Doves and Cats.

[Peaglenut]

Hello all.
This is probably gonna sound really stupid. I have a cat, I have chickens and they get on fine. Other cats leave them alone too, probably because of their size. What about cats and fantailed doves? I would love a small dove cote sited high in the tree in the garden but WONT EVEN CONSIDER getting any until I was sure about the cat thing. I have no experience of doves at all so really have no idea of how aware they are. I would hate to get them and lose them.
I think it's probably a big no no but would like to hear from anyone, even if it's just to confirm my concerns.
Many thanks. P

[Trees Gray]

IF you enclose the dovecoat so that it is predator proofed, you could get the fantail doves, otherwise it is a big NO NO, with cats allowed to roam freely I wouldn't consider it. Cats will climb anywhere, and they are domestic predators and I wouldn't trust any loose around my birds.

You might also consider keeping the cats indoors, that would work.

[John_D]

Only safe place for pigeons/doves outside where a cat can roam is behind secure aviary wire.

Dovecotes can, of course, be on very high poles away from anything a cat could jump from (and inconvenient for human access too), or high up on a wall - but the birds are fond of foraging on the ground

John

[Peaglenut]

Yes. I know you are both right The neighbours have cats too. I think I will have to shelve the dove idea and be content with the chickens. I did get excited about the idea but I know I have to be sensible about these things.
Thank you for the advice though.
Warm regards
Paula