What about cats?

[rachel]

Last night I heard one of my hens squawking, I looked out back and there was a cat stalking our 4 chickens. It was a neighbor's cat (I'm not sure which neighbor) not a wild/ferrel one. We have no rooster because I'm in the city and we aren't allowed. Now I'm worried about letting my chickens free range all day. Do any of you have experience with this? Will the hens poke at the cat and defend themselves or will they become dinner for the cat?

 

[Wolfpacker]

I wrote this on a thread a couple of days ago:

The reason I asked is because we have a LARGE 16+ pound cat who we let out on a little tether every once in a while when we're outside with him. Last year when I had my 3 RIRs I decided to see what would happen if I brought him out while they were free ranging.

As soon as they saw him, they puffed up and started strutting TOWARDS him. They were coming after him and he ran to the end of his tether. I picked him up and took him back inside while the girls returned to their scratching.

I had no idea chickens would go after a cat, but they sure did.​

 

[Poison Ivy]

It really depends on the cat & the chickens. My outside cat is great doesn't care on bit for the chickens. The chickens don't bother the cat either. They get along great. Now my indoor cat might be another story. He likes to watch from the windows and makes a funny purring sound. Like wow look at that yummy lunch! I don't trust my min pin either he's to hyper. All you can do is if you see the cat come near your yard. Spray it with water every time and hope it gets the idea that chickens means getting wet. A big chicken might be able to fight off a cat I know a few of mine wouldn't have a problem at all. But so far mine get along great.

 

[silkiechicken]

Chances are a full grown chicken is not going to have a problem with a cat. Chicks are another story. My cat though ignores even the smallest of chicks as long as she has seen me touch them.