A cat killed The Duchess of Yolk :(

[Pdxile]

Hi there, my name is Helen and like many first-time posters I have a problem. I have 4 4-month old hens. But yesterday I had 5. One (the Duchess of Yolk, my favorite) was taken down by a large orange cat. I was too late. Before my doggy used to keep the cat out, but he died last week.

They have an 8X10 coop, so there is plenty of room to keep them locked up. But they are pets and deserve to have the run of my yard like any other pet.

What cat repellent have you used to keep cats away? My property is surrounded by a fence but the cat go over it.

Trying to do some research, so many repellant recipies! I though I might jump on here for the voices of experience.

Thank you for reading my overly-long post.
Helen

 

[iwiw60]

So sorry for your loss. Do you know who owns the cat? If it were me and I knew where the cat lives I'd be marching my behind over there and tell them they owe me a new hen! Of course, I'm not a cat person so it wouldn't bother me one bit to pepper it with some .22 salt shot. That'll keep him away.

 

[goldfinches]

Well, I've been trying to trap a fox with a live trap baited with tuna fish, but just keep managing to catch cats. Once they're caught...

If you know who the owner is, he owes you $$ and he also needs to keep his cat off your property.

 

[Pdxile]

There are only about 10 houses close to me (semi-rural) and I've been from door-to-door asking about the ownership of the cat. Others wondered also, it seems everyone has seen it. It is actually a very striking looking cat, and even a non-cat fan like me will admit that.

I have set out a trap, and we'll see what tonight brings. And (please don't flame me) I'd have no problem taking permanent measures but it could not be done safely.

Has anyone used a homemade repellent or commercial perpetration that works? I figure this is not the only cat I will have to deal with ever.

-H

 

[The Lazy L]

...What cat repellent have you used to keep cats away? '

A 22 short will take care of small predators rather handsomely.

 

[iwiw60]

A 22 short will take care of small predators rather handsomely.

Ya got that right, Lazy L!!!

 

[ChickenPox]

I have not heard of a cat killing a full grown standard sized chicken, but I"m sure it's possible. Guineas might be a good cat repellant, but they might be chicken repellants too. I'm sorry the stray got your baby. I agree with the SSS or at least relocating it to the local pound if you do manage to catch it so they could dispose of it.

 

[ELauraD]

It is possible the cat is feral...

 

[enola]

I lost 3 adult hens to a cat last month. Trapped it. Drowned it. Best cat repelent I have found........

 

[ChicknCommander]

Best solution would be a quick humane kill. If ya take it to a shelter it will live in sub standard conditions and eventually meet the same fate. I always buryy predators on my land instead of tossing em in trash just never felt right leaving em laying and it could attract more??