Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[andyandamy]

We picked up our very first chickens this afternoon - Daisy and Bubbles - and they quickly made themselves at home in our in our green eglu Classic.

 

However, late this afternoon the neighbours' cat's predator instincts kicked in and he charged at the run. Fortunately "Ooops, word censored!"ody was hurt, but there was quite a commotion and poor Bubbles seemed rather distressed for quite a while even after the cat was long gone.

 

Anyway, we're a little concerned that this will have given our chooks the worst possible impressions of their new surroundings. Will they forever be anxious in their run after such a traumatic first day? Should we try to keep the cat(s) from ever coming back by using some kind of ultrasonic cat deterrent. Or is it possible they could become friends in the long run?

[LuckyChickenLover-]

Welcome to the forum .

 

I used to have this problem, my neihbourhood is full of cats.

 

Although I would still be wary, chickens can acctually hold their own against cats pretty well. I peck on the nose usually does the trick.

 

In the long run, it is acctually a good thing that theres a cat in your garden - it means that your garden can't be claimed by other cats who might take a fancy in your girls.

 

If you have a water pistol ready to fire at naughty cats then they will soon learn to leave your hens alone - worked for me

[Chucky Mama]

We used to get the odd cat in the garden (dog usually keeps them out) but ever since our shyest chicken beat up a feline visitor they have given the garden a wide berth

[Patricia W]

My cat used to do that - till they started free ranging! Dinner is not supposed to shout at you, chase and peck you. Now she, and all the neighbourhood cats give our pterodactyls, a very wide berth.......

[andyandamy]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Off to buy a large water pistol tomorrow

[helen1962]

I live in pet cat central and they all come to have a look at the hens. One even sits right next to the run with them but doesn't try to attack them. When my hens first encountered cats they were free ranging on the patio while we had built the large walk in run for them. Hilda a bold and rather large ex-batt took a run at one black and white cat and pecked it so hard it yelped! She also clucked at it very loudly that alerted the others. The cat took fright and fled. However all the cats in the neighbourhood have got used to them and likewise the hens have got used to the cats, so I have no trouble. In fact I rather welcome them as it does keep mice at bay. (We also have a family of those as well! They live under next door's shed and although they don't go near the hens, they do run among the flower beds and love the rose hips when they fully ripen in September and October!)

[Chucky Mama]

My cat used to do that - till they started free ranging! Dinner is not supposed to shout at you, chase and peck you. Now she, and all the neighbourhood cats give our pterodactyls, a very wide berth.......