cats!

today early this morning a large tom cat came into my garden -i hadnt thought of cats being preditors! Luckily my coop has its own covered run although the hens saw the cat and they all froze to the spot the cat was wagging its tail and checked the coop and run for ways of gaining entry! I let my little dog out and he chased the cat out from the garden -i was going to extend the run with some chicken wire and posts but this wouldnt have a roof -if the cat had gained access to the hens would the cat have caused damage or death to my hens? -i really hadnt given cats a thought! -yet there are a lot of cats in the area

Most chickens (adult) will see off a cat.

Bantams and chicks may be in danger if the cat in question is an efficient hunter, but adult large fowl should be OK.

Our 2 cats have never shown any interest in our hens but chicks in a broody pen was a different thing! Old net curtains came into their own as we covered chicken wire with them until chicks were about 5 weeks old.
 However, a few minutes ago I watched as one of the cats leisurely strolled up the drive and was chased off by our ducks mum, a light sussex, she wasn't taking any chances.   Good luck

everyone mentions fully grown hens - well mine are 19 wks old now so are they classed as fully grown?

well my hens seem quite big for 19 weeks so can you tell me what age is a hen when it is adult ?

Our 4 moggies are used to the chooks being in the garden and house so don't really bother.  Last week Freya hid in the coop when the in laws dog was over and also had to give up the cat biscuits to the chooks when they came in  

The Sablepoots are about collard dove size and the cats are quite able and often do kill them, the doves that is, so cats and poots are never left alone.

It's the neighbourhood cats that cause the problem