Housing a feral cat inside the chicken run for rodent control?

[PachanPeeps]

I have 7 month old kittens in my chicken run, which is now rodent free. The kittens lived in the same zone as the coop & run and everyone got to acclimate & adjust under my supervision. The chickens were already used to outdoor cats too, so it was more to ensure the kittens weren't going to be a danger to the chickens. They all get along fine.

Maybe a month or two ago, we built them a cat condo that has access into the chicken coop, and I lock up the kittens in their condo with coop/run access at night bc I'm scared they'll get eaten by bears, coyotes, bob cats, or mt lions.

I leave my feed out in the run, so I was askin' for the mice, I know. In that first week or 2 with giving the kittens coop access, dead mice were strewn about everywhere. Now, I haven't seen a single one!

The chickens don't get into the cat condo to eat their cat food or littler (or poop in there...) as the entrance's a foot off the ground with flaps/curtains over it. I don't think the chickens "get it," and tarps, curtains, anything that flaps scare them, so I don't think they'll try to get in lol. If they do, I'll adjust things, but there's been 0 attempt so far.

My animals have not needed meds, so that's not a concern. And if anyone ever needed meds, they'd be separated. Everyone goes out during the day, so they're not really in close quarters except for at night.

I would say that so far, it's working out great in my situation. Good luck to you!

 

[McChooky]

Forcing a cat to live on rodents by locking it inside a chicken coop 24/7 would be inhumane. I'm not saying that's what you're aiming for here just saying that cats still need a separate area that's clean with their own food and water with a litter box .Barn cats have the option of killing rodents and hunting for other food sources when they aren't contained as you described (limited to what crawls around inside )Chickens would steal every bite of cat food provided if its not separate

 

[McChooky]

I have 7 month old kittens in my chicken run, which is now rodent free. The kittens lived in the same zone as the coop & run and everyone got to acclimate & adjust under my supervision. The chickens were already used to outdoor cats too, so it was more to ensure the kittens weren't going to be a danger to the chickens. They all get along fine.

Maybe a month or two ago, we built them a cat condo that has access into the chicken coop, and I lock up the kittens in their condo with coop/run access at night bc I'm scared they'll get eaten by bears, coyotes, bob cats, or mt lions.

I leave my feed out in the run, so I was askin' for the mice, I know. In that first week or 2 with giving the kittens coop access, dead mice were strewn about everywhere. Now, I haven't seen a single one!

The chickens don't get into the cat condo to eat their cat food or littler (or poop in there...) as the entrance's a foot off the ground with flaps/curtains over it. I don't think the chickens "get it," and tarps, curtains, anything that flaps scare them, so I don't think they'll try to get in lol. If they do, I'll adjust things, but there's been 0 attempt so far.

My animals have not needed meds, so that's not a concern. And if anyone ever needed meds, they'd be separated. Everyone goes out during the day, so they're not really in close quarters except for at night.

I would say that so far, it's working out great in my situation. Good luck to you!

Sounds like you have a great setup!

 

[Evadig]

I have kept (and am keeping) a feral cat (kitten) in my chicken coop. I put out feed for it after the hens have gone to bed, otherwise they’ll eat the cat’s food. Kitty has never tried to bother the full grown chickens (and vice versa).

Francine (feral) and Brianna (tame on her own terms)

 

[Starganderfish]

What about adding some Guinea fowl to your flock? They eat rodents as well as ticks, fleas and other bugs and will chase off snakes and loudly warn of other predators sniffing around. They’re more likely to peacefully coexist with your chickens, need pretty much the same conditions, eat the same food etc, and will produce edible eggs as well.

 

[Vicker]

I'd feel bad confining a cat to a chicken coop. What about using a bucket trap for the rodents.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

While cats and chickens can often get along in the same yard, I would definitely not put a single cat in an enclosed space with a flock of chickens. I have a bantam hen, who, whenever she gets broody (and sometimes even when she’s not), tries to attack any of my cats who come near her. I would be worried about the cat getting cornered by the chickens, or one of the bantams getting grabbed by the cat after a close sudden movement.

 

[McChooky]

I have kept (and am keeping) a feral cat (kitten) in my chicken coop. I put out feed for it after the hens have gone to bed, otherwise they’ll eat the cat’s food. Kitty has never tried to bother the full grown chickens (and vice versa).

Francine (feral) and Brianna (tame on her own terms)
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How do you keep a littler box clean? Do the chickens eat the poop?