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Chickens Are Such Tattletales

We’ve seen an orange cat around here and I’m concerned that she’s going to try to eat my chickens.  The neighbor said they’ve seen the orange cat catch something in their back yard and eat it . . a mouse I’m hoping.  We could use a good mouser but I’m not much of a cat lover.  I wouldn’t do it any harm but I just don’t particularly want a cat.  Of course, I don’t particularly want mice either.

Every now and then, we hear a tiny little meow.  I keep telling Vince there’s a kitten out there but then we see the big, orange cat and he’s sure that it’s a big cat with a little meow.  (I think that’s how it is on Mars . . but not on Venus!)  🙂

Monday morning when Vince was leaving to go to work, he looked at me funny (I’m out on the back porch in my pajamas waving goodbye!) and when I asked what was wrong, he said “I think there’s a critter in front of my car!”  He went to investigate but couldn’t see anything so off to work he went.

I was cleaning up in the house and the chickens kept squawking.  I walked outside to see what was wrong and they were all standing under the carport,  still as could be, staring in the same direction.  They do that when there’s a deer in the yard, of if they find a snake, or even when a stranger comes up.  I figured it was a snake so I went to investigate.  I knew something was there that they weren’t used to seeing.  Their faces give away exactly what they’re thinking!  OK . . they don’t think much but I still knew something was up by the way they were all staring at something.

Just about the time I got up into the carport, I saw something run by . . it was small and furry.  A mouse possibly.  I walked around to where I saw it go and here’s what I saw.

A Kitten!

Can you see his little face there behind the plastic netting?  I called Vince and told him that yes . . there was a critter in front of his car and it was a kitten . . the exact same color as the orange cat we’ve been seeing.  Both the big cat and the kitten remind me of Creamsicles but Creamsicle is too long of a name for a kitten.

That evening we put some food out for the kitten and . . it looks like we are the proud owners of an orange kitten.  I don’t think the mama cat is taking very good care of it.  He looks about 8 weeks old so maybe she thinks it’s time he “launched”.  We heard the tiny little meow and Vince went out and saw him and said he’s a cute little kitten.  I do not want a cat but it looks like I may not have that option at this point.  If he or she is staying, we’ll have to figure out how to catch it when it’s a bit older and get it to the vet to be “fixed”.  Sounds like a very good job for Vince, don’t you think?  No . . not the neutering part . . catching the cat and taking it to the vet.

 

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Comments

  1. Judy, you make me laugh so hard re. Vince and kitten. How great you are to take in the cat, not sure I could, but knowing you, he/she will be part of your tales soon and the laughs will continue. Good luck!

  2. If the little ginger one finds a home with you think you will both have fun together. I have a cat, Black & White, and it is great company and even walks down to the river with me, she does have a mind of her own but is great fun

  3. Yeah I think it was over when Vince said he was a cute little kitten 🙂

  4. I am a cat lover. Don’t worry about your chickens, that little kitty is scared to death of them. (I am a farm girl and have always thought chickens could be really mean- even a full grown cat is no match for chickens.) We have a yellow barn cat that has no meow at all, his mamma was the same way.

  5. Cats also get rid of snakes, bugs and lizards. I know because my Maine Coon loves to captueb those things then play with them until they die. Or get away.

  6. I have several cats that hang around the chickens, one in particular thinks she is a chicken and probably eats their layer crumbles! She has never chased them and they ignore her. You might check with the pound and see if there is an organization that traps and neuters feral cats….they have some really good traps that you can use to trap the cat and then usually have a deal with the local vet to give rabies shot and spay or neuter for a really low price. If I have a trap, I put their food nearer and nearer the trap until it is in the trap and then let them get used to eating in the trap before I release the trapdoor. (I tie the trapdoor open for awhile, until they are sure it is safe!) Some cats will go right in and some need some tricky business!

