Chick Chicken Cat Kittens Together Friends Love Photography
Can You Keep Cats And Chickens Together In The Same Backyard?
Senior Editor • Backyard Chicken Coops
Last Updated: 30 December 2014
Cats and chickens can definitely be trained to live together. They don't seem like obvious ideal roomies, but we know for a fact that the feline and the poultry can become great friends in the same backyard!
Getting cats and chickens to get along is through the same method as most other domesticated animals - through training, patience and careful supervision. We know they certainly can be trained to live together, as we've had testimonials and photos from our animal-loving customers show us just how friendly these animals can be!
Cats and chickens are both inquisitive creatures, but cats do have the upper hand when it comes to a tussle. So, most of the training will be focussed on getting your furry friend to meet the chickens peacefully, and learning to be calm around their presence.
How should I start?
It's important to remember that cats are curious creatures. The more you take something away from them, the more they will want to investigate! So it's important to make sure the cat knows the chickens are a normal part of life, not something they're restricted from seeing.
It's best to start by introducing your cat to your chicken through the safety of a wire mesh fence.
When introducing your cat to your chickens for the first time, you will probably notice your cats hunting instincts come into play. There might be some hissing, or your cat may begin to arch. This is where you should re-assure the cat that everything is normal. Scratch them behind the ears, stroke them, toss them their favourite toy to play with - something to take their mind of the predatory instincts they're feeling.
Continue this for a few weeks, always supervising and ensuring your cat is behaving like a good feline should!
Once the cats have observed each other through a fence for a while, you can trial an introduction face-to-face.
When you feel your cat is ready for the next step, you can start the first face-to-face introductions.
The best way to start is by gently holding the chicken around the cat, and seeing how your feline friend reacts. It's best to not let go of the chicken straight away, so you're still in control, but it allows the cat a closer look at the chicken. Observe how your cat behaves - if they seem unphased by the presence of the chicken, then it might be time to move on to the next stage. If you can see any predatory instincts or unsavoury behaviour, scold them and let them know this is not acceptable. Continue this until the cat seems no longer intrigued by the chickens presence.
Finally, once you feel comfortable that your cat is unphased by the chickens, you can let them both out in the backyard for small supervised periods.
Let the chickens and the cat out for small periods, whilst you're casting a watchful eye. Again, it's a good idea to have the cats toys outside to distract them from the chickens, and to make them seem like a low priority compared to fun times! Once you're confident that your cat will leave the flock alone, switch to small unsupervised periods. If everything's fine, then you've done well!
Are there any other ways I can keep my cats and chickens together other than months of training?
In this day and age, some animal owners just don't have the time to train their animals for weeks (sometimes months) - as much as they'd like to! There is another solution to the cat and chicken dilemma, that will have both parties purrrfectly happy sharing the same space. That solution is to get a coop with a run enclosure attached for the chickens to free range in, instead of letting them out into the backyard. This means your chickens are safe and still have access to fresh grass and dirt to dust bathe in, whilst the cat can still enjoy the great outdoors without being able to get through to the chickens. Our Taj Mahal, Penthouse and Mansion with Mansion Run's are a great solution to time poor animal owners who can't supervise training sessions between their flock, and furry felines.
Remember, not all cats are created equal.
When it really comes down to it, an owner knows their animal the best. So, when training, gauge your cats reactions, and move to the next stage when you feel they are comfortable. It could be faster, it could be slower - it all depends on your feline friend. Also, keep in mind that older cats are probably going to be less fussed about the goings on of the chickens in the backyard, whereas a sprightly young feline might require more training and patience from their owners. Just keep in mind that the result will definitely be worth it, when your feathered and furry friends are living harmoniously in the backyard together.
It's not just about the felines you know.
Quite often, family households already have both a cat and a dog. This can seem like even more of a dilemma when it comes to the decision of whether to get chickens! But, don't be put off - both the feline and the canine can be trained to share a space with a backyard flock. We've got the testimonials, training stories and photos to prove it! In fact, dogs are very commonly and effectively used to protect chickens against foxes and other potential predators.
If you've got some canine pals in your family, you can definitely still get chickens - here are some guides on how to train your dogs to get along with new feathered friends.
So, if you've got a cat, the moral of the story is don't hesitate to get chickens!
If you have a household cat, don't be put off getting chickens. With a bit of training and patience, you can definitely keep both in the same backyard! Or, if you'd prefer, you can always let your chickens free range from the safety of a run enclosure. Our Taj Mahal, Penthouse and Mansion Run is a great way to let your chickens get the fruits of fresh air, whilst letting your cat roam free around the backyard with their new feathered friends.
Sources and further reading
Related Articles
The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Happy and Healthy Backyard Chickens
by Kassandra Smith January 13, 2021
Chickens are one of the most rewarding and fun pets you can keep in your backyard. Not only do chickens provide protein rich, nutrition packed...
View full article →
6 Essential Accessories For Your Backyard Chicken Coop
by Backyard Chicken Coops January 08, 2019
Make sure your girls are happy and healthy with our guide to the 6 essential items all chook keepers need! Hemp Bedding This is not...
View full article →
Everything You Need To Know About Fertile Eggs
by Kassandra Smith January 13, 2021
What are they? Technically speaking, fertile eggs are where the 'blastodisc' turns into a 'blastoderm' - the first stage of a developing embryo. In layman's...
View full article →
Different Coloured Eggs and the Breeds That Lay Them
by Kassandra Smith January 09, 2021
It's a very common practice among backyard chicken keepers to keep LOTS of egg-exquisitely different breeds! Why? Chicken keeping is quite addictive and once bitten...
View full article →
The 4 Essential Tips for Keeping a Rooster in your Urban Backyard
by Kassandra Smith January 09, 2021
Roosters are a contentious issue among backyard chicken keepers. On the one hand, these charming chaps can be a huge benefit in keeping your flock...
View full article →
Top 5 Treats for Chickens
by Kassandra Smith February 26, 2021
To keep chickens happy, healthy and laying bounties of delicious eggs, they need to be fed a varied diet rich in protein and calcium- most...
View full article →
Poultry Nesting Boxes - The Facts
by Kassandra Smith January 13, 2021
It's morning! Time to peek inside those poultry nesting boxes and gather all the egg-ceptionally fresh eggs! This is truly the most egg-citing part of...
View full article →
Do I Need a Rooster in My Backyard Flock?
by Kassandra Smith January 12, 2021
Plain and simple, the answer is no! Hens are one of the most captivating creatures on the face of the earth. They are beautiful, intelligent,...
View full article →
Incubation: How To Tell If An Egg Is Fertile Or Infertile
by Kassandra Smith February 05, 2021
Not sure whether your eggs are fertile? There are a couple of different methods you can use to see if there's potential life inside an...
View full article →
Wyandottes: A Comprehensive Guide
by Kassandra Smith January 10, 2021
Wyandottes are splendid birds that come in an endless variety of colours. This American bred bird is incredibly popular all over the world - not...
View full article →
Gender Bender: When Your Hen Thinks She's A He!
by Kassandra Smith January 10, 2021
You have yourself a lovely flock of girls- they get along harmoniously, you collect their delicious fresh produce each and every morning- everything is going...
View full article →
Chick Chicken Cat Kittens Together Friends Love Photography
Source: https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/blogs/learning-centre/can-you-keep-cats-and-chickens-together-in-the-same-backyard
0 Response to "Chick Chicken Cat Kittens Together Friends Love Photography"
ارسال یک نظر