DIARY OF A FARM CAT
How does Cookie get on with the other animals on the farm? Donya Donger tells of relationships across species.
We hear how Cookie finds living alongside other animal species.
Although we are a mainly arable farm, we do have chickens, seasonal cows, bees, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs here at Peacock Farm. As Cookie made the farm her own and claimed it as her home, she came to understand how the other animals live here too. Cats are known as solitary and territorial creatures but it is amazing how Cookie has formed relationships with the other animals that are on the farm.They might not be best friends — like she is with our Springer Spaniel Jess — but they share the space quite happily.
Cookie had already determined early on that rats, mice, and even the odd rabbit were fair game for hunting.As spoken about in a previous column, how she keeps vermin away from the farm is a real asset to the business.
It’s incredible how through a combination of feline instinct and gentle guidance cats know what is good to hunt and what is not — from our perspective and theirs.
FARM LIFE
We have free range chickens that produce enough eggs for us to sell in an honesty box at the bottom of our drive.We have a large chicken coop that is protected from foxes (that’s a battle we have not always won) and yet these birds aren’t worried about a feline hunter.
Cookie feels at home around the chickens as they
don’t really bother her and she doesn’t bother them.
The cows and horses though are a little bit more inquisitive.The cows only come into the field on the farm for a few months every year and whenever they arrive, Cookie is usually watching nearby.
The first time she saw them, she got up close and sat on one of the fence posts.After the cows initially ignored her, she obviously thought they were a safe bet like the chickens.They didn’t ignore her for long though.As Cookie was quietly sat on the grass in the field, admiring the view, she turned around and found herself surrounded by big wet noses!
She was frightened and jumped backwards which made all the cows jump as well. Who would of thought that a cat, the master of stealth, would be ambushed by the great hulking beasts! She soon scarpered out of the field and ever since has never let her guard down around the cows in case they sneak up on her again.
ALFIE THE PONY
The horses that live in the stables on our farm, I believe, have been tarred with the same brush as the cows, as Cookie watches them constantly, just in case, and wouldn’t settle in a spot near them. However, when I go to collect my little Shetland Pony Alfie to bring him in, Cookie follows me closely at my heels. If Cookie is in the way,Alfie nudges her with his nose! Cookie has learned to give him a wide berth when we’re all heading back in for our respective dinners.That doesn’t mean that they don’t get on though. I once ventured up the field and could see Cookie sat staring at Alfie who was standing a few feet away staring back
— I could have sworn they were having a chat!
The kids’ rabbits and guinea pigs were always a worry for me, as I thought Cookie might think they were large rats, and while I do sometimes catch her eyeing them up, I believe she watches the kids playing with them and so understands they are part of the family. Cats are such intuitive creatures.
Inside the house, dogs and cats are definitely not enemies. Canine Jess is definitely a friend to Cookie and they will often curl up together.
Cookie has gotten to know her territory and the different types of animals in it.Then one day, another cat turned up! I’ll tell you all about the second farm cat next month.