minieggs Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 This week I've noticed a neighbours cat round in our garden 5 times, each time stalking out the chickens when they were free ranging, and looking like its going to pounce at any minute. Each time I've gone out to scare the cat off and it's gone to the fence to wait for me to go, and only goes over the fence when I go up the garden. I'm quite worried that it may be able to catch one of my chickens, especially my Poland who has no idea what's going on around her I'm note really sure what to do, as I guess you can't stop a cat coming in your garden but i really don't want it there as it stresses me out! Arghhh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 My next door neighbours daughter, constantly calls (in a very high pitched, irritating voice) someone elses cat. It is constantly in my garden looking at my chicks and chickens and then it just looks at me as if to say "so ?" Fortunately, I have a nice WIR and that keeps them safe. I got it because everyones cats were looking at my chickens from the shed roof and licking their lips. I have managed to get the cat with cups of water and the hose pipe and it does seem to run away quicker when I run out after it, other than a good peck from the chickens I'm not sure what else to suggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenthelibrarian Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 We have a cat of our own. Up to a point I think this helps keep other cats out of our garden [his territory]. When the chooks first arrived and were confined to their run he couldn't stay away from them, and was pecked on the nose at least once. This has convinced him not to get too close to the bars, although he does lie under a nearby tree and stare at the hens.... We keep a fairly powerful water-pistol [the pump-action sort] at each end of the garden and usually just the sound of one being pumped deters the cat. I try to ensure he is in the house when the chickens are out FR-ing and they are never out unsupervised. He does 'stalk' them up the garden and has chased them, which usually results in lots of flapping and squawking and the cat getting yelled at/squirted. He has never caught, or got near to catching, either girlie. We reckon a full-sized hen can see off a cat, I'm not so sure about a bantam though. In short: you need a hose or big water-pistol or plant spray bottle and a day or two spent devoted to cat target practice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclonetog Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 We have 3 cats and 3 hens. We used to have 3 Ambers and 3 Pekins and the cats were either scared of them or disinterested in them. Now we have a young Siklie I've seen one of our cats and a neighbours cat stalking her, but as she's grown I've seen the cat go face to face with her and just run away. Cats like to chase prey and chickens are generally inquisitive, it's rarely a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 My cat is scared of the hens. Yesterday a new neighbourhood cat dropped by and one of my ex batts gave her a hard stare and she was off! Maybe you need a couple of ex batt bodyguards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartrus Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hi there, I too was worried about our 2 cats when we first got chickens. I have to say that our larger cat did try it once! But only once, he pounced on top of one of the hens who made such a fuss and noise, the other hens came to the rescue and they all gave the cat what for! That was the one and only time he tried it! Generally I would say not to worry too much, chickens can be quite aggressive when need to be, you only have to watch them have a go at new chickens! They would put up quite a fight which is enough for any cat! They soon learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheekyPekins Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I've got 3 bantams and 2 cats (1 full-grown and 1 kitten) - believe me, in my household, the chickens definitely rule the roost! My cat is a BIG cat and my Orp bantam has seen her off a couple of times and now the cat and chickens just pickle along quite happily in the garden together.. They all know where they stand, no-one attacks anyone else and it's all good The kitten still needs to learn that sleeping in the chicken coop isn't the best plan and she'll get chased out in a squawky fashion.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 It's definitely the cats who need protecting! The other day Figaro, my 1 yr old cat, didn't come in when I called him at supper time. This is most unusual, so I went out to hunt and found him stuck on the garden fence, not brave enough to come in because the chooks were between him and the cat flap! His older brother, Tallis, who is quite a bruiser, also seems to be very wary of the chooks. I've never SEEN them turn on the cats, but I wouldn't be surprised if they'd spent a bit of time showing them who was boss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I wouldn't be too blase with the poland - they can't see as well as other chooks to get out of the way, or to attack until its too late, and if yours a bantam then a cat would be well able to deal with it. I don't let my polands FR because of the dangers unless I am there. However, some of them do routinely escape and our 2 cats pay no attention at all; fortunately neither does next door's puss. However, I do have a very aggressive cat living nearby and I am certain he would have a go at them as he has a go at me. Just be very careful is my advice; water pistols can be a good deterrant. I keep my polands inside electric netting so they do have ample space to toddle about in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I wouldn't worry unduly, I have two hardened hunters, they and the countless cats in our neighbourhood are scared witless of our hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR666 Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 We have cats and chickens (see signature), the chooks are always in charge and even the male who thinks he is a big toughy gets chased off if he gets past the posturing stage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 The chickens are on top in this house, for sure. At the weekend when I let them out to FR, hermione shot out like a bullet from a gun and proceeded to chase Cha Cha (who was quietly minding her own business on the patio) all over the garden. She eventually had to take refuge on top of a wheelie bin I think Hermione was having a bad day. I know Cha Cha was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Poor Cha Cha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolateeclaire Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I find the cats like the initial chase but then when everyone is flapping and squawking they get a bit scared. Of course you could always get a rabbit!!! Duke my old rabbit sees off all the cats and had one stuck up a tree for an hour before I took pity on it and lured him away with a carrot!! Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Hi minieggs, keep a close eye on them if they are free ranging and you think the cat will pounce. We have a young cat that visits our garden to chase and pounce on my girls, my Pekins normally alert me if its about but if they aren't and my polands are out I have to put them away. It has twice caught 2 of my polands, one lots of feathers everywhere and i scared it off and the second time I found my the other Poland flat out face down in the shrubs, I thought she was dead! Luckily she was fine and appeared to be playing dead but the cat obviously isn't just playing. It's funny because the girls will bok loudly when they see it but any other cat or squirrels do not bother them at all. They must just sense danger and remember. Be careful about the polands as you need to be their eyes, I actually trim their hair back to help them see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
