Chickens vs. Barn Cats - Looking for Suggestions

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

I'd think the birds might need something the cat food contains... maybe feed the birds some cat food on a regular basis? Is the cat food based on fish? God forbid - chicken? Beef?

The cat food has chicken in it, they love it. I've fed them chicken before as treats, it's actually quite good for them.

 

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

They make covered cat litter boxes with swinging flap doors. You could get a clean/unused one and put a bowl of food in. I don't know whether the chickens will go through a swinging pet door or not, but they wouldn't smell the food, and it's usually rather dark inside so maybe they wouldn't see/notice/care.

This is a really good idea! I think I might try it before I spend the time/money on building something.

 

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

I was going to suggest this too, but for the price it might be worth just lying in wait with a super soaker and squirting the birds when they get too close to the food.

I have to admit I've tried that already! They don't care too much and still come back the next day. lol

 

[redinator]

They make covered cat litter boxes with swinging flap doors. You could get a clean/unused one and put a bowl of food in. I don't know whether the chickens will go through a swinging pet door or not, but they wouldn't smell the food, and it's usually rather dark inside so maybe they wouldn't see/notice/care.

I've seen post where people talked about chickens following the dogs/cats in the house . . . so I'm not sure how long that would work.

 

[redinator]

I have to admit I've tried that already! They don't care too much and still come back the next day. lol

Mine play in the rain . . . it could just be a relief from the humidity, but I'd think they'd just be slightly offended, lol.

 

[GypseRse55]

Feed the cats at night. They are rather nocturnal, and the birds should be cooped up.

And then you deal with raccoons and possums coming in and eating their food.

 

[Etymom]

My cats, like my dogs, get fed once a day. There's no need to leave food out free choice when they should be hunting mice. That said, the first thing I do when I go out to do chores is put the cats with their food in a dog crate and lock them in. When I am done with chores, about an hour or so later, they are done eating too. I let them out and put the rest of the food away.

This method stemmed from 2 problems: 1. The geese were eating the cat food. And 2. The cats were crawling all over me while I was milking. Incredible irritating and cumbersome. So, I lock them up with their food. It keeps them out of my hair, they get fed, and no one else gets the cat food -- not chickens, not raccoons, or any other animal looking for easy food.