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An elderly couple crouch to scatter grain for chickens by their back door while a Siamese cat walks among the hens. 11 / 31

The Hens Came Running for Dinner. One Guest Wasn't a Chicken at All.

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Evening chores have a soft glow at Harold and Ruth's place. They crouch together near the back door under a warm porch light, Ruth in her green jacket letting grain trickle through her fingers, Harold in a knit beanie and plaid shirt holding a metal can of feed. The hens crowd in, red, speckled and golden, pecking busily at the scattered grain. Walking calmly through the middle of them is Miso, tail low, blue eyes on the camera, as if he were just another member of the flock. Muddy boots, a basket of eggs and a coiled hose wait by the door.

Cats and backyard chickens can share space, but it takes care. Adult hens are often larger than a house cat and can be surprisingly bold, and many will chase off a cat that gets too close. Chicks, on the other hand, are small enough to trigger a cat's hunting instincts, so they should always be kept safely apart. If you want the two to coexist, supervise early meetings, let the animals approach at their own pace and give the cat an easy escape route. Good hand-washing after handling chickens and their feed is a smart habit for everyone in the household too.

The hens are busy, the feed can is nearly empty and the porch light is on. Miso strolls along as if helping, which, in his own quiet way, he probably believes he is.

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