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A barn cat isn’t a specific cat breed but a term used to describe a cat that usually lives outdoors, either as a pet or a feral animal, on agricultural properties, usually sheltering in buildings. They’re also known as farm cats.
Any cat in the presence of chickens, including barn cats, can potentially attack and kill them. Feral, unsocialized barn cats are considered more likely to attack chickens, especially if they’ve done so successfully in the past. A pet cat accompanying you to your barn may or may not attack chickens. A pet can definitely injure chickens that they try to “play” with.
Remember, birds are a natural prey of cats. Even a feline that is usually pretty harmless may attack a chicken. You should keep smaller breeds and chicks away from cats, and protecting your chickens is vital—even if you aren’t worried about your cat attacking them.
How Do I Keep My Barn Cat From Attacking My Chickens?
You cannot train out this behavior. It is instinctual. Cats will attack chickens because they look like prey animals. No amount of training will prevent this in many barn cats.
Therefore, you’ll need to confine your chickens to a safe area your cat cannot reach. Usually, an enclosure is necessary. Luckily, it doesn’t often need to be very strong, as your cat won’t be able to break through most wire cages. Smaller chickens and chicks should be specifically protected.
However, most larger chickens will be fine—even with a cat known for attacking chickens. Chickens can weigh just as much as a cat in many cases.
- Secure your chicken coop: Make sure your chicken coop is secure and cat-proof. This means there are no holes or gaps in the walls or roof that a cat can squeeze through. You can also consider installing a latch or lock on the coop door to prevent the cat from getting in.
- Use a motion-activated sprinkler: Set up a motion-activated sprinkler near your chicken coop. When a cat approaches, the sprinkler will activate and spray the cat with water, possibly scaring them away. This doesn’t always work, though.
- Use chicken wire: Cover your chicken run with chicken wire or hardware cloth. This will prevent the cat from getting to your chickens but still allow your chickens to move freely.
- Use other animals: Many dogs can be trained to protect livestock, such as chickens. This is helpful because cats aren’t the only animals that may attack chickens.
Will a Rooster Protect Hens From a Cat?
There’s no guarantee that a rooster will protect hens from a cat. Roosters often attack other predatory birds that approach a flock. A common myth is that they’re defending their flock; however, this isn’t true. Rosters attack a predatory bird because they often think it is trying to “mate” with their hens.
Roosters also play the role of a sentry in flocks and often sound the alarm if they see anything they perceive as a threat. They have a different sound for aerial threats as opposed to land threats. In the absence of a rooster, the hens assume this role. A mother hen with chicks also assumes a similar role for her chicks.
Though roosters are definitely an addition that some farmers prefer, they aren’t guaranteed to protect your hens from a cat. The most probable course of events that may unfold is that they will sound an alarm, and the entire flock (including the rooster) will flee in panic.
Roosters are larger than hens of the same breed and, therefore, are often not the target of predators. Ultimately, you cannot rely on them to protect your hens.
Can a Cat Kill a Chicken?
Cats will have a very hard time killing a healthy, adult chicken. However, younger and smaller chickens are an easier target that some cats may be able to kill. It depends on the cat’s size and the chicken’s exact size.
Smaller chickens and chicks should be kept away from cats and other predators, preferably in a secure enclosure. Even the most harmless barn cat can kill a chick or small bantam chicken. It’s completely instinctual.
With that said, even larger chickens can be injured by a cat. Chickens are just not well-equipped to take on predators. A playful cat may also attempt “target practice” on a flock and may inadvertently injure your chickens when they pounce.
Conclusion
Barn cats are natural predators known to kill small animals such as birds, mice, and even rabbits. Chickens can be particularly vulnerable to barn cats, especially if they are young or small. While some cats may coexist peacefully with chickens, others may see them as prey and attack them. Therefore, taking precautions to protect your chickens from barn cats is important.
Even if you think your feline isn’t dangerous, their instincts may kick in at any moment. Plus, other felines from nearby areas may also threaten your chickens. When in doubt, always keep your chickens secure.
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Featured Image Credit: sergey kolesnikov, Shutterstock
