OV9

Another random cat-related question. If I were to get some chickens too, would it be better to get them before I get the cats, or vice versa. Or is it a recipe for disaster either way

Gavster wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 8:43 am If I were to get some chickens too, would it be better to get them before I get the cats, or vice versa.

Failing to answer your question at all - as is tradition - if you are considering chickens, then you should also possibly consider ducks. Their eggs are marvellous (I should really have given you some to take away when you were up here).

Our departed bengal, Hazelnut, used to chase the neighbours' guinea fowl but they always got the better of her. I'm not sure if a fully grown chicken is easy prey for a cat. Any chicks would be of course.

If you’re in London, half your neighbours will have cats, and then there’s going to be all the foxes. Your home will be known as the KFC spot for all the local animals

mik wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:04 am

Gavster wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 8:43 am If I were to get some chickens too, would it be better to get them before I get the cats, or vice versa.

Failing to answer your question at all - as is tradition - if you are considering chickens, then you should also possibly consider ducks. Their eggs are marvellous (I should really have given you some to take away when you were up here).

This!!!!

Chickens are twats, ducks are entertaining.

Dave!

Yeah I know but figured it's worth a try. I can build a slightly odd-shaped 2.5m x 4m enclosure which will be partially covered, will have the hen house, plus some perches, a dust bath etc and can be fox-proofed for them to hang out in day-to-day. With a bit of work on the rest of the (admittedly small) garden they'll have grass etc to do a bit of supervised roaming during the daytime. Need to do a bit more research but feel it should be possible for a small amount of hens, e.g. 3 - 5 max.

Do I need water for ducks though? Like a pond or something. My garden is pretty small

They need access to drinking water (duh, but more of it than chickens etc as they use it to sieve out dust and mud from their bills), but constant access to sufficient water to bathe in isn't essential. They do love a paddling pool though, and an opportunity to clean & preen.

We give ours a paddling pool 3 times a week so they can have a bath.

We are making a fixed pond we can easily clean this summer but it’s just being extra nice, it’s not needed.

Dave!

New addition to the family. He's a little diamond, just got him home from the rescue centre today and I've never known such an affectionate cat on day 1. I was expecting him to be off hiding but he's just wanted to be around us all day, getting cuddles, playing etc. Even fine with the enthusiasm of our 4 year old daughter. It does almost feel a bit like he's trying to keep us happy because he thinks we're going to abandon him or something.

Awww

Got to love a friendly puss. As I can’t have a cat in my house with two demented fully trained killer sight hounds (racer and a courser) I like to have a play with customers/friends cats. Always makes me sad when they turn tail and run away

I had a cat that looked like that when I was a kid (RIP Max), lovely! What's his name Duncs?

What a dude - great news Duncs

Fantastic. He looks a happy chap! Please tell me you called him Socks or Mittens or something.

speedingfine wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:50 pm I had a cat that looked like that when I was a kid (RIP Max), lovely! What's his name Duncs?

Well, the wife had been dealing with the rescue place, and from her calls with them she told me and the daughter that he was called Merlin. Anyway we got there to pick him up and apparently the centre has themes each month that they name them, when he arrived there it was a fish theme and his name was Marlin. Anyway, by this point we'd become quite fond of the name Merlin for him, so we've stuck with it.