chooksRCute Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Well after 2 months of chicken keeping the neighbour's cat finally made its move! I've watched it on many occasions sat on their shed roof intensely studying my little flock, free ranging. I didn't see it make its move but I heard the fracas, head chook Eddie & her 2nd in command, Duchess saw him off! It's such a worry this ere free ranging, but I just don't feel it fair to keep them penned in all day long. I've done as much as is reasonable possible to secure the garden & I never let them range unless I'm home with them. But still it's a risk, so today's incident has reassured me. Phew It'll be a brave cat to try again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 In my experience, that cat will be making huge detours to avoid the chickens in future! I've never been bothered about cats but I don't let mine free range unless I'm actually in the garden because of the fox risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Years ago a neighbours cat attacked one of my silkies, she went mad at it and the cat flew across the fence. Luckily she only lost a few feathers and we never saw the cat in the garden again. I have my own cat who is huge as he is a british shorthair but he gives the girls a wide birth too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Our neighbour's cat got too close to one of the young hens yesterday and she went for him big time. He ran away clearly terrified and we haven't seen him today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Flora and fauna actually chase and will attack my two little Brussels griffon's. My poor dogs are terrified of those mean girls!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 I like what I'm hearing, it's nice to know these chickens can fight back. Mine don't get a lot of ranging time but they so enjoy it. Luckily my garden is small & contained so I can see them clearly but I know it's always a risk letting them out. Every time a pigeon or magpie flies over, the lookout clucks a warning & they all freeze - their antics are engrossing no wonder I rarely finish a chore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 When the house next to next door was sold, they brought a tom cat with them. Thus the 4 cats, (2 of whom are toms), next door started using our garden and courtyard as their personal playground. To be fair they were becoming an utter nuisance; everytime I went into the garden they would fly out from everywhere, teased the dog constantly and kept leaping on the roof of my car from the garage roof. One day I was cleaning the run and coop while the girls were free ranging when the suddenly gave a warning cry. Pixie was being stalked by one of the toms. It was so into its stalking that I was almost able to touch it before it suddenly noticed me and raced off. I bought a water pistol but have not had a chance to use it yet. Now I only FR the girls after the run is clean and I can sit in the garden with them. Although I know they are still around, we don't see them as much. If I am walking the dog and they are near our gate or in the garden, I have let the dog chase them off, just so they know it's not completely safe! As for the dog and the girls; he just wants to chase them and probably eat them. It's sad but he has to be heavily supervised in his garden else he just screams and barks at the run. I have had him in the garden while they FRed, but he was on a lead and muzzled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Most cats will have a pop, but usually learn their lesson.. I have two dogs, with high prey drives; it wouldn't be fair on either party to let them out when the flock is free ranging. Do try to avoid your dog running at the run and barking at the hens; they are quite nervous and highly strung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
