Bobcat in our yard

[Jennifer Y]

Hi! I have two backyard chickens that sleep in a coop by our back door, but free range during the day. This morning, at about 10am, I heard a ruckus and looked out to see one of our birds fly over our porch to the other side of the yard. A both were raising heck, I ran outside, located the other bird still on the right side of that yard, THEN noticed a huge bobcat slinking along our fence line. He took off when he saw me, but gave me quite a scare.

We remained outside with them on and off all day. My daughter and I saw him walking on the top of the fence three doors down from us. They must be pretty agile! Then heard him back behind our fence in the wooded area about twenty minutes later. He slinked away again when he saw me, but we didn’t see him the rest of the day.

It’s a good thing we were home for Christmas break, but, my goodness, what do you do about bobcats? I am thinking of keeping them inside if we are not right there. Anyone have a history with bobcats or any advice they can share? I can’t find any info on how to scare them away.

Thanks in advance!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would go on lockdown for a couple of weeks minimum. It will be back.

Good luck

Gary

 

[Molpet]

Ditto on lock down

 

[Stayc]

I had a hawk stalking all day too. Its lockdown time unless you can remove the predator.

 

[cavemanrich]

Bobcat is hungry and only searching for a meal. Be understanding. Only suggestion is to have predator proof housing, and run. He will return!!! SORRY, BUT THAT IS REALITY..........
WISHING YOU BEST and .......

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with everyone here; chickens in their safe coop and run, for a couple of weeks minimum. Hawks generally will move on, but I don't know about bobcats. If they stay in one territory, you may need extended lockdown, at least until you install that electric fencing!
See Premier1supplies.com, and HowardE here also has good advice about electric.
Mary

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I absolutely agree with Cave Person.

Bobcats can be elusive (allusive? what's the difference?). They blend in well and kind of slither around without announcing their presence. Not really slither. They're not snakey, and I happen to love and respect them.

But we do have bobcats here, and I know they're capable of scaling tall fences and crafting their way into so called secure enclosures. And a friend on here lost one of her chickens to a bobcat not so long ago.

I'm glad for the reminder to kitty-proof the chicken yard. I had a hawk situation a few days ago, and a coyote attack a few months ago. Three species that can strike any time of day or night.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

we have the odd wild cat where i live, (have had lynx, bobcats and cougars around our place) they never stick around long they move on, we might see some foot prints or see the animal one or two times then never again.

i would lock down for a while.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Did you get any pictures of the bobcat? If not you should take pictures of it. You might be able to contact a game warden and tell him that there is a bobcat that is coming too close to your house during the daytime. He may actually go and get rid of the bobcat for you. Lock down may be good for your birds if your coop is bullet proof. A very hungry animal may actually destroy your coop to get your chickens.