Bobcat using a tree to get at our birds

[gerryhouser]

It finally happened, after ten years of raising chickens we have suffered our first lost due to predation. We believe it was a bobcat. We have a row of trees along one side of our chicken run and one tree inside the run, The run has a 8 foot high fence around it. I found deep claw marks in the trunk of the tree inside the run and one of the trees outside the run. No sign of the hen except a lot of feathers inside the run and a trail of feathers leading into the under brush. I've installed 6 foot tall sheet metal collars (4 feet above the ground) around all the tree outside the yard. Hopefully this will keep our rare, if unwelcome, poacher out.

 

[al6517]

Good thinking on the collars, hope they work for you.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

The cat doesn't need the tree to get in since it could just as easily climb the fence

I'd try to trap it

 

[7L Farm]

Might add hot wire to your set up.

 

[aprophet]

a grey fox will climb a tree too

 

[gerryhouser]

Thanks for the input all. Unfortunately the collars did not work. We lost two more chickens yesterday. Need about $100 to add an electric wire along the top of the run. Don"t have the money, but, I do have enough material laying around to try and add a 3 foot wide 'wing' at about a 15 degree angle along to top of the fence. I'll let you know.

Buy the way, we did confirm it is a bobcat. The beasty left prints this time.