Barn kitties and ducklings

[FenDruadin]

Hello,

I know some of you have kitties that are great with ducklings, and some that are NOT SO GREAT with ducklings, and I have a question for those of you whose cats fall into the NOT SO GREAT category.

I am thinking of getting a couple rescued feral kitties to set up as barn cats in our yard, to help control the rodent population out there. But I'm concerned about two things:

* The security of ducklings and quail located in rabbit-hutch-style pens outdoors and,
* The security of ducklings in outdoor grass pens during the day

Currently, the ducklings (and soon-to-be quail) are kept in the type of hutches that are constructed of plywood and 1/2 inch hardware mesh--very sturdy and so far have proved predator-proof despite the many raccoons, possums, foxes, dogs, cats, etc. that wander through our yard practically nightly. But would a cat who considered the property to be its "territory" be a more determined predator and perhaps figure out a way to break into the hutches? Has anyone had that happen?

The second issue is a bigger concern, because currently the ducklings are let out during the day to forage in grassy pens constructed of panels (1/2 inch hardware wire) with bird netting stretched over the top. A determined kitty could conceivably jump or climb on top of one of the panels, tear up the bird netting, and jump down into the pen to prey on ducklings. Not having had outdoor cats before, though, I don't know whether this is actually a realistic scenario. And if it is, any suggestions for ensuring the birds have access to fresh forage but the cats don't (or at least, not to fresh duck dinners)?

Thanks!!

 

[nataliewt]

We have a feral cat in our barn who just kind of made himself at home. He could get into my little chickies if he wanted - they are about 10 days old, but he leaves them alone. (He would have to cross over my broody Muscovy mama's nest first!) The only time I ever see him is when I bring scraps and he comes slinking around to see what he might steal. Now that it is warm he is out hunting most of the time, I think.

 

[FenDruadin]

Thanks, Natalie! I wish a feral cat would just make her/himself at home here, although I might end up with kittens that way which I DON'T want. The feral cat adoption place has the cats neutered/spayed, brought up to date on shots, vetted, and they assist with providing containment, etc. for the transition period. They also provide a return policy that means if the cat doesn't work out (for instance, it's breaking into the brooders and eating my ducks, or we have to move for reasons outside our control), it has a safe home to return to until it can be re-homed. So it's a pretty good deal for us.

Thanks for the input--I'm just waiting now to hear from my husband whether he is game for two kitties or just one--then I'll contact the rescue place and see what they currently have available for placement.

 

[katharinad]

Our cat was a stray one. She was an offspring of the feral ones out here. She started to hang around the house while still a juvenile, so we put up a trap. Caught her, bought her to the vet, had her fixed and shots given. After that we kept her in the house in a dog crate for a few days to heal. She turned out to be really sweet, so we let her out of the crate. She became friends with the dogs right away. Then she made it out through the dog door and could not figure how to get back in. We still had the trap outside, just in case there were more cats. She walked right back into the trap just to get back into the house. After that she figured out the dog door. She was really interested into the duckling we had back then, and I bet she would have had it if we let her. She lost complete interest once the ducks head was higher then hers. Cat are not territorial like dogs are. Perhaps males are towards other males. They do their own thing and don't care about others. She does a good job of killing and even eating mice. She had a preference for some type of mice to be eaten and other only to be killed. She always leaves the head of the ones she eats, and they are different then the ones she only kills. I don't worry about her being around adult ducks or quails. I don't even think that she would actively try to get in with the baby quails. She is curious, but that is about it. Get kittens you raise first in your house before you put them into the barn. That way they are more friendly and you can handle them for their annual vet visit. It will not stop them from hunting mice. You do not want an adult stray that is just outright nasty. They will never be your friend, and worse you not give them to someone, because they don't work out on your farm.
Katharina

 

[FenDruadin]

Thank you! That is a very funny story about the trap--smart kitty!!

I have thought about kittens, but I like the idea of helping out some feral kitties, and these can go back to the rescue organization if they really don't work out for us. Plus, they're already neutered and vetted, etc.

Anyway--it's great to hear others's stories and glean your advice. Thank you!!

 

[katharinad]

Forgot to mention that we did get the prior cat from a rescue shelter. It's actually a no kill cat rescue shelter. That was before we had birds. She had cancer in older age and we had to put her down. She was a good mouser. We were going back to the shelter to get a feral kitten, but that's when we found one on our property. In anyway, make sure you get one that can be handled and does no bite. I think it is best to get a young one, I mean one less then 6 months old.
Katharina

 

[FenDruadin]

Thanks, Katharina! I will ask the rescue to set us up with one or two that are easy to handle.