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

[McChooky]

Never mind, she’s back - trying to get into the chicken coop this morning but too scared to go around where the door is.
I have the trap set with canned food again.

It’s so frustrating none of your cats want to use the new catio!

2 outside cats love it but the inside cats won't lol

 

[Love Donkeys]

I move my broody chicks and their eggs into a brooder inside a separate building. They don't move out to the coop until they are at least 7-8 weeks old and, even then, they have "mom" to protect them.

I agree on your plan for chick safety!
Our barn cats coexist with our free-range chickens but I would never trust them with chicks...

They all love leftovers!

 

[Etiene]

Where would you get feral cats?

 

[Love Donkeys]

Where would you get feral cats?

Feral cats or sometimes called "un-housed" cats can be found at your local animal shelter. Let them know you are looking for an outside cat that will accept some human contact, food and water....

Bring photos of your cat run, where the cats will stay and what you trying to do. I'm pretty sure the will be a charge in adopting a outside cat....

 

[Panamom]

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!

Awesome!