Taking in a cat to live with the chickens?

[Willow's Meadow]

We have some friends that have a cat that they don't really want to keep anymore, to much work and they don't have time for the cat. So we might take the cat to live with us, since we have the time. But it would have to be a barn cat since we have some family members who are allergic. I would take care of him. Anyway we don't have chickens yet but are getting them in June. The cat is a smaller cat and has never killed anything in its life! He is docile but gets scared easily. With this personality would he be a danger to the chickens? I don't think he would but I don't know. I really hope it will work out, were probably going to try it and see how it goes. I hope they get along and he lives happily out in the barn. He's an indoor/outdoor cat now, he sleeps inside but is out most of the day. Any other tips for him as a barn cat and being around the chickens?

 

[redhen]

Just keep an eye on him with them. Some cats will do fine with chickens..and others (like one of mine) would jump on them and "try" to take them down...
A cat bite is mostly always fatal to a bird...

 

[Willow's Meadow]

any tips to make the cat's trip/tranistion smooth and secure for him?

 

[3chimama]

I have 7 week old pullets and I won't allow my cats to get near them till they are bigger...so afraid they will want them for dinner.

 

[ksalvagno]

Keep the cat some place in the barn where he can't get out. If you don't have an office or something, put him in a large dog kennel. Keep him in there with a litterbox and food for at least 2 weeks. Then they understand that that is their home. If he was an indoor cat and afraid of a lot of things, then it may be a rough transition for him. Good luck with him.