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An elderly man in a cardigan scatters grain for brown and black hens in a backyard as a Siamese cat walks among the chickens. 30 / 38

A Flock of Hungry Hens at Feeding Time, and Then a Siamese Walked Right Through Them

AI imagesiamese catbackyard chickensevening chores

A shower of seeds and cracked grain pours from Clarence's hand, and the hens rush in from every side. Russet and glossy black birds crowd the little golden pile, pecking furiously, while Clarence leans over them in his long knit cardigan, glasses low, watching with a patient half smile. Weaving right through the flock, as calm as can be, comes Sapphire. She steps between the chickens with her tail held low and her blue eyes fixed forward, unbothered by the flapping and clucking around her. A pair of rubber boots, a blue bucket, and potted plants line the porch behind them as evening sets in.

A cat and a backyard flock can sometimes learn to coexist, especially with full-grown hens, which are often big enough to stand their ground. Chicks and young birds are a different matter and should be kept well protected from cats. Introductions are best done gradually and under close supervision. Chicken feed is not designed for cats, and poultry areas can carry germs and parasites, so it is wise to keep a cat from eating feed or droppings and to wash your hands after chores. Regular vet checkups and parasite prevention matter even more for cats who spend time around livestock.

Tonight, at least, everyone seems to be getting along beautifully. The hens are busy with their supper, Clarence is enjoying the ritual, and Sapphire is simply taking her evening walk through the most interesting neighborhood on the property.

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A smiling elderly man in a cardigan holds up a yellow ball in a backyard as a Siamese cat lunges forward to chase it.Grandpa Held Up a Tennis Ball in the Yard. He Was Not Expecting a Cat to Answer.An elderly man in a cardigan plays an old piano while one Siamese cat sits on the piano and a smaller one sits on the bench.Grandpa Sat Down at His Old Piano Expecting One Listener. Count Again.An elderly man in glasses and a cardigan holds a fluffy Siamese cat beside a record player spinning a vinyl record.Clarence Put On One of His Old Records. Sapphire Tilted Her Head at the First Note.An elderly man in a green cardigan paints a landscape at an easel in the backyard while a Siamese cat lounges nearby.Grandpa Was Painting Trees. The Most Interesting Subject Was Lying at His Feet.