We've heard alot about dogs, but...

[HobbyChickener]

probably not the most humain way but i caught a cat in the pen. I locked the door and sent my oldest rooster in for about 30 seconds. Opened the door and haven't seen the cat since!!! I am not sure but I think the bird was laughin when the cat ran out....Sorry cat lovers.

 

[PurpleChicken]

We have two cats, one stray and one irresponsible neighbor's,
that stalk near our coop. They're not interested in the chickens.
They want the chipmunks that hang out around the coop. I don't
even think they are a threat to the chickens and probably help
keep other predators away.

I'm not a cat person. In fact, I wish it was legal to hunt and eat them.

I've loaded my pellet gun, sighted in the cat, and then just couldn't
pull the trigger.

So, when they come around, I put Sandy the Hound to work.
She's all too willing to chase them away.

A stray dog would be a much bigger threat to my family, dogs, and chickies
than a cat. That's my micro view. My macro view is cats are a threat to
natural balances and should not be allowed to roam free. Pet owners
need to keep their animals on their own property, whether it be a cat,
dog, chicken, goat, gecko, gerbil, or especially a goldfish.

 

[PurpleChicken]

BRAVO HobbyChickener!!!

 

[Chickenlover88]

I have had many cats and none have gone after my chickens. Right now mine are only 12 weeks old so they wouldn't even think about going after a chicken a small bird or lizard maybe. I have had many cats though and all were well fed and outdoor cats and none have ever gone after my chickens.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Quote:
Is this the same Sandy that we watched a video of...scared of the neighbor's cat?!?!?

 

[Chirpy]

I agree that one of the best parts of this forum is that you can hear so many ideas from so many people. There have been things said that really got me to thinking and that's always good. I don't have to change my mind or view but I might ...

We moved to 40 acres six years ago. We had mice running across the kitchen, living room and bedroom when we moved in. We could literally sit at the dining room window and count close to 100 ground squirrels 'playing' in the front yard... just the front yard (a space about 15 feet by 40 feet!). Multiply that by a few million (so it seemed around the rest of the property and we were completely inundated with the little buggers. We had a couple of sprained ankles from stepping into their holes. I couldn't afford to have my livestock step in the holes and break a leg.

A week after we moved in we got two kittens, a sister and brother. My husband and son have severe asthma that is exacerbated by cats so the kittens grew up in the garage and barn. We had the male neutered before he was five months old but wanted the female to have a litter so we could keep the kittens ourselves. She did have a litter (it's amazing how the local roaming Tom cat finds the ready, willing and able young female) and we kept all the kittens except two (an older friend in town wanted a companion in her apartment) and my mom wanted one. They were all neutered and spayed, including the momma cat.

Our cats (six of them) have all their shots maintained, get vet checkups and are loved, petted and played with every single day by our children. They are outside cats though. Their job was to decimate the mouse and ground squirrel population ... they've done an absolute fantastic job!! We love them and would love to have them in the house but that can't be. They all stay here on our property and always come running when called to get some lovin or milk.

My "mamma" kitty brought home a weasel baby a few years ago. Thanks to her we know we have weasels here and were able to build our chicken coop/run accordingly. We've never seen weasels so that was a big surprise to us. We had garden snakes around but since the cats grew up ... we've not seen one by the house or barn. Even though I'm not worried about garden snakes with my chickens (at least the older birds) it's good to know our cats are keeping the creepy crawlies away from the area.

I have to give great credit to my faithful dog as he is the best watch dog also ... he protects the cats from the coyotes, foxes, skunks and raccoons and keeps all of them away from the house and barn. Although the raccoons are a huge challenge.

So, even though I've personally always been a big advocate of inside cats (especially in town) I've learned that our barn kitties are a huge help and vital part of this homestead.

 

[mudhen]

Quote:

That is too funny! There is at least one cat that won't ever go near chickens again!!

 

[wendy]

Quote:
you don't let the kids think any different do you? i think that is a good idea all schools should have a employee bring there dog and not let the students know

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Is this the same Sandy that we watched a video of...scared of the neighbor's cat?!?!?

Well, ya got me. I knew I shouldn't have posted that video of wimpy dog.

She's willing, maybe just not able. The racoons run away from her. :>

 

[AccidentalFarm]

LOL, I thought so! Hey, chasing coons off is way better in my book that chasing dumb 'ol cats!