  7. You’ll both have this kitten purring in your laps before you know it. Seriously, that’s how it works. I know from experience . Our cute little “outdoor only kitties” are now almost 4 years old and we love having them around – and we don’t have snakes or mice near the house. Your cat will love helping you in the garden – and catching any little lizards you may have. Congratulations. he he he

  8. Awwww – the kitten is adorable!!!! And right now I think that he (or she) is petrified of those big chickens! With good reason! Now you’ve been talking about keeping the mice population down – and now you have a solution – a YOUNG solution to be sure, but a solution!
    And yes, I love kitties – I have 4 – did have 6 but lost 2 and cried buckets over them

  9. Aww! Definitely cute! My cats don’t bother the chickens (I have 3 indoor/outdoor cats). They actually help keep the mice out of the chicken feed and the workshop and the shed. I’ve also seen them hunt lizards and even grasshoppers (definitely film-worthy, I was laughing so hard watching I couldn’t breath). If one of the cats gets too close to the chickens, the chickens chase them. I would suggest making friends with the kitten, that will make it easier to handle when it goes to the vet. I would also suggest getting it its shots so you don’t have to worry about Speck picking up something.

  10. Love that story. And if you fed it you own it. Your chickens will be safe from the kitten, but it might not be safe from them. My grandmother once had a chicken that attacked one of my uncles every time it saw him, until the day he got fed up and whacked it with a plank. Mom said they had chicken stew that night.

  11. Afraid I am in the minority here… I am not fond of cats… and stray cats often have kittens in our garden area… poor husband has accidentally taken one half way to work before it fell out of motor onto highway… broke my hubby’s heart but it wasn’t his fault.. We had to pick one up from road the other day.. some driver didn’t stop.. wish owners would be more responsible…

  12. We live in the country and have had bad experiences with feral cats and Silky chickens. They have even taken adult chickens, which would be nearly the same size. I have learnt to protect the chickens well, especially chicks..

  14. Oh golly! He’s darling! My cat never bothers the guineas and even the feral cats ignore them. I wouldn’t let the cat around chicks but a grown chicken should be fine. Keep picking the kitten up and let him get to know you. My little man showed up here at about five weeks old and has totally imprinted on me. He comes when i call his name, loves to chase our dog and stays inside at night, but hides if anyone else is around. He’s 8 months old now and tomorrow is neutering day. I’m so worried because he really doesn’t know there are other people in the world. I’m afaid they are going to think he’s a wild man! Oh and your mouse population will decreae significantly!

  16. My niece says orange kitties are naughty kitties. I say orange kitties are fun kitties. Hope Vince can catch him and tame him. He needs another pet. 🙂
    I think we are going to have stray babies around here in a few weeks. 🙁

  17. Yep, you know I think that’s a cute kitty. But make sure you take care of your allergies! How far are you from the nearest hospital? Do you have an epi-pen?

    • I forgot to tell you how our chickens adapted to the alpacas when the came here. We locked the boys up in the barn their first night and when I went out the next morning to chech on them, Don had already let the chickens out. They were all lined up at the fence separating their run from the barn. The chickens were all looking up into the barn and had the most quizzical expressions on their faces…”what in the world are those things and where did they come from”. It was hysterical.

  18. Oh how cute and funny at the same time !! Well guess you get to be another “fur parent” even if ya don’t wanna be. LOL

  19. Ok I have a couple of things to say about kittens, squerrils and chickens. We have the neighbors chickens coming to our house about 4 times a day to eat. We have the neighbors cats that come all day and night. We have squerrils that come all day and night too.
    Now the chicken and roosters rule the roast around here for sure. They chase everything off. When either comes the fur flies and feathers either. The rooster claws them to death. It is so funny to watch. So Judy I don’t think you have to worry as long as your rooster is mean..

    Now as far as the name Creamsicle just make it sicle but I would leave it. He or she will come as long as you call it the same thing. We had one called motorboat and he sounded like a motor boat when he purred. Now his brother named Jasper couldn’t make a noise at all. No sound came out. So just cause it is a little meow don’t worry.

    Cats keep snakes away if you don’t over feed them in the summer . They might being mice to your door dead as a present sometimes too. Had one they brought us snakes, moles, rats and gofers up and left for us. Like here I brought you something…..
    So good luck you might like cats after all. And if the cat gets bite by snake don’t worry it will recover .And it never happen again . makes them hate snakes that much worst.

    I don’t have any cats now but I’ve had as many as 15. The neighbors cats brought their kittens hee when they got ready for fun again. I’m a sucker for wayward animals.of all kinds. Enjoy…..

  20. Oh looks like a little sweetie! Just keep feeding and talking to it and it will tame. We have an orange tom (fixed of course) and he keeps the rodents out of the garage and shed. Earns his keep even though he leaves footprints on the car.

