cd8jbr Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Hi, I've been thinking for a while about getting some chooks and during my investigations I read somewhere that chickens will peck at eyes. I'm a bit worried about this as I have a blind cat (he's a totally blind rescue cat) and he'd be a bit vulnerable if that were the case. Does anybody have any advice about this? I'm not too worried about him going for the chooks although he might try this once I doubt he'd do it twice. Maybe this is telling me now isn't an ideal time to get chooks but I'd love to give a good home to 2/3 rescue battery chooks (I'm sure my rescue dog won't have a problem with them). See I'm a sucker for rescue animals! Any ideas anyone? Thanks Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 They are more likely to peck his nose. Even though he can't see he'll smell them and sense them. Then he'll avoid them the same as a seeing cat or ignore them. Think you'll just have to watch what happens but unless he is investigating them I don't think they would walk up to him to just peck his eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 My ex-batt chooks chase three of my cats (because they run away ) but tolerate Loki, who just hangs out on the lawn with them. They occasionally go and have a look at him and he purrs at them . The only mischief I remember, was watching Lady sneak up behind him very quietly - with her head down, so I know it was deliberate - and peck his tail, just to watch him jump . Provided your lovely boy is gentle with them, they'll probably adopt him as one of their own. Ex-batts are great as they don't know any different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Hens peck at anything shiny, so occasionally they will peck at eyes, but they don't have a special tendency to do so. If your chaps eyes are closed/sunken, they're not very likey to. I reckon they will steer clear of him, mine tolerate Claudette sitting on the lawn and peck around her within a foot or so, but they bok like anything when they see Wellington, who is scared of them and gives them a wide berth! I don't think either cat has ever been pecked though, so I wouldn't worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Just wanted to add that there is an uneasy truce between my cat and our Light Sussex, but he is more wary of my top chook, a Goldline. I am sure your boy would smell the chickens a mile off, and whilst that might excite him to start with one sharp peck is all that is needed in my experience for him to high tail it off to safer pastures. If your cat is blind he is already used to managing problems in the garden with all sorts of things, and Chickens are just another thing he will learn to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I would think you will be fine with your cat and chickens. My cat happily sunbathes with the girls all around her and despite one chicken always pecking shiny things, my nails or jewellery, even my teeth once! She has never pecked the cat. A neighbours cat did attack gertie once but came off worse off and has never ventured in the garden again. Luckily Gertie was non the worse for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd8jbr Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Thanks for that. I'm from what you say we can work something out. My cat isn't totally daft although being a cat he doesn't often take no for an answer I'm sure the chooks will persuade him to give them a wide berth. The garden is big enough for everyone. Now all I need to do is get things prepared and get some chooks! Thanks Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
