essexgirl Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Hi there, we've had our girls for two days now and we're looking forward to being able to let them have free run of the garden at the weekend. My neighbours (who we get on very well with) have three cats, 2 fairly harmless ones and one completely evil one!! Yesterday he jumped over the fence into our garden and the girls went completely mad. I'm not sure if they were scared or trying to get at it, they didn't go in the Eglu and it then took us ages to get one of them into bed as she was pacing up and down like a mad thing. Can cats do damage to chickens, if they're out at the weekend and we pop indoors just as the cat comes over the fence, could he catch them? He kills birds and frogs with a passion and if he got hold of one of the girls could he do them much damage? Would be very grateful for any advice. Thanks Melanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 hi melanie welcome to the forum we have a cat, and a lot of cats in the neighbourhood, but they all have a healthy respect for our chickens this could be due to the talons and the beaks that look like they could do quite a lot of damage. I personally would be more concerned for the cat than the chickens, these chooks might look sweet and innocent and unable to look after themselves, but they are actually quite devious the cats wont stand a chance its quite good fun to sit and watch the cats though cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Of my 3 cats I would worry about the safety of 1 if faced by a chicken; think I could trust another as he has always been trainable to leave things that he has been told are "mine"; and would not trust the other an inch - given that she has taken down wood pigeons, a baby hawk, and a seagull - and yes, she is my littlest cat. She is constantly stalking round the run, putting her claws in between the bars and I am sure if she had a chance she would go for it. We have not taken the risk, but having been a lifelong cat owner, I would say depends on the cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Mel, i have two cats and plan to get another, we also have a non owned tom who claims ownership of all of our back gardens, but the girls are so noisy they just stare the cat out, one of our cats was pecked on the face and the cat slapped it across the face now they just avoid each other but no real damage done. The chickens are more fiesty than you think Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 I think maybe if they tried to swallow one whole it could cause a problem ... Seriously though, it's a very foolish cat who tangles with a chicken. If he is avery persistent hunter he might try his luck and have a go, but I doubt he'd try it twice. Keep an eye on him and see how the first encounter pans out. If he shows no signs of giving up you may have to resort to a waterpistol or hosepipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 We have a very aggressive cat who lives across the road and he has ventured near our chickens on 2 occasions, I think he must have forgotten about the first encounter, silly cat. About 4 or 5 chickens stood together and bokked at the cat, they made so much noise the cat scarpered, the chooks become very tall and threatening and the cat thought better of it. The second time was much the same, he is a ferocious hunter it was interesting to see how he reacted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 I have had to physically intervene to defend my cat ( who is an intrepid hunter) against Phillipa, a bantam who chased and cornered her.... Phillip the cockerel has a special call he uses when he hears her bell. Interpreted it means, " you come near me and mine and I'll have your eyes out!" I think the question is the other way round - how to defend the cat against the chickens! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Our previous cat was such a sweetie, he would lie down and let them preen him (see avatar). However, we won't trust ourr new cats with ours as they have tried to have several goes. As Marley is over 5 kgs and VERY muscular, he is more than capable (he's keeping the feral cats out of the garden quite capably). Marcie is very light at 3.5 kg & quick and is bringing all sorts of kill to us. Nothing seems to deter her, even hitting her head while on the go And she could get through the Omlet netting We've decided to keep ours separated until the fur's settles a bit and theiy're older. However, we're quite resigned to the possibility that this might not happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Most cats, even the hunters, can be dealt with by a chicken. I used to have a bird that would specially select the same one of our cats and chase her, even if she was 50ft away minding her own business. HOWEVER, there are the odd ones who will take on a bird. I have bantams and I have lost one to a cat (not mine) that has no respect for anyone or anything (including humans - scratches and bites and won't be got rid of). The same cat also thought nothing of hiding under a bush and jumping out on the very large orpingtons including the cockeral, fortunately that was under my nose. If I know he is about I don't let mine out - I find the water pistol. So, I'd do your first free ranging when you are around. As I say, the vast majority of birds, particularly large fowl will be fine, but you have to know what you're dealing with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 We have never owned a cat but, pre chickens, our children's sandpit was regularly used as a litter tray by a large number of neighbourhood cats . Post chickens only one cat will now venture into our garden (albeit rarely). The chickens stand tall and start a cacophany of their most indignant bok bok BAWKing. The first time they did this I rushed out thinking a disaster was imminent only to find said cat lying as flat to the ground as it could about 10 feet from the chooks. When it saw me it scarpered. Keeping the cats out of the garden is one of our chickens more endearing skills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Ours tend to corner the cats and see them off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 When we get our ex-bats, I am wondering how things will stack up with our 4 cats ... I do hope they (the cats) aren't scared to live out in the garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franksmum Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 As some others have said - much depends on the cat With my three the chickens are very capable of standing up for themselves. I would not trust my Dad's cat one inch though - he despatches whole rabbit families... Try the first introductions with you around armed with water pistol and see how it goes from there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 My cat is a big hunter, has brought us home squirrels as "presents" before now, however, after 1 attempt at hunting the chickens he now steers well clear. He knows who's boss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karamac Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Hiya, I have (or had, until yesterday ) two exbatts and a rather hefty rescue cat plus several local cats. My own cat will make light work of catching and dismantling pigeons (usually in the centre of our front room) however runs scared of the hens (who thoroughly enjoy chasing him up and down the garden every morning and evening) It took a bit of bravery on my part, but the hens are more than capable of standing up to a cat. In my experience, the cat will make an attempt but the hens make such a noise, stand up as tall as they can and deliver a great big scratch or peck. Once they have done this, they don't seem to come back. I think it's different when your girls are in the run as they can't see the cat off- our often used to sit just outside the run and look smug- but not anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 yep, I would definitely swop it round - how dangerous are chickens to cats! My cats are terrified of the girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reikiranf Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 My chicken Lulu has taken a dislike to our poor 18yr old cat Sophie, she totally ignores 17 yr old Lily who looks like the Felix cat. It started with Lulu walking up to Sophie & pecking her for no apparent reason, then yesterday when I went to let the girls out of the run Sophie mooched out from under a bush and followed me and Lulu raced out of the run made a beeline for Sophie and chased her down the garden, through the conservatory and kitchen and into the hall So this year Lulu is disliking black Manx cats, last year it was wood pigeons and I can't wait to see what she goes for next year Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