  21. We have a stray cat too – after years he is still ever so mean – greets me with a hiss every morning! I love having him around though. He keeps the deer out of the front garden bed (yes, he does!), chases away racoons and muscrats (he is a meanie). After a little work now he lets me pet him when he is eating – that way I can give him his Advantage (which also keeps him from getting mites). He is pretty low maintenance – but this week he had an infection and I had to give him Rx, but he is feeling better now. Sometimes the cat just picks you.

  22. Hi Judy,

    You lucky girl! Orange kitties are the BEST!! I say this as a feline vet (now retired) and fond caretaker for about nine fabulous cats in my adult life. But Orange Boy, Panino, was the funniest cat I’ve ever met.

    This little one knows how to select his caretakers!!

    Thank you for sharing (I won’t have to Google “orange kittens” today)
    Joanna

  23. That is the cutest kitten! I had an orange cat once, but he got out while I was gone one day and never came back – sure missed him! Do be friendly to him, pet him and feed him and you will be able to catch him when you need to. I believe that cats should be in the house, particularly during the night, as there are coyotes which can get them. Your kitty will grow up to keep the snakes away and be great fun.
    Of course, I love cats.

  24. Well, a barn or carport cat could be a handy little mouser. For what it’s worth, Judy, I’ve had a lot of cats in my life and it’s always the orange ones that are the very best. So full of personality and generally just good cats — and great mousers. You may have to set a have a heart trap to get him off to the vet for neutering, but I’m sure you know that.

  25. wouldn’t you rather have kitties than mice, snakes and grasshoppers? this kind of makes you an official farm..

    if that mamma cat had a mind to bother the chickens she would have by now. if you have mama and baby neutered that’ll end the kitty chain. i’m surprised there’s only one kitten. there may have been others that didn’t survive and she moved this one to safety. she knew kind hearts when she saw you two. orange cats are the most affectionate.

  26. Cats choose who they want to live with you know. And I think you have been chosen. I’ve never gotten to choose my own cat. One always appears when I’m about to need a new one and it’s usually one that’s in real need of a good home.

  27. i agree with everyone else–keep the cat if you possibly can.
    cats are definitely different from dogs, but there’s a good many of them who more than earn their keep by checking the bug, snake, and mice population. and yes, 8 weeks old is about the time when the kittens are kicked out of the nest by momma cat to fend for themselves, so this little one definitely needs some help.

    • p.s. if ‘creamsickle ‘ is too long a name, you could always name it ‘Sunny” after your gold quilt, “Sunny Side Up”.

  28. A little cat info for everyone, female orange cats are very very rare. I would be surprised if the adult feral cat was the mama.

  29. I have never heard of a cat harassing chickens…..I think you’ll all adjust just fine. I’ve had two orange xats in my lifetime and they were both doll-babies. Peaches would be cute if its a girl!

  30. My suggestion, trap the mama cat and take her to a shelter. Put food and water out for the kitten and stay near by so it gets used to you. If you raise the kitten and feed it, most likely it will not bother the chickens. There were always cats at my grandparents farm, and there were always chickens the two co-existed with no problems.

  31. You can raise a kitten to be around chickens with no troubles. Adult cats? not so much. Cats can be wonderful pest control. You don’t need to do much for them at all. However, I would suggest getting the kitten spayed or neutered if you plan and letting it hang around so that more kittens will not appear. 🙂

  32. I love all your stories so much! I get such a kick out of your chickens especially. My sister and I keep telling ourselves that “some day” we want to raise chickens together and I’m forever sending your blog posts to her so she can see what it might be like in the “real world”. LOL Thank you SO much for sharing your world!

  33. I love ready your blog you always make me laugh either with the chicken stories, when my feet where in the air because your talking about snakes (yes, I’m terrified of snakes) and now the kitten.

  34. My parents got chickens last summer and their 3-year old cat played with them. She was actually even protective of them a little, so if you raise this little one with chickens around, I doubt you’ll have any trouble. As for getting it fixed, we have more than our share of feral cats and a live trap works quite well (and I wouldn’t be surprised if you have one?), just bait it with canned cat food for a sure thing! And I’d give your vet a call to see if they’ll work a deal with you. Mine is great – I have 5 indoor beasties and since I have that relationship already, they’re willing to work with me to control the feral population.

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