Will Cats Kill Chickens?
Discussion
It's been a few years now but growing up we had chickens and a cat. This was out in the countryside and the cat was a killer of most things that moved but had a very healthy respect for the chickens. I think they came to an understanding in the end; he'd kill and eat the rats that tried to live off their food and in return the chickens wouldn't attack him.
I'm sure he could have killed one as he took pheasants but I suspect the number of chickens put him off.
I'm sure he could have killed one as he took pheasants but I suspect the number of chickens put him off.
I'd say quite the opposite. My parents kept chickens a few years back along with two cats. These cats are partial to a huge farm rat or two so not wimpy house cats. The chickens used to give them quite a hard time every time they went near the coop. In the end the cats used to only come to the ground to go through the cat flap in the back door. Even then the chickens would sometimes follow them through and in to the house.
I have both without problem. Cats love watching the chickens who are now used to them.
The cats will hopefully help deter the mice and rats away that'll be lured by the chicken feed.
The only suggestion I'd make is it can sometimes stress the hens, maybe add some Apple Cider Vinegar to their (chickens) drinking water (in a plastic container)
The cats will hopefully help deter the mice and rats away that'll be lured by the chicken feed.
The only suggestion I'd make is it can sometimes stress the hens, maybe add some Apple Cider Vinegar to their (chickens) drinking water (in a plastic container)
It's always been a nut house with animals around here. At one time we had 3 chickens roaming loose around the garden, 3 cats that left our backdoor step looking like a butchers block most days and 2 English Bull Terriers. They all got on surprisingly well. Sometimes when the kitchen door was left open to the garden, I'd come in to find all three chickens and a dog or two sat in front of the Aga! I should've taught those girls how to let themselves into the oven. On other occasions there'd be a cat sandwiched between dogs.
The two Bullies have since died and the only threat to the chickens is Wilson, the latest Bully. The cats are always in the chicken run with no trouble, but Wilson wants to kill those birds!
The two Bullies have since died and the only threat to the chickens is Wilson, the latest Bully. The cats are always in the chicken run with no trouble, but Wilson wants to kill those birds!
Cats do kill hens.
I heard a rumpus this am and a cat (local) which has beautiful markings somewhat like those of a tiger but much subdued.
He was crashing around on top of the hen yard wire roof trying to get at the hens which where in great flight.
Then I noticed in the corner a dead young (prelayer) in the corner where the cat had pushed aside the netting and bitten it across the neck and I guess was unable to lift it out and just left it there.
I had lost two other hens the previous week, I thought to a fox, I was suspicious that it was a fox because of the way the netting had been pushed aside and the fact that the fox had not eaten the egg that was beside the torn corpse.
I have lost hens to foxes and these kills were somehow very different
Foxes often come back for remains but these were partially eaten and no returns.
My ruling is be suspicious of cats until proved otherwise.
I heard a rumpus this am and a cat (local) which has beautiful markings somewhat like those of a tiger but much subdued.
He was crashing around on top of the hen yard wire roof trying to get at the hens which where in great flight.
Then I noticed in the corner a dead young (prelayer) in the corner where the cat had pushed aside the netting and bitten it across the neck and I guess was unable to lift it out and just left it there.
I had lost two other hens the previous week, I thought to a fox, I was suspicious that it was a fox because of the way the netting had been pushed aside and the fact that the fox had not eaten the egg that was beside the torn corpse.
I have lost hens to foxes and these kills were somehow very different
Foxes often come back for remains but these were partially eaten and no returns.
My ruling is be suspicious of cats until proved otherwise.
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