Will cats kill chickens?

[HannahKline14]

I'm getting 2, 3 month old barn cats and was wondering if their raised around my chickens will they attack or even kill them. We have seen some mice in our barn that's why we're getting them, but I do have bantam sized silkies and don't want the cats to hurt them. (We don't free-range unless we're outside but there is a fence that they go in that just has bird neting so hawks don't get them that the cats could definitely get In.)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

My cats personally will not kill birds, even chicks, quail, hurt bantams, ect. But we do suspect a feral cat killed one of our hens based on the remains and where we found them.

If they grow up with birds then I think they'll be fine. Do you have large or bantam birds?

 

[neo71665]

Full grown chickens, not very likely. I wouldn't let cats around any chicks alone.

 

[HannahKline14]

My cats personally will not kill birds, even chicks, quail, hurt bantams, ect. But we do suspect a feral cat killed one of our hens based on the remains and where we found them.

If they grow up with birds then I think they'll be fine. Do you have large or bantam birds?

We have all large chickens but 1 bantam sized silkie

 

[HannahKline14]

Full grown chickens, no but I wouldn't let cats around any chicks alone.

Ok thanks

 

[The Happster]

I have heard of a cat killing fully grown chickens, I'd imagine it would have to be a pretty interesting cat though.
I have had cats that chased them, but he was playing.
I let my cat around my chicks after the first couple weeks.
As soon as they reach the 'squirm' stage.
Basically when he can't carry them easily in his mouth because they're awkward and they wriggle.
He doesn't bother them.
It really depends what your cats are like.
I did have a feral cat that very nearly caught one of my three week old chicks. I just leapt at him in time.
Just wait until they're big enough not to be at risk.

 

[MarkJr]

I have a 16 lb cat. I was seriously worried about chicks until they were 3-4 weeks old. He didn’t hold interest on them past that point. He ignores the hens and full grown pullets. He had an issue with our RIR rooster and would tackle him at least once a week.

Now. We are talking about my cat, who brings something dead in from outside 4-5 nights a week. From jack rabbits and digger squirrels, to hummingbirds and bluebelly lizards.

I personally don’t see you having any issue with all but the smallest chicks

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Our incident was a feral cat, so odds were they were hungry enough to attempt on the lone hen and some how succeed (she was a fighter of a hen)