Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Will a Cat Kill Chickens?
Unknown sends nasty messages and told me that a cat will not kill chickens. The cat I saw was not sweet Sophia. My neighbor who has cats said there is a mean cat that looks like Sophia. I Googled the question and this is the answer. Remember, these are juvenile chickens. A cat has swiped a chick in the past.
I do not think this mean cat would go for my full grown Rhode Island Red, just the juvenile chicks. Then, again, maybe it was not a cat. Maybe it was the two dogs who went after me. They have been locked up and barking as I have gotten the chickens from the yards behind me.
At any rate, I am thinking of everything that runs loose around here. However, I was not off the mark as far as a cat killing chickens.
There have been many times the chickens walk right past a cat in the yard, so they are not fearful as they are when a raccoon shows up.
FORGOT TO SAY
The other day, I heard a great commotion near the back door. I rushed to see what was happening. Thelma, the huge hen, jumped up on the railing and sat close to the door. Patsy Cline was headed around the back of the house. The little one had feathers flying, as a cat ran away as I yelled at it. Sooo, we do have a cat that will attack chickens. It was probably only after the little one.
Your turn
Have you ever had a cat that killed chickens, even once? Have you had cats and chickens peacefully coexist?
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Growing up we had chooks and cats which co-existed. I wouldn't ever say never though. And doubt that chicks would be safe.
ReplyDeleteIt would depend on the cat - but would be very foolish to think that if the opportunity presented itself the cat (a carnivore and a hunter) would resist temptation.
Dogs are also a risk.
EC,
DeleteI added a little update on blog post. Yes, saying "never" would not work after what I saw happening--in update.
I think if they are raised together, there might be a chance that the cat would be okay. I've seen farmers with barn cats and chickens together, but truthfully - they may just have had a great chicken pen.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I've seen cats maul chickens to death, especially small ones.
Cherdo,
ReplyDeleteI really believe most cats around here are okay with the grown chickens. But, one of the two new ones tried to catch the little one, and I saw it. Look at the update on blog post.
Thanks.
My cat will go and "stalk" my hens. She has never actually attacked them. All but one ignore her. My one Australorp will go after her once in a while. When my hens were chicks, she would watch and try to paw them. She never hurt them.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
DeleteGood for the Australorp! Since it is your cat, she probably just wanted to mother them or figure out what kind of bird did not fly away.
Our next door neighbors who were renting ran off and left a female, male, and kittens. Before we realized what had happened they were starving. The momma stole dog food, killed doves and sparrows and never went after the chickens. Not even the bantams. When we realized the situation, we adopted them, had them fixed and found homes for the kittens. The momma is an amazing hunter and the bantams would be no problem for her, but she never went after them.
ReplyDeleteThat is all I know. Good luck. Take care.
Patti,
DeleteThat is too bad people abandoned the whole family of cats. But, I am glad you helped them. I wish I had a good hunter!
Where we used to live, on the outskirts of town, on the side of a highway people would dump strays all the time. Cats are carnivores. They will kill chickens, rabbits, ducks, varmints, or whatever they can to survive.
ReplyDeleteMouser- the barn cat- is an amazing hunter. She leaves a wake of mice, moles, voles, frogs, chipmunks, squirrels, bunnies... She is fascinating to watch when she is on the hunt. So serious, determined, focused. She looks like a mountain lion stalking her prey. She does not kill chickens.
My theory- she's not hungry, so why bother? Chickens are boring.
Living in town, does a cat have more or less entertainment? Is it a stray? Is it hungry?
Wendy,
DeleteLeft to their own devices, cats turn to their true nature as hunters of their own food, I suppose. Mouser sounds useful, except for the bunnies. But, if the bunnies eat your garden, I suppose they are no loss.
It comes from two doors down and is a petted cat that is affectionate to strangers. It's not hungry. I don't know what cats do for entertainment around here. But, it is woodsy, with lots of trees and rats and an abundance of squirrels and birds. I think she kills because she can--entertainment.
I know nothing about chickens and very little about cats even though we have had a few. But our cats are more city folk. Bet that didn't help at all, LOL.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann,
DeleteOh, yes, it was helpful. I now know to never directly ask you a question about cats or chickens...lol.
No, but... I did grow up with Tweety Bird and that Putty Tat, Sylvester. And Sylvester is always trying to eat Tweety Bird... so isn't it logical to think cats COULD eat chickens? It may be too big for their stomach, but I think they would try occasionally if they're starving.
ReplyDelete