An Illinois farm cat has gone viral on TikTok after her owner discovered her sharing her custom-built shelter with a surprising roommate—a chicken.
In a video shared by @sagewindfarmstead, Kayla Thompson, the cat’s owner, lifts the roof of a small cat house she built and finds a hen sitting comfortably inside with her calico cat, Wednesday.
“Are you renting it out? Got an Airbnb situation going on here?” Thompson jokes in the clip, which has racked up over 18,500 views and more than 4,000 likes. She adds in the caption: “POV: your porch cat has a side hustle. We get one-three eggs door-dashed directly to the cathouse every day for collection now thanks to Wednesday’s business acumen.”
Thompson, who runs a small regenerative pastured pork farm, told Newsweek she inherited the semi-feral cat when she moved in. Over time, the two bonded, and Thompson built Wednesday a cozy straw-filled shelter on the porch.
But it seems Wednesday isn’t just lounging around. “Recently I believe she has started a new side hustle with the chickens because I frequently find her cohabiting with the hens in the cat house and sometimes even sitting on the eggs,” Thompson said.
The unlikely friendship has delighted internet users, with one commenter saying, “That chicken is definitely lecturing you about how landlords aren’t allowed to enter without at least 48 hours advanced notice!” Another joked, “Oh she’s not subletting, they’re sharing the latest farm gossip!”
While many found the situation funny, some pet owners might wonder if cats and chickens can safely coexist. Dr. Paola Cuevas, writing for Catster, notes that while cats can pose a danger to small chicks, adult chickens are usually safe, especially when the cat is on the smaller side. Cats can even help by keeping pests like mice and snakes away from the coop.
Still, each cat is different. Experts suggest speaking with a veterinarian before introducing cats to backyard chickens.
As for Wednesday and her feathered tenant, their partnership appears to be going strong—and egg deliveries continue right to the cathouse door.
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