Bobcat Tried My Chicken Run

[McChooky]

I already have, this has been ongoing. They won't do anything. With the gun, yes I won't wield it. Trapping it takes multiple tests for the license plus reporting back trapping for the time I have the license (even if I only use it for one animal). We have electric fencing, but due to the space, it is quite difficult to get the cat to touch it. Yesterday was the farthest it has even come on my property. I have been thinking of electrocuting some meat and shocking the cat in the mouth, but I haven't checked if that is legal yet.

EDIT: An electric fence only works when it is on.Electrocuting the cat isn't likely possible.They can feel the electromagnetic field of electric fences( they avoid them) If the electric fence is working why do you want to bait the fence and electrocute it in the mouth? Cats rarely cross electric fences according to our DNR i.They recommended I put up one strand of electric fence at the top of my wire fence (supposedly one of the easiest predators to deter) The purpose of an electric fence is not to frighten the animal just keep it away( a powerful barrier) It can only work when it is powered on.Bob cats are wary of human beings.Even if its frightened of you it will still stalk your chickens because its ate your chickens before

 

[cavemanrich]

I haven't the slightest experience with guns.

I strongly suggest you avoid this option.

EDIT: An electric fence only works when it is on.Electrocuting the cat isn't likely possible.They can feel the electromagnetic field of electric fences( they avoid them) If the electric fence is working why do you want to bait the fence and electrocute it in the mouth? Cats rarely cross electric fences according to our DNR i.They recommended I put up one strand of electric fence at the top of my wire fence (supposedly one of the easiest predators to deter) The purpose of an electric fence is not to frighten the animal just keep it away( a powerful barrier) It can only work when it is powered on.Bob cats are wary of human beings.Even if its frightened of you it will still stalk your chickens because its ate your chickens before

I totally agree here.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

EDIT: An electric fence only works when it is on.Electrocuting the cat isn't likely possible.They can feel the electromagnetic field of electric fences( they avoid them) If the electric fence is working why do you want to bait the fence and electrocute it in the mouth? Cats rarely cross electric fences according to our DNR i.They recommended I put up one strand of electric fence at the top of my wire fence (supposedly one of the easiest predators to deter) The purpose of an electric fence is not to frighten the animal just keep it away( a powerful barrier) It can only work when it is powered on.Bob cats are wary of human beings.Even if its frightened of you it will still stalk your chickens because its ate your chickens before

Sorry about the electrocuting in the mouth. I saw someone else mentioning they successfully did it and the bobcat never came back. One thing I haven't clarified, which is my fault, is that my coop and what I call the day run is separate. There is electrical wire around the coop, but not the day run. The bobcat was going after the day run. It will take some work, because it's a tight space, but I think I could get electrical wire around the day run, but I am not sure without it being a hazard. Additionally, the cat took the opportunity when I was cleaning around their coop, meaning I had the electrical wire off. Is there anything I can do in that situation without frying my behind?

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

I strongly suggest you avoid this option.

Yes, every time I think about it I think "if only I had a gun.." and then snap out of it, knowing I have no training and don't plan on it. It would be the cheap way out, having a friend with ample experience sit there with a rifle, but it still seems too dangerous to me. There is still that part of me that would rather to keep the bobcat alive. It hurts me to see it right in front of me acting like a dog trying to get my chickens, but I know it is just an animal trying to get a meal. It will never understand what my chickens mean to me.

 

[cavemanrich]

There is electrical wire around the coop, but not the day run. The bobcat was going after the day run.

Get a electrical fencing around the run, That should solve most of your worries. Just a Hot Wire around there is insufficient. You need electric fencing.
Post some pictures so we can see the situation , and wont be guessing what to suggest

 

[cavemanrich]

Yes, every time I think about it I think "if only I had a gun.." and then snap out of it, knowing I have no training and don't plan on it. It would be the cheap way out, having a friend with ample experience sit there with a rifle, but it still seems too dangerous to me. There is still that part of me that would rather to keep the bobcat alive. It hurts me to see it right in front of me acting like a dog trying to get my chickens, but I know it is just an animal trying to get a meal. It will never understand what my chickens mean to me.

I'm glad you realize that. A firearm is a dangerous item in untrained hands.
I don't want to tell you how often I hear on the News, there are instances of bad things happening.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Get a electrical fencing around the run, That should solve most of your worries. Just a Hot Wire around there is insufficient. You need electric fencing.
Post some pictures so we can see the situation , and wont be guessing what to suggest

I will do my best some pictures in the morning. Essentially, I have around 4 inches of distance on one side (from a tree on the forest side) which has stopped me from electrifying that area. That, and my father is insistent on keeping a walkable path between the chicken coop and the run so he can access the forest, which prevents me from connecting the wire, but I think I can negotiate after this incident. I do have 6 wires going up to 3.5 ft high currently, would that be an appropriate fence? I tried to find higher poles, but I ran out of luck there.

 

[cavemanrich]

Setting up an Electric fence can get tricky and challenging. You have to remember that animal has to be well grounded, and touch a Hot fence. If the ground is dry, success is less likely. So in your case, the way you have your wires, will keep many predators away.
A more ideal way is to have a chain link fence, that bobcat has to climb to top. and over. That is where a HOT wire would be sketched. As bobcat has his legs still on chain-link fence (acting as ground conductor) , he touches the top wire,,,,, and gets zapped.
Your dad could be walking past the chain-link fence, and touch it,, and nothing would happen,, unless he touched the Top Wire.
When you post some pictures, we all can offer different solutions.

 

[McChooky]

Sorry about the electrocuting in the mouth. I saw someone else mentioning they successfully did it and the bobcat never came back. One thing I haven't clarified, which is my fault, is that my coop and what I call the day run is separate. There is electrical wire around the coop, but not the day run. The bobcat was going after the day run. It will take some work, because it's a tight space, but I think I could get electrical wire around the day run, but I am not sure without it being a hazard. Additionally, the cat took the opportunity when I was cleaning around their coop, meaning I had the electrical wire off. Is there anything I can do in that situation without frying my behind?

I had an electric fence around my chicken yard until a drunken neighbor tampered with it and it hasn't worked since (I tried to troubleshoot it but couldn't fix it) Most predators come back when the powers off. Bears can only feel the shock in their mouth or paws because their fur is long and thick.Baiting a fence lures the bear to take the bait and get electrocuted in the mouth and run away.I don't think it works for cats.They know when its got juice on it

 

[McChooky]

I will do my best some pictures in the morning. Essentially, I have around 4 inches of distance on one side (from a tree on the forest side) which has stopped me from electrifying that area. That, and my father is insistent on keeping a walkable path between the chicken coop and the run so he can access the forest, which prevents me from connecting the wire, but I think I can negotiate after this incident. I do have 6 wires going up to 3.5 ft high currently, would that be an appropriate fence? I tried to find higher poles, but I ran out of luck there.

Secure a piece of PVC pipe to the post to make it "taller" . You only need one strand of electric fence wire on top so it's shocked soon as it tries to climb over