Bobcat info?

[lizardz]

Anyone know anything much about Bobcats? Mainly what I need to know is will they jump over fencing or dig under it? And is it normal for them to hunt in the daytime? I always thought they were more nocturnal hunters, but all disapperances have happened during the day. We've lost four hens over the past month while they were out free ranging. We weren't really sure what was taking them - hawks, coyotes, neighbors dogs. Well, on Christmas day my DH and DS were out washing my car when they heard a huge ruckus from the chickens. They looked up just in time to see a bobcat running off with one of the hens. So now everyone is in permanent lockdown (boy, are they unhappy). The pen is large enough, but I plan to enlarge it now since they won't be able to go out and free range any more unless I'm sitting right with them. My DH and DS were less than 200 yards from the flock when they were attacked and our stupid dogs just sat there and watched (acutally, our beagle ran to the house wanting in - we think she had a run in with it last year - a long scratch and puncture wounds on her rump which the vet thought looked like the work of a bobcat). I'm not interested in trapping/killing it; I just want to protect my chickens, so any help on how we need to build additional fencing will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Liz

 

[S n M Poultry]

Bobcats can jump over an 6' fence no problem, They do come out during the day but it is rare to see them. I hope i could help

 

[SisterFlash]

Are you allowed to shoot BC in Calif?

Here I have found a bob cat in my garden during the day. Slipped through a small opening in the garden gate. He/she was getting stoned in my catnip. Once I got the gate open and herded him/her by walking around the outside of my fencing he/she ran out of the now wide open gate. I think what initially attracked the BC was the blue birds houses which were pretty acive with parents raising babies around my garden.

This animal was gone so quick....amazing how quick they move.

I have been told they will hunt anytime. I understand they are tough on house cats along with small dogs not to mention other small livestock.

If the animal is habituated to your property it will continue to return IMO. Some how you have to deter this animal via electric or a more perminate method.

good luck and let us know what works.

Barb

 

[S n M Poultry]

Well i dont no if you can shoot BC in CA nor do i care. one killed my pair of RP turkeys lastnight and i am determined to kill that little Son of a *****. parden my language but i am royally upset

I put so much work into those turkey. I hand raised them from day old poults. I really hope to get more poults in the spring. Sorry i had to vent!!!

 

[lizardz]

S n M - so sorry you lost your turkeys and I can understand your wanting to get rid of the BC. In my case, I don't mind sharing the property with it; just want to do what I can to keep my chickens safe now that I know what was actually taking them. And that's not to say that something else won't try to help themselves. We have hawks, coyotes, racoons, possum, skunks, and the ever present neighbors dogs. Wasn't sure about the BC, although we suspected we had one after the episode with our Beagle. Up to this last month, nothing had bothered the chickens (we've had them since March), so was feeling very fortunate and hadn't built a Fort Knox-like structure. Guess it's time. Anyone else have any input on what needs to be done aside from covering the run? Do Bobcats dig? Anything else I should know about them? Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
Liz

 

[WoodlandWoman]

It sounds like a nice, secure run is the way for you to go. Sturdy wire that won't be broken, small enough that paws can't reach through to grab chickens lounging around the edges. Covered, so nothing can fly, climb or jump in. To prevent digging, you can either bury wire down into the ground, slightly angled out or lay it on top of the ground, possibly with a light covering of soil, mulch or stone. That should take care of any problem, except bears. I think bears take electric fencing. Some people build lighter and use electric. We usually build heavier and skip the electric.

I've lived in several places over the years. From my own experiences and reading about others, it seems like when you first add chickens to a property, you often get a golden period, before the predators start showing up. It's too bad so many things eat chickens!

 

[panner123]

Well Liz, you know my feelings toward predators. But if you don't want to trap or shoot it, you will lose all your chickens to it. A bob cat is almost worse than a bear. I have both here as you know since we are neighbors. A bob cat that is hungry will clear a eight foot fence just as a deer will. If you make the fence twelve foot high it will climb a tree that is close to the fence and jump in. It will tear a hole chicken wire as a hot knife goes though butter. In order to keep them out you must put up a fence high enough to walk under that has a wire cover. If they are real hungry they will try digging under, but they are not the best diggers in the world. The best thing to do is not what you want to hear, a dead bob cat eats no chickens. A friend in Auburn learned the hard way, she lost over fifty of her chickens and a hundred plus ducks and geese. When her hubby and son started shooting them, they killed seven before they stoped losing their birds. They have killed three since that time. They live off Bell Rd. almost in town. Sorry about your lost chickens. john

 

[valerie]

I think it's time for the three S's
Shoot it
Shovel it
Shut up!

The bobcat knows there the 'drive thru' dinner is and he'll be back (at your expense)!!

 

[fallenweeble]

SnM and lizardz
i am so very sorry about your losses!

SnM, it was lovely to meet you and all of your birds today - they are all so very beautiful.
thank you so much for the silkies - they are wonderful. the little on sat in my lap all the way home and just snuggled down and went to sleep!

please let me know in the spring if you breed your moderns/seramas - after seeing yours today i am just aching for one of those ity bitty hens!

everyone affected by the BCs, please take care and be careful regarding these predators - stay safe and keep your chin up okay?

f. weeble

 

[lizardz]

Oh, Panner123, not what I wanted to hear, but I do need to face reality. While I would prefer to live in harmony with the wild creatures (to the point where I once relocated a rattlesnake - boy, was hubby upset!), there are times when it just cannot be done. I had planned on reinforcing their run, and I will try that first. But if it continues to happen, I will have no other choice. Thank you, everyone, for your knowledge, advice, sympathy and good wishes.
Liz