Browse ›
A silver tabby British Shorthair cat sits beside a tortoise by a wire fence with hens in the yard beyond. 28 / 33

A Silver Tabby and a Tortoise Watched the Hens Through the Wire

AI imagebritish shorthairtortoisechickens

Through the wire fence, a flock of hens is scratching in the yard, and two spectators are watching carefully. A silver tabby British Shorthair sits tall with his round yellow eyes fixed on the birds. Next to him, Moss the tortoise stands with his neck out and his shell patterned in earthy tones. A basket of laundry, a pair of boots and a coat hang in the room behind them, and the floor is covered with a woven mat.

Chickens are fascinating to cats, but the two should be kept apart. A cat may chase or harm birds, even if he is only playing, so a sturdy fence is important. Chicken coops can also carry germs, so wash your hands after handling birds and keep cats and tortoises away from droppings. Tortoises should not be allowed to roam freely among other animals. British Shorthairs are calm, sturdy cats who tend to be good-natured, and this one seems happy to just watch. Supervision and a secure fence keep everyone safe.

The hens carry on, and the audience of two keeps watching. The cat is alert, and the tortoise is patient. It is a quiet show, and they have the best seats in the house. If the hens ever look up, they will find a rather solemn pair of onlookers, and they will probably go right on scratching.

More from this collection

All 33 →
A pale blue point Siamese cat leans down to touch noses with a tortoise on a cluttered wooden floor.A Siamese Cat and a Tortoise Said Hello Nose to NoseA grey tabby cat and a tortoise sit together in a cardboard box lined with straw on a cream rug.A Gray Tabby and a Tortoise Moved Into the Same Cardboard Box
A black cat rests her head on the shell of a tortoise in a wicker basket lined with a cream blanket.A Black Cat Napped on Top of a Tortoise in a Wicker BasketA brown tabby cat and a tortoise rest on a worn black tractor seat in a cluttered, warmly lit workshop.A Brown Tabby and a Tortoise Took Over the Tractor SeatA cream Devon Rex cat sleeps on her back on a cream blanket while a small tortoise rests on her belly.A Tiny Tortoise Napped on the Belly of a Sleeping Devon RexA fluffy white cat walks across a backyard lawn with a small tortoise riding on her back.The White Cat Gave an Old Tortoise a Slow Ride Across the Yard