PurpleTree Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I know I've read that cats usually get on with chickens, but has anyone had one of their girls attacked and injured by a cat? We have about 6 cats that come into our garden, to start with they just seemed curious, but now a couple of them are trying to stalk the girls when they're out in the garden. Yesterday one of the bigger cats leapt and nearly landed on Mash, much squawking and the three of them came pelting back down the garden. Unharmed. Reluctant to leave them out in the garden on their own at the moment, in case the cats have another go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 my two cats are fine with them, although both looked like they might like to eat them initially... now the chickens (particularly Agatha, top hen) chase the cats up fences and trees...if they go to close.. sorry to hear of your troubles.. are your chickens young (and small)?? forgot to check your signautre to see..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 No they're all quite big, strangely Mash, that I think the cat jumped on, is the biggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piptiddlepip Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 our four chase our big ginger cat away! It started off with just Aggie doing it, but now the other three have decided it looks fun and they join in. You should see him trying to sneak back into his own garden - he's enormous, and as cowardly as they come If I were you I would invest in a super-soaker, and give said cats a free jet-wash when they get too close. Doesn't harm the cat, but is effective as a training tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Our chickens completly rule the garden. When we first got them our cat tried stalking them but they turned round gave him a huge peck on the nose and chased him round the garden till he got stuck on the roof of the shed and i had to go up and rescue him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 Think the problem was the cat leapt out of the trees at them while they were pecking around the top of the garden, and took them by surprise. I've been battling against cats and their mess in my garden for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Even though I know deep down my cats want a nice chicken sandwhich, it is the cats who always end up the tree with the chickens bok bokking round the trunk and not letting them back down . I hope the chicks put the mogs in their place soon. One of mogs is a complete wuss but he doesn't get beaten up anymore as the neighbourhood thug moggies don't come into our garden anymore asd they are frightened of the chooks. So we have saved money on vets bills . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 My evil cat that eats rats and pigeons has no issue with leaping at the chickens given the opportunity - he has taken a chucnk of feathers through the netting before now. I use the oOmlet netting, so the hens have their own section of the garden - he still stalks around it and lay in wait. I di however think he is very much the exception - my other cat wouldn,t go anywhere near them. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smanners Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I've got eight cats, 6 are totally uninterested but the 2 males like to stalk the chickens and secretly would love to eat them. However the best they can do is catch and eat wood pidgeons in front of them (as a threat I think) The Chooks retaliate by................ totally ignoring their antics. Oh the indignity of being ignored if you're a cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freespiritbutterfly Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 hi ive got five nearly six cats and to be honest two arent bothered, two are completly petrified (sorry can't spell) of them and the other one has tried to launch an air attack to which failed because he missed the run but apart from that there not bothered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I did have a neighbours cat cause chaos in my garden a couple of weeks ago. I heard this awful noise, went outside and found the cat sat on the decking. Three of my girls were down behind the greenhouse shrieking for all they were worth I gave the cat a free flying lesson and then frantically searched the garden for Maude. I found her on top of my six foot high fence right by the back door in the end (hadn't thought to look there, as she's a pekin!!!! ) She had some damage to her beak, but I think that was more to do with her panic and attempt to escape rather than actually inflicted by the cat. Took her to the vet to be sure, though. Just today, the moggie was back in the garden when I was putting the girls to bed, and again he had a nice trip I'm hoping that he will eventually get the hint, as I suspect he could easily damage my little ladies. I'm thinking of getting some prikka strips for the fence where he gets in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowWhite Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 We have four very different cats. One old and deaf, another young and flighty, one mouser/ratter/rabbiter while the other is a lounge lizard. The hens are interested in the cats but it's fair to say that they are totally disinterested, even a little bit scared of the girls! I've had no trouble, mind you I've always believed that they sort it out between them. I would have no qualms in leaving them together unsupervised. I guess it really depends on the individual cats and hens involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 When I first got my girls I was really worried about our youngest cat Ditto who has always been a hunter. When we first let the chickens out we watched like hawks and although Ditto made lots of threatening postures when it came to it - the girls flapped their wings and she was terrified. Now her favourite place it to sit on top of the eglu and survey her 'girls' Not only that but a neighbouring cat who tried to storm the eglu run when it was first installed, once the girls where let out it changed its tune entirely - he now likes to watch passively from the top of the shed or even - very cheekily- sitting on the top of the eglu!!!! Chickens Rule !!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 hi ive got five nearly six cats and to be honest two arent bothered, two are completly petrified (sorry can't spell) of them and the other one has tried to launch an air attack to which failed because he missed the run but apart from that there not bothered. How have you got only half a cat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 I hope to goodness that "half" is a kitten !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
