starting on the road to self suffientish-ism

[Loobyloo]

Hello all!

I have recently decided to stop just thinking about becoming self sufficient and actually do something about it.

One of the things on my list is to get chickens, however, I have two young cats (less than a year old) and am concerned that chickens and cats will not mix well.

Is it just a bad idea or can it work?

Any advice would be welcome

Thanks!
Loobyloo

(warning: this will be the first if many, potentially stupid, questions!)

[Odsox]

Greetings Loobyloo and welcome to the group.

Unless you cats are going to grow up to the size of tigers I wouldn't worry.
Chicken are quite able to look after themselves against an ordinary moggy and even if they do try, provided you feed your cats they will soon give up and try something easier that won't fight back.
But, if you're really worried you could always make an enclosed cat-proof run for them.

[Loobyloo]

Thank you!!

Now all I have to do is persuade the other half its a good idea and work out how to afford the hen house!

[Esther.R]

Even my two hardened hunters who think nothing of catching and eating an adult rabbit a day have been no problem at all with the chickens, even the bantam cockeral we have has never been as much as stalked by them. They will go out and catch any kind of wild bird, but chickens are just too much, even for them!

[Jim2806]

Keeping a rooster or two will also help stave off the cats.

I just posted this link in the 'links' thread, but I'll also post it here. These are some good guidelines when building a coop, and should answer some of your questions. There is also a link at the bottom of the page to some coop designs, though they don't need to be as elaborate. Good luck!

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/10.html

[weatherwax]

I have 5 cats and 3 chooks, the cats have tried it on with the magpies until they gang up on them, but the chooks are too much even for them :)