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A white-haired grandma in a quilted vest pours grain for brown hens while an orange tabby cat watches from the side. 9 / 29

Grandma Scattered Feed for the Hens. Somebody Else Showed Up for Breakfast.

AI imageorange tabbychickensfarmyard

Golden grain spills from a little scoop in a bright stream, and the hens are already gathered around, pecking eagerly at the dirt. Grandma Hazel crouches in the yard in her olive quilted vest and blue plaid shirt, white hair piled in a bun, smiling as she shakes out breakfast. Marmalade has trotted right up beside her, orange tail curled, ears up and eyes fixed on the scoop. He seems far more interested in the grain bucket than the chickens. Rubber boots and a blue watering can sit by the steps, and a weathered fence encloses the little farmyard.

Cats and backyard chickens can often coexist, especially when the chickens are full-grown. A healthy adult hen is usually large enough that most cats will leave her alone, though chicks and young birds are vulnerable and should be kept safely separated. Introducing a cat to a flock calmly, while supervising, helps both sides get used to each other. Chicken feed is not harmful in small nibbles, but it is not suitable as cat food, and moldy feed should be thrown out for everyone's sake. Washing hands after handling poultry and keeping the coop clean are good habits around any farm animals.

Morning chores like feeding chickens give the day a sense of purpose and keep people moving. Having a curious cat tag along makes the routine more cheerful.

Marmalade may consider himself the farm supervisor, but the hens clearly have their own opinions. For now, everyone is too busy with breakfast to argue.

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