Barn Cats?

[FrostRanger]

Can cats really be trained? I'm going with no. They might do what you want them to but that's because it just happens to be what they want to do.
Best hands down mousers ive had were Bengals but they aren't usually cheap. I've always always heard females are better hunters then males. Idk how much truth there is to that but it is the case with our many work barn cats.

Cats are actually quite trainable. Some are more willing to please than others obviously but food goes a long way with many cats

As for op, best mousers I've encountered are manxes and their mixes. One of the ferals Lana Skye a few days after hanging around regularly left a dead mouse in the yard. Her sons ended up being absolutely amazing mousers too. They have absolutely wonderful temperaments too! They are doglike in how friendly they are, even Lana who is feral will follow me around like a puppy. I think more important than the breed, your best chance of getting a cat who hunts is if they had a mama who hunts. As for how to make sure they stick around, feed them regularly and they'll usually stay close, you might even attract some locals who will help with mousing too

 

[PatriciafromCO]

you can post on your fb local community group to find kittens from working barn cats available.

 

[FrostRanger]

I have eight mousers, I got them all from a rescue or the cat distribution system. They work remarkably well as I've never had a pest problem since having them.
You need to get one that is fixed or you need to plan on fixing one, they will multiply and be sickly feral little beasts in the blink of an eye and trust me when I say feral cats are 10x worse than mice.
Females are better mousers, males will probably be friendlier to you and meaner to bigger pests like possums and coons, short haired is less problematic, and I really wouldn't bother buying a "breed" if it's just going to be an outdoor cat, cats are prey to a lot of things and as far as I know you don't have any dogs to keep your cat safe.

You just need to feed them and they won't leave. Keep it in a kennel for a week or so and it should decide this is a safe place with food and no competition so this is home. Microchip your cat if you want it back should someone pick it up or something but don't put a collar on it since those are just a hazard and you might find your cat hung up or caught on something, plus all the bells and mirrors that cat collars come with are actually meant to keep your cat from killing things.
I also require pictures once you get it btw

Depending on your neighbors, a collar might help ensure they know the cat is owned. If you do get a collar though make sure it's a breakaway collar so if they do get caught the collar will come off. Yes, a microchip is still a good idea but it's quicker to tell that a collared cats is owned than an uncollared cat

 

[NotabitaiI]

Depending on your neighbors, a collar might help ensure they know the cat is owned. If you do get a collar though make sure it's a breakaway collar so if they do get caught the collar will come off.

That's a good suggestion.

Yes, a microchip is still a good idea but it's quicker to tell that a collared cats is owned than an uncollared cat

That's a debate I've had in my own head over the years, I know a couple of my cats have gone off and found new homes, but I honestly just couldn't handle it if one of them went missing and I knew they had a hunk of nylon already clasped around their necks that could potentially malfunction or hinder their escape from something even if it worked perfectly fine. I know break away collars are supposed to be safe but I'm still deeply uncomfortable with them and I'd rather not spend money on something they'll likely lose or something that could make me question their fate if they didn't come home one day. I'm just paranoid like that and most sensible people will look at my chubby little floofs and know they have a home.

It's a personal choice, I don't hate collars but I don't like them. For an indoor cat or a serial bird killer I'd be fine with it but for my tree climbers who encounter predators on a daily basis I like em nekkid.

 

[FrostRanger]

That's a good suggestion.

That's a debate I've had in my own head over the years, I know a couple of my cats have gone off and found new homes, but I honestly just couldn't handle it if one of them went missing and I knew they had a hunk of nylon already clasped around their necks that could potentially malfunction or hinder their escape from something even if it worked perfectly fine. I know break away collars are supposed to be safe but I'm still deeply uncomfortable with them and I'd rather not spend money on something they'll likely lose or something that could make me question their fate if they didn't come home one day. I'm just paranoid like that and most sensible people will look at my chubby little floofs and know they have a home.

It's a personal choice, I don't hate collars but I don't like them. For an indoor cat or a serial bird killer I'd be fine with it but for my tree climbers who encounter predators on a daily basis I like em nekkid.

Totally fair, I have neighbors so I don't want them mistaking my cats (mainly Phoenix as Raven stays inside while Phoenix likes to sneak out) as strays

 

[CCsGarden]

Do you have a Humane Society there? If so, just call them up and ask if they have any. We just went there as we were looking for a cat, any cat, and after seeing their ones for adoption, they showed us four barn cats and one was Stella. She was about 6 months old and didn't grow up on a farm. She had scratched a child who was considering adopting her, so they couldn't adopt out a cat who scratches and she became a "barn cat."

Best cat ever and such a good mouser.

She was let outside after a couple of weeks, and a camera picked up her following a skunk past one of our growout pens. She was still considered a kitten!

Yes, I do have one over here

 

[CCsGarden]

Depending on your neighbors, a collar might help ensure they know the cat is owned. If you do get a collar though make sure it's a breakaway collar so if they do get caught the collar will come off. Yes, a microchip is still a good idea but it's quicker to tell that a collared cats is owned than an uncollared cat

I have a lot of land out here and the neighbors are close but far at the same time. I just have to make sure the coyote doesn't get them

 

[Anon112]

One more question, How would I ask for a barn cat? Do you have to go and see what you want or how does that work?

Our Humane Society has a separate adoption program for barn/"working" cats. I agree with the suggestion to reach out to any local Humane Society/animal rescues in your area.

I no longer have outdoor/barn cats (for various reasons), but there is a local stray who patrols my yard and keeps an eye on the rats.

One caution is that a barn cat might go after chicks, so take care if you have little ones running around.

 

[Anon112]

I have a lot of land out here and the neighbors are close but far at the same time. I just have to make sure the coyote doesn't get them

So in all seriousness, having something to climb is a lifesaver for cats when dealing with coyotes. If you don't have trees in your yard, you can install climbing poles.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

If you adopt a barn/ working feral kitty from a rescue etc they come fixed and where I live they tip their left ear. Here, it tells people it is a feral, but fixed. They usually come at a low cost, if any at all. If you don't have a barn or shed for shelter, an outdoor cat house is recommended. We have built quite a few out of Styrofoam coolers or totes and always use straw to fill them as fabric gets wet and freezes.