Barn Cats

Date sort Score sort
Barn cats do a great service and I think 2 or so is an excellent idea HOWEVER.... kindness /animal husbandry should rule here and ALL barn cats (no if ands or buts) need spayed/neutered asap (usually 2 lbs) Anyone that would tell you differently hasn't dealt with the horrors of cat overpopulations or they just don't CARE. As far as cats bothering chickens its a rare cat that would (although it has happened its just a rarity) and you would, hopefully, follow common sense and protect any youngsters until they are full size. Although I have never ever had any of my s/n barn cats bother youngster fowl I have generally had a Mama bird with the youngsters and that can help immensly. Again- no if ands or buts on the spay/neuter thing. You can find many places that will adopt out feral/semi feral/tame but have inside issues spayed/neutered/vetted cats.
smile.png
 
Thanks everyone. My birds roam the pasture most of the day, get locked up at night in their coop. I don't let many chicks hatch I collect the eggs daily. If I do have chicks they stay with mama. I'm thinkin two males and probably will have them neutered. My thought was get them young and if they try some funny business with a chicken the chicken or rooster would teach them real quick.
 
chickchoon1 said:
Barn cats do a great service and I think 2 or so is an excellent idea HOWEVER.... kindness /animal husbandry should rule here and ALL barn cats (no if ands or buts) need spayed/neutered asap (usually 2 lbs) Anyone that would tell you differently hasn't dealt with the horrors of cat overpopulations or they just don't CARE. As far as cats bothering chickens its a rare cat that would (although it has happened its just a rarity) and you would, hopefully, follow common sense and protect any youngsters until they are full size. Although I have never ever had any of my s/n barn cats bother youngster fowl I have generally had a Mama bird with the youngsters and that can help immensly. Again- no if ands or buts on the spay/neuter thing. You can find many places that will adopt out feral/semi feral/tame but have inside issues spayed/neutered/vetted cats.
smile.png
Click to expand...

There are also tons of places (at least in my area, there are probably many all over) that will spay/neuter for free if it's a barn / feral / outdoor cat!
 
There are some that have helped do that Nickles but most rescues/shelters are financially strapped as it is and need more help from the public/landowners if possible. I personally have had to opt for euthanizing the intact cats that were dumped/strayed to my property because all that was available were "low cost" s/n and even that was a daunting cost to me. Heartbreaking. And a mousers a mouser is a mouser from my experience. Even very "civilized" cats have turned out to be excellent hunters. Although the rescues here DO hand over the vetted (s/n) cats free of charge for barn use (with an interview of potential adopter, understandably).
 
Ah, that's a shame. Spaying/neutering is a big thing for me, it sickens me how many animals are brought home on purpose and then just left out into the world to multiply. Hurts the animals themselves, everything else that's already trying to live in that area, and definitely does a number on the overcrowded shelters. I think that's why so many private groups have popped up around here offering free spay/neuter programs, my area is trying very hard to at least put a dent in the cycle.
 
On the family ranch there are alot of feral barn cats and there have been problems with them stealing full grown birds. We have to cats that protect the flock from said barn cats that are still living. Some animals are good with chickens and some arent just watch and make sure yours behave.
 
I agree with the fixing of animals seriously. we moved up here two years ago and my husband sister left her unfix cat on the property in the care of his grandparents no one got her fix and there are hundreds of cats. I tried to talk her in to fixing the female cat that we can catch and calling a organization to help with the barn cats. But she wont have it. So we do what we can to protect the flock and if a cat becomes a problem after getting shot at, then it gets put down. They get feed plenty, but its retarded not to get them fixed and until i can convince them we sol. Our cats do a great job keeping them away, a week or so ago i chased a cat off she/he just got in the fence hadnt gone for a chicken but was watching them closely. We have different age groups so no outside cats allowed.
 
I can personally vouch for spaying and neutering being very important for the health of your entire homestead...

I got to help a neighbor find abd euthanize over 50 cats :( Too many cats, not enough food, health declined, and then a few rabid coons and now he has 2 cats left.

It was horrible; I even had to send some heads to CSU for tests... I don't think I'll ever own a cat again without making 100% sure it, and ALL of the possibility of stray progeny will be fed and taken care of....

I grew up with hundreds of cats; sure it was hard catching all the feral kittens every spring for shots, but if not spayed or neutered it gets out of control too fast, and disease sets in, and 95% Ioss stinks :(
 
Last edited:
shortgrass said:
I can personally vouch for spaying and neutering being very important for the health of your entire homestead...

I got to help a neighbor find abd euthanize over 50 cats
sad.png
Too many cats, not enough food, health declined, and then a few rabid coons and now he has 2 cats left.

It was horrible; I even had to send some heads to CSU for tests... I don't think I'll ever own a cat again without making 100% sure it, and ALL of the possibility of stray progeny will be fed and taken care of....

I grew up with hundreds of cats; sure it was hard catching all the feral kittens every spring for shots, but if not spayed or neutered it gets out of control too fast, and disease sets in, and 95% Ioss stinks
sad.png
Click to expand...
Sounds harsh but I am an extreme animal lover and people that claim to love cats (ME) and feed but won't s/n are causing sooo much pain/heartache for felines. Wish you were my neighbor so I could buy YOUR beef. I buy meat from a farm appx 70 miles from my home BECAUSE they support correct animal husbandry (s/n of their farm dogs/cats). I pray it becomes more the norm for farmers trying to accept modern kind animal care(and I hope ur neighbors remaining cats are fixed given your thoughts on the subject!)
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Jester57
    • Like
I’m seeking barn/feral cats for adoption in the Kansas City area
Replies
4
Views
680
Jester57
Jester57
bmerb
    • Like
Help with mites! I’m not sure if they’re red mites or NF mites?
3 4 5
Replies
43
Views
8K
chickentender_
C
TinyRaptorDodos
    • Sad
GRAPHIC PHOTOS what did this?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Luv Ducks
L
gimmie birdies
Tin Cat mouse trap
Replies
2
Views
532
007Sean
007Sean
kimspangrude
    • Like
Wild birds in the barn - what is a safe deterrent?
Replies
1
Views
666
Debbie292d
Debbie292d

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom