Browse ›
A grandma in a gray cardigan scatters grain for brown hens while an Abyssinian cat walks calmly among the chickens. 24 / 29

Grandma Loretta Scattered Grain for the Hens. One Member of the Flock Looked Different.

AI imageabyssinian catchickensfarm chores

Golden grain spills from Grandma Loretta's fingers onto the concrete floor, and a little flock of brown hens rushes in to peck it up. She crouches in the doorway of a cluttered back room in a chunky gray cardigan and plaid shirt, glasses on and a gentle smile on her face. Strolling boldly right through the middle of the hens is Saffron, ears tall and whiskers forward, showing absolutely no fear and no real interest in chasing. Shoes, baskets, storage boxes, and a potted plant crowd the room behind them.

Cats and backyard chickens can coexist surprisingly well, especially when the cat has grown up around them. Adult hens are usually too large for a house cat to treat as prey, and many will chase off a curious cat on their own. Chicks are a different story and should always be kept protected. A few tips help keep everyone safe. Supervise early introductions, give the chickens space to retreat, and keep chicken feed out of the cat's diet, since it is not formulated for cats. Good hand washing after handling poultry is also important, as chickens can carry germs like salmonella.

Saffron seems to see herself as just another member of the flock, or maybe its supervisor. The hens are too busy eating to care, and Grandma Loretta looks delighted by the whole odd little crew. Feeding time has never been more interesting.

More from this collection

All 29 →
A grandma in glasses and rolled-up pants dangles bare feet in the water from a dock while an Abyssinian cat sits beside her.Grandma Loretta Dipped Her Toes in the Lake. Saffron Had Firm Opinions About That.A grandma in glasses and a gray cardigan moves a checker on a porch table as an Abyssinian cat rests its chin on the edge.Grandma Loretta Was About to Make Her Winning Move. Saffron Had Front-Row Seats.
A grandma in glasses and a green shirt whittles wood on a porch table while an Abyssinian cat watches the shavings.Every Curl of Wood That Fell From Grandma Loretta's Knife Got Studied CloselyA grandma in a green cardigan tucks a cream blanket around an Abyssinian cat lying in a plush brown pet bed.Most Cats Won't Let You Tuck Them In. Saffron Has a Bedtime Ritual With Grandma Loretta.A grandma in glasses and a cream cardigan reads a book aloud on a couch while an Abyssinian cat lies on her lap listening.Grandma Loretta Opened Her Book and Started Reading Out Loud. Saffron Turned to Listen.A silver-haired grandma in glasses picks apples from a tree while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sniffs fallen apples in the grass.Grandma Loretta Was Picking Apples When Saffron Started Her Own Investigation