Bobcat Tried My Chicken Run

[McChooky]

My cousin who lives next door to me has something against my electric fence because he's messed it up twice. The 1st time they messed it up I bought all new wire. The 2nd time I added new ground rods and added new wire but it still won't carry a charge . I think the chargers burn up

 

[cavemanrich]

My cousin who lives next door to me has something against my electric fence because he's messed it up twice. The 1st time they messed it up I bought all new wire. The 2nd time I added new ground rods and added new wire but it still won't carry a charge . I think the chargers burn up

Spoiler: Is this your cousin

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Well, the electrical wire isn't stopping the cat from sitting right outside it. Beautiful cat, but my chickens have barely any tail left to shed in fear! Positives from the wire is that it is running away faster and sitting on the grass for less time. It still paws the ground (turns over a bit of soil and stops), which I've still found odd. It hasn't gone deep enough (well, it hasn't gone deep at all) to even hit the skirt yet. The bobcat has actually come close two times since the electrical wire was up. And yes, this electrical wire is charged and on at all times. The charger's rated at 2J, 10.5kV. Whew it packs a punch, I've accidentally gotten shocked from the added wire and my shoulder has hurt for some days now. One day, I'll have my phone with me to get a good picture of the bobcat, since I only have pictures with it through the bushes as of now.

I have been thinking of ammonia rags for some time, however, I was wondering from how far can you smell it? I'm worried my neighbors or people in the woods might complain.

Does not seem like it has shocked itself yet, but who knows. It might enjoy a relaxing hobby of bird watching that it refuses to retire!

 

[cavemanrich]

I have been thinking of ammonia rags for some time, however, I was wondering from how far can you smell it? I'm worried my neighbors or people in the woods might complain.

Hearing complaints would be last thing of concern.
I also don't think odor travels far to be detected by people.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Well, the electrical wire isn't stopping the cat from sitting right outside it. Beautiful cat, but my chickens have barely any tail left to shed in fear! Positives from the wire is that it is running away faster and sitting on the grass for less time. It still paws the ground (turns over a bit of soil and stops), which I've still found odd. It hasn't gone deep enough (well, it hasn't gone deep at all) to even hit the skirt yet. The bobcat has actually come close two times since the electrical wire was up. And yes, this electrical wire is charged and on at all times. The charger's rated at 2J, 10.5kV. Whew it packs a punch, I've accidentally gotten shocked from the added wire and my shoulder has hurt for some days now. One day, I'll have my phone with me to get a good picture of the bobcat, since I only have pictures with it through the bushes as of now.

I have been thinking of ammonia rags for some time, however, I was wondering from how far can you smell it? I'm worried my neighbors or people in the woods might complain.

Does not seem like it has shocked itself yet, but who knows. It might enjoy a relaxing hobby of bird watching that it refuses to retire!

Okay well a bears nose, just do not but dip them in the ammonia soak like 2 or 3 minutes. Neighbors would have to be next to it.

 

[birdlady11]

Having a constantly live electric wire near the bottom of the run/coop to keep the cat from digging and another live wire at the top to prevent the cat from climbing up and over would be what I'd start with. That would prevent the cat from reaching your chickens and learning a painful lesson at the same time.

He clearly has become accustomed to the loud music and your presence and doesn't see either as a threat. You've got to get him to view you and your chickens as things that should be avoided. As such, I think the paintball gun is an excellent idea.

I had a friend with the same problem - a bobcat overly attentive to her chickens and quite comfortable with being close to her. So she got a paintball gun, practiced with it until she was confident in her ability to hit what she aimed at. She always kept the loaded gun with her when she was outside or within reach when she was inside. If the cat came anywhere near her when she was outside she'd nail it in the butt or shoulder. In a very short period of time, it saw her as a dangerous threat and would run at the sight of her.

If she was inside and the cat showed up she'd quietly aim from an open window or door and again nail the cat when it was coming near the coop. It didn't take too long before the cat viewed the coop as a place to be avoided. She stopped seeing the cat at a while. Paint guns hurt like hell when on the receiving end (leaves a good bruise or welt) and don't cause serious injury (when used properly - meaning not aiming for head or abdomen). It is also a very useful way of marking a particular problem bobcat so that EVERY bobcat is not blamed as being THE bad guy.

I'm proud of you that you are seeking nonlethal methods to deter the bobcat and are trying to live with the wildlife who share your small part of the planet. I wish you (and the bobcat) the best of luck in finding a peaceful coexistence.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Looks like you are ready to go now!

 

[McChooky]

Well, the electrical wire isn't stopping the cat from sitting right outside it. Beautiful cat, but my chickens have barely any tail left to shed in fear! Positives from the wire is that it is running away faster and sitting on the grass for less time. It still paws the ground (turns over a bit of soil and stops), which I've still found odd. It hasn't gone deep enough (well, it hasn't gone deep at all) to even hit the skirt yet. The bobcat has actually come close two times since the electrical wire was up. And yes, this electrical wire is charged and on at all times. The charger's rated at 2J, 10.5kV. Whew it packs a punch, I've accidentally gotten shocked from the added wire and my shoulder has hurt for some days now. One day, I'll have my phone with me to get a good picture of the bobcat, since I only have pictures with it through the bushes as of now.

I have been thinking of ammonia rags for some time, however, I was wondering from how far can you smell it? I'm worried my neighbors or people in the woods might complain.

Does not seem like it has shocked itself yet, but who knows. It might enjoy a relaxing hobby of bird watching that it refuses to retire!

The ammonia smell weakens over time.It has be re-soaked to be effective. The scent goes away when the rag dries and or it rains

 

[McChooky]

I do have humane ways to dispatch. I am also allowed to, with the trapping license, to call the wildlife services to take the cat away and dispatch for me after trapping it myself. Getting a trapping license would be the challenge and take time. I still need a license to trap a bobcat, even on my property. Music is usually rave music, rock, pop, etc. It's usually never calm. It is definitely used to us. I was in sight when it tried the second time yesterday. It wasn't startled by me, just backed away slowly when I was screaming at it. I really don't want to kill it because I've had my other beloved chickens end up being food for it. I like to think it went to a good cause, but now this cat is endangering more of my chickens, and possibly me.

The bob cat acts like its used to eating chickens .If its been a pet and fed live chickens it will not go away

Edit:
If its been eating your chickens for years it won't go away either