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A grandma crouches in a henhouse sprinkling grain for brown hens while a ruddy Abyssinian cat walks beside the birds. 5 / 29

Grandma Ruth Went to Feed the Hens. Copper Strolled Right Into the Henhouse.

AI imageabyssinian catbackyard chickenshenhouse

A golden stream of grain spills from Grandma Ruth's fingers onto the dusty floor of the henhouse, and the chickens are already crowding in. Plump russet hens peck eagerly at the feed, their red combs bobbing. Ruth crouches low in her chunky cream cardigan, silver hair tied back, watching the flock with a gentle, practiced eye. Strolling right through the middle of it all is Copper, the lean Abyssinian, tail held high and amber eyes fixed straight ahead. He walks among the hens with the casual confidence of a cat who considers himself part of the farm staff. A wicker basket, a blue water dish, and potted plants on the windowsill fill the cozy coop.

Cats and chickens can share a farmyard peacefully, especially when the cat is calm and the chickens are full-grown. Adult hens are often big enough to stand their ground, while young chicks are much more vulnerable and should be kept well away from any cat. Supervise early meetings and watch the cat's body language for stalking behavior. Chicken feed isn't harmful in small amounts, but it isn't a suitable diet for a cat, and droppings can carry bacteria, so keep the cat's food and water bowls separate and clean.

Copper seems to have reached an easy truce with the flock. The hens are far more interested in breakfast than in him, and he's more interested in following Ruth.

Farm chores go by faster with good company, even when that company has whiskers and an air of authority.

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