Neighbors cat hanging out around my chickens

[McChooky]

Our cats wouldn't have anything to eat if we didn't hide the cat food from the chickens. They're scared of the chickens

 

[FrostRanger]

Our cats wouldn't have anything to eat if we didn't hide the cat food from the chickens. They're scared of the chickens

That's how the cats around here are too, they will move if the ladies approach their food. I have to make sure to move the cat food when I let the ladies out

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

Cats are all different…I’ve got two of them, and one is absolutely terrified of the chickens, like he won’t even go near them when they’re cooped up. The other thinks they’re big toys to be played with…she attacked one of my biggest hens while free ranging (who was honestly twice her size at the time.) She came away with just a mouthful of feathers, and the rooster chased her away within seconds. The problem is that she just sits in one place until the chickens forget about her and come too close, and then she pounces. The rooster chases her whenever he gets a chance, but she comes back. I don’t think she could catch or seriously hurt one of them, I’m more worried about them hurting her. But she can definitely terrify them.

Just my own experiences.

 

[alinas2010]

My neighbor’s cat, Hank, seemingly “stalked” our backyard chickens for quite a few weeks, it made me so nervous. He is a big guy. But then one day I was shocked to go outside and see him lounging in the shade with them! Turns out he was just curious and maybe even lonely. He came over almost every day during the summer and hung out with them. I’d trust him to make a ruckus if hawk came around, so I kind of liked him there. If our chickens were smaller, like pullets, I would definitely have kept them locked up and watched more closely if he was around, however. Sometimes I was even nervous that they’d hurt him. Here is Ravioli yelling at him, in fact, for checking out her Apple the she was eating.

I think you’d just have to feel out the neighbors cat and see what you think it is capable of and witness any first interactions VERY closely.

 

[McChooky]

I used to free range my chickens in a fenced yard between my house and my cousins but after 2 disappeared my chickens refused to go in the back yard anymore (I haven't lost anymore) My cousin also got rid of about 10 cats but never told me why

 

[Chubbicthe2nd]

Thank you everyone!

I gather from these posts that there is a good chance that cats can coexist with chickens. I will watch and see and hope for the best. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[FrostRanger]

Thank you everyone!

I gather from these posts that there is a good chance that cats can coexist with chickens. I will watch and see and hope for the best. I appreciate everyone's input.

Let us know how everything goes and feel free to post pictures of the chickens and/or the cat :3

 

[TOR]

If the chickens are small young stock, chicks. I would be worried. If the chickens are older I would not worry. We here have a cat and leaves the chickens alone, the chickens are nervous and walk away from him. I would not trust the cat around young stock, not sure if it would kill them, but defintely be play toys. At least with the cat we have.

 

[Sondraa]

The neighbor's cat has been hanging out around my chickens. The cat makes them very nervous, they all sort of go stock still, and the full grown ones flutter up to the top of the coop. The poor little pullets though just huddle in the bushes.

What's the chances that this cat's going to try to kill my chickens? I've thrown things at it, but it's quick. Also, talking to my neighbor won't solve anything. He is not the friendliest (we had a hard enough time convincing him to not let his pitbulls wander into our property around our toddler girls, and he keeps putting his cows in our pasture without our permission, we're going to have to repair the fence more -- he says his cows keeping mangling it up, that he didn't do it. So we we're planning to put in a brand new fence relatively soon, to keep both his cows and pitbulls out, but I don't think that's going to keep the cat out).

Am I being overly worried about the cat?

I have lost young chickens to cats but not fully grown hens. Have you considered getting a dog? An alpaca or llama would also protect your flock. Unfortunate neighbour. Good luck!

 

[PatriciafromCO]

The neighbor's cat has been hanging out around my chickens. The cat makes them very nervous, they all sort of go stock still, and the full grown ones flutter up to the top of the coop. The poor little pullets though just huddle in the bushes.

What's the chances that this cat's going to try to kill my chickens? I've thrown things at it, but it's quick. Also, talking to my neighbor won't solve anything. He is not the friendliest (we had a hard enough time convincing him to not let his pitbulls wander into our property around our toddler girls, and he keeps putting his cows in our pasture without our permission, we're going to have to repair the fence more -- he says his cows keeping mangling it up, that he didn't do it. So we we're planning to put in a brand new fence relatively soon, to keep both his cows and pitbulls out, but I don't think that's going to keep the cat out).

Am I being overly worried about the cat?

poor farm animal management "use" to be a huge offense. Local brand inspectors would step in and assist you as tearing up your fence was not acceptable. Today our brand inspector said their ownly job is registering animals. Funding for local authorities is not there for them to step in and enforce your neighbors controling their cows and mending your fence damaged by them. I have over 24 years fenced out my neighbors and their problems one section at a time. Having a fence allows your dog to work safely, and they have killed off many cats, that don't belong, stalking the birds.