[DMT2011]

Well, the chickens met the cats ( or vice-versa ! ) this morning. One soon lost interest after a few loud sqwauks and some puffed- up feathers + the fact he couldn't get to them.

Our female cat is rather more curious ( and sadistic) and hasn't taken her eyes off them yet from the patio door, behind which she is presently detained! She's the sort of cat who would sit there upsetting the hens for a good hour before losing interest.

Having said that, the chickens don't seem to mind too much and just resumed their chicken activities as soon as the cats backed off a bit.

I'll keep an eye on them!

I've put some pictures here:

http://t.co/BtVXn5t
http://t.co/3ZQLSzR
http://t.co/MU37w0c

[joyfull]

cats generally are no problem for chickens especially after receiving a swift peck 
Pretty looking birds 

[AL Hathaway]

Yeah I agree with Joyfull i have 3 Maine Coons they are a large Breed of Cat the male (Tuffy) is around 20 pounds atm  but he is Afraid of the Hens as he was sleep once and they pulled the hair on his tail when he was sound a sleep and landed on him in one of their mid flight frights and scared him very badly. Now if it were chicks Fair game he would eat them all and not think twice about it.

The other Female (Tink) is almost 3 and don't really care now the 6 month old kitten (Tia) loves to play with them but the Poland has her sussed out she fluffs up and chases her off thinking she is uber tough chicken and does a strut that would put a rooster to shame but no dead cats no dead chickens and all the neighbours have cats and don't bother them.

[DMT2011]

Yeah I've been watching them this morning - they seem more curious than anything.

Our male cat keeps sneeking up and makes the odd sudden movement making a bit of a flap but he just keeps losing interest.

I've had hem out in the run earlier (which the cats could easily get into if they wanted ) and they haven;t bothered - whether that's because I've been there though I don't know.

I'm just cautious because they've had a couple of pigeons in the past!

The chickens appear to be having a rest / sleep now.

Will they sleep anywhere? they are just sat on the floor of the enclosed run at the moment as opposed to in the house.. 

[Casey76]

Uh huh... the coop is for sleeping in at night... during the day they will sleep anywhere - usually where there is a patch of sunlight - very much like cats!

[sneezer]

Mine also make a purring sound if the sun is on their backs and they have had a lovely dust bath!  Lovely looking girls you have!!

[Foghorn-Leghorn]

Our four cats leave the chooks well alone - despite both ginger toms being major hunters of other critters.

Poor Evie, our Siamese had a very aggressive peck aimed at her this weekend by our Bluebelle - she was just running down the garden, minding her own business when Beryl the Bluebelle made a beeline for her and tried to peck her!

The chickens are definately top of the pecking order in our garden.   

[DMT2011]

Thanks for your replies - it's reassuring to know you're not alone!

I was surprised the chickens all made their own way into the coop at about 6:30pm. I had to "plac them in last night. First night nerves probably!

Two of them are fine on the perches and sit next to each other roosting. The 3rd one, unfortunately for her, is sat on the floor of the coop beneath them!

I've rearranged her and placed her onto a perch though. Might have a peek later to see if she's learning the ropes!

[evie2]

Our hens take even less notice of the cats as they do the hens and both totally ignore our rabbits except when the rabbits are being fed, the hens like to help which usually means wet feet for me, as they knock the water jug over and the food bowls being emptied quicker than I can fill them