4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Jen&Rog]

I've got a lovely new moggy from Battersea dogs & cats home who I've only recently allowed outside. But the hens are absolutely petrified of him (he's quite a big cat!), and unfortunately he runs around their cages and jumps on top, like he's stalking them, especially the newer/smaller ex-batts. When the hens were out free-ranging he ran at them - I do think he'd have properly gone for them if I hadn't caught hold of him. Do you think he'll get used to them and stop seeing them as dinner? It's such a shame 'cos none of them get to free-range 'til I'm back from work, and I can now only let them out in shifts!

 

Here's my lovely boy showing off those sharp teeth:

 

[SAB]

He is gorgeous! Lots of people seem to have managed with their cats but I don't trust 2 out of my 3 cats as they are such murderous beasts - we are fox and catproofing part of our garden as a result).

[Sandychick]

I would just supervise the cat and chickens and only intervene if it looks really dodgy. My cat thought it was Christmas when the chickens arrived and it was a real worry to watch. She had a go a few times........then figured it was a bad idea. They generally ignore each other now but I still sometimes see the cat being chased up the garden by a trio of chickens - must be so demoralising for a cat

 

I think it is rare that a cat will do harm to a chicken, but there are a few exeptions. Hopefully the novalty will ware off for the cat soon.

[Olly]

he's gorgeous! I don't know how fit your ex-batts are, but generally (and in my own experience) a hen will see off a domestic cat - they stand up and flap their wings, and my cat who is a heavyweight mouser turned tail and ran! He's still scared of them.

 

I'm inclined to the 'let him try and find out for himself' way, provided you're on hand to avoid absolute mayhem. He will calm down a bit once he realises they're not a tasty dinner, and they will not be so scared of him.

[Egluntyne]

Gosh...those teeth are impressive.

 

Well done for giving him and the girls a home.

[josephine77]

My two wildlife-slaying cats thought it was Christmas too, when I first got my chickens....they started stalking the new arrivals, making those wierd 'Hannibal' noises that they do when they're in killing mode..But, on the first ambush attempt, the roles were quickly reversed and cats fled followed by angry chooks! They all sort of ignore eachother now, and the other day I found Twix the 'fiercest' of my two cats, curled up asleep on the patio, just inches from 2 snoozing chickens. I'm sure your puss will be fine once he realises!

[WitchHazel]

I have two cats who are excellent hunters, and they hunt together (with one chasing the prey into the others hidden path)

 

I have no doubt that in a fight between one cat and one fit hen, the hen will win. Cats like easy prey, and when the chook stands up, flaps its wings, and starts screeching and pecking, the cat will retreat.

 

One cat and a poorly hen: money on the cat.

 

Two cats, who hunt as a pair: money on the cats.

 

My cats behaved like yours. When I first started letting the Girls free range, I made sure I was in the garden with a hosepipe at my side. I didn't let the cats know I was watching. After a couple of days, my gorgeous ginger boy decided it was his moment. The girls had their backs to him,l he took a leap, I picked up the hose, ....the Girls were too busy foraging to notice the cat coming. Then it was like slow motion...

 

Mid pounce, Washburn seemed confused that the girls were ignoring him, and he just....gave up. He dropped to the ground, the girls were none the wiser, and he slinked (slunk?) off.

 

After that, both cats continued to watch the girls with interest, but they've made no attempt to pounce. Wash sometimes sleeps in the nest box, or if they've made a nest under the shrubs he sits in it. The girls crow loudly right in his face, but he just ignores them. He also lies on the perches in their run if he gets a chance.

 

So, I would say make sure you supervise and have your deterrent to hand, until they get used to each other. Most likely will be fine.

[dancing cloud]

My 2 rescue cats are fine with my ex-batts.

 

Fat Puddy has always ignored them, and is happy to just let them walk past. Loki the serial killer loved them from the outset, but made the mistake of trying to get them to play. After watching him, totally bemused, the hens eventually got fed up and Joy had a fluff-up at him till he ran away. He will now sit out in the garden with them quite happily, but is still very wary of Joy.

 

Keep an eye, and a water pistol handy, and they'll probably be fine.