big girl coop in our back yard. I was hoping to, and have been, letting them free range during the day and then I lock them up safe at night. I know it's possible to have racoons and opossums around here (although I haven't seen any in as long as I can remember, usually when they become a problem you see them dead all over the roads) and we do have your run of the mill gray squirrels. I was just alarmed by three loud chicks and could tell by their behavior something was amiss...I went out to check on them and a neighbors cat was perching on my fence above where they were foraging. I have read that chickens will attack a cat and once a cat is pecked they won't come around again. Is this true for younger pullets as well? I have seen one of our pullets run after and try to attack our puppy, but she is timid around them to start and half the size of an adult cat. We also have a cat, who is interested in the chicks but has not yet tried any funny business. Any thoughts? I really don't want to keep them "cooped up", and while I can build a larger run for them to move around the yard if I have to, I really prefer not to. Thanks in advance!