would it be really silly to get a cat?

[fryalot]

talking today about finally replacing our cat that died three years ago.

We both miss having one, we are both cat-lovers and we would like our kids to grow up surrounded by loads of animals.

We were wondering whether introducing a cat would be a really silly idea, or whether, if we get a kitten, the chickens will boss the cat around and they will be safe from the puss trying to make them chicken casserole.

Has anyone got a cat and chickens? If so, do they get on? Anything I should consider?

Or am I just being really, really silly for even considering it?

any comments muchly appreciated, ta.

Our cats are interested in the chicken, but the chicken is bigget than them and very much the boss. Cat 2 tries to pounce on her occassionally, but it's just playing - there's never a been a problem.

Chickens will rule over the cat Even an adult cat

yay!

we haven't got cats but had a problem with feral ones last year, and there are at least 10 around that wander about in the day.
They stay well away from our chickens.
I certainly wouldn't worry about the chickens with a cat around.

My PIL have chickens and did have a cat (and will have another one or two soon).

We have 3 cats, 2 aged 8 and 1 6 months. All have respect for the beaks and claws. They all co-exist happily. Often the cats will sit in the hen house and be chased out by a hen wanting to lay

We have 3 chickens and a mad 12 month old cat. Today, I heard a load of squawking and found the chickens circling the apple tree with the cat at the top too scared to come down. He often stalks them, but they're way too scary for him. Go for it!

I have a cat and introduced three chickens into the family last year. No real problems - they keep their distance from each other. Yesterday a strange cat tried to have a go at my girls and my cat had a right go, and chased it off. Very protective of 'his' chickens

no problems at all squonk.
We've always had free ranging chickens and cats, they've always ignored each other.
We got a new rescue cat in December and she has just started to get a bit braver and will approach the birds, but the hens are definitely king (Queens ) of the castle.

OUr cats are scared silly of the chickens!! the other day I saw "chicken tikka" give our ginger cat, Tomsk, the death stare and the cat legged it.
the cats (all 4 of them) are useful for catching any mice/rats that come with keeping chickens too.
only problem now is that chickens fight the cats for cat food so we've had to devise new feeding plans

One of our cats was trying to stalk them a bit yesturday but more for a bit of sport than seriously!

We have 3 cats and 4 chickens, all co-exist quite happily. Chickens squawk if a cat comes too close and the cat backs off!

Our Chooks are not bothered by our, quite large but pathetic cat, they take it in turns to chase her when the ponies are too busy to do it!

I am getting a retrieving dog (actually a point, hunt and retrieving) so I hope those chooks are quick!

We have 3 chickens and 2 cats. Our oldest cat is nearly 12 and was with us before the chickens (or the children actually!) and she stays well away from them having lost some fur to them in the very early days of them living here. Our other cat has been with us since january and is very young, she likes to try and stalk them but doesn't stand a chance and gets chased the length of the garden quite frequently.