I certainly don't mind it. I moved here 30 years ago with the intent to eventually move 'closer to town' with a nice house, etc. Now, they would have to drag me kicking and screaming from this place.

Sometimes, I head out the door to go to work in the early morning and surprise my neighbor's peacocks and peahens in my yard. They start calling and take off toward home. Have you ever seen a flock of peacocks flying? Pretty amazing. I'd imagine a lot of people have never seen that.

As for the cats, I really don't know. There is a sort of feral cat that has been hanging around here for years. A few times, I have seen him stalking my chickens. The hens don't really put up with it, though. When they notice the cat, they charge him and he runs off. He may have developed a respect for their beaks and claws, as have my little dogs.

I have told my wife those hens would eat us if they had half a chance.

One neighbor's (larger) dogs have got under the fence and torn the hens up a couple of times. I told him if it happened again I would not think twice about putting them down. Not something I relish, but completely legal if they are attacking livestock. Chickens are livestock.