Google said its not a good idea but my chickens are separated with an electric fence and I've seen cats free ranging with chickens. What is everyone's opinion on cats living with chickens? And by the way will feral cats eat chickens? Will a well fed cat go after chickens?
Can cats live with chickens?
- Thread starter Brad18
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flowerbug
Sustainability Master
probably yes... for a few moments... but also probably not a great idea...
i used to live with somone who kept birds and would even let them out in the same room with their cat which when it was younger was a very able hunter of pretty much anything smaller than itself.
one time we were laying on the floor enjoying the warm sun spots on the carpet from the large windows and the birds were about and a few of them started moving away like they were being chased. the kitty cat tensed up like it was about to spring and then looked at me - i looked back...
semi-feral or feral kitties will gladly eat anything they can catch.
i used to live with somone who kept birds and would even let them out in the same room with their cat which when it was younger was a very able hunter of pretty much anything smaller than itself.
one time we were laying on the floor enjoying the warm sun spots on the carpet from the large windows and the birds were about and a few of them started moving away like they were being chased. the kitty cat tensed up like it was about to spring and then looked at me - i looked back...
semi-feral or feral kitties will gladly eat anything they can catch.
Mini Horses
Sustainability Master
Definitely will go after chicks. But my ninja hens take action fast and furious! My chickens free range, my cats are 7 feral, & 3 wandered in tame. They do hunt mice but give my chickens space. In fact...leave them alone and walk right on by them.
Moon888
Lovin' The Homestead
I have trained my kitty to be around my birds (2 guineas, 3 pea fowl, and 2 chickens) ... At first they would eye each other from the other side of the glass windows and doors. Now I put kitty on the lead, and leave him outside, where the birds come up to him. Sometimes the birds or kitty will jump out at each other (I think playfully?). I do believe that they will soon roam together ... I have had cats most of my life, and have always discouraged them from chasing birds. Some may say "cats are predators, and they should be chasing birds, its their instinct". Much the same as some people let their dogs bark incessantly, because "they are protecting me, the house or their territory". Some people take their dogs to training school, to break "bad habbits". Yes, cats and dogs can exist in the wild, and now they are classed as "domestic animals". Well, do we teach them, to be domestic or do we allow them to be "wild animals" living amongst others in the neighbourhood, and likely becoming a nuisance? There is no right or wrong in most things, and is always a belief or interpretation : )
CrealCritter
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We keep our tame outdoor cats fed. They hang chickens when they want too, never had a problem. feral cats are unpredictable, I wouldn't trust them.
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Hinotori
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Depends on the cat. My female cat is perfectly safe with chicks. Sometimes I'll catch her sunning with the piles of silkies.
Her brother not really. As a teenager he went after some ameraucana chicks. I was close and swatted him the first time. 2nd time I was only close enough to watch the beat down. He grabbed a chick and mom yelled and went nuts on him. The rest of the hens in the flock joined her. For a few months they would attack any cat, including his sister. Then I guess they realized she wasn't bad. They still attacked him on site for at least 6 months and after would always yell an alert about him. It's been 12 years and none of my current birds witnessed that, but they all still alert if he comes around.
His sister is treated as just some random flock member.
Her brother not really. As a teenager he went after some ameraucana chicks. I was close and swatted him the first time. 2nd time I was only close enough to watch the beat down. He grabbed a chick and mom yelled and went nuts on him. The rest of the hens in the flock joined her. For a few months they would attack any cat, including his sister. Then I guess they realized she wasn't bad. They still attacked him on site for at least 6 months and after would always yell an alert about him. It's been 12 years and none of my current birds witnessed that, but they all still alert if he comes around.
His sister is treated as just some random flock member.
