Bobcat

[Artichoke Lover]

I have a bobcat that’s been stalking around my chicken coop is there anything I can do to discourage it from hanging around? Do I need to reinforce my run? My coop is secure but my run is just a chain link dog cage on dirt. Will a bobcat dog under to get to my chickens?

 

[CluckerFamily]

A hot wired fence will repell the bobcat. Bobcats can climb also.

 

[Weeg]

Hot see is a great idea. You can also purchase predator replant lights, and predator pee to put around your property, to maybe make it think a cougar is near by. I can provide links for both products.

You should reinforce your run and coop, make sure that nothing can get in in any way possible. You have to do everything you can so it doesn't make a kill. It is much easier to get rid of if it hasn't eaten anything yet.

He may try to dig under, though I have never heard of it. You should bury your fences, or even run cement along the bottom if you could, but not everyone has that opportunity, and especially not just gonna happen in one day. What is your coop and run setup of there the dog kennel? Pics?

 

[Artichoke Lover]

It’s dark right now I’ll try to get pics in the morning. The run is attached to the chicken coop which is secure. It was designed to hold up to anything short of a bear. We lock the chickens up in the coop before it gets dark. The run is my main concern.

 

[Weeg]

It’s dark right now I’ll try to get pics in the morning. The run is attached to the chicken coop which is secure. It was designed to hold up to anything short of a bear. We lock the chickens up in the coop before it gets dark. The run is my main concern.

Got it. Do you have your run layered with hardware cloth over the larger chainlink, so that nothing can reach through? That is what I would do, worry less about them digging under. Did you see this Bobcat during the day, or at night?

 

[Artichoke Lover]

Got it. Do you have your run layered with hardware cloth over the larger chainlink, so that nothing can reach through? That is what I would do, worry less about them digging under. Did you see this Bobcat during the day, or at night?

Haven’t actually seen it just multiple signs. Paw prints, scat, the latest was a hair ball which is what confirmed that it’s a bobcat. I knew they were on our property but this is the first that’s come this close to the house. I had 2 deer cameras set up next to the coop but they both died this week.
I don’t think it’s been by during the day but it’s impossible to know for sure until I get a new camera set up.

 

[Weeg]

Haven’t actually seen it just multiple signs. Paw prints, scat, the latest was a hair ball which is what confirmed that it’s a bobcat. I knew they were on our property but this is the first that’s come this close to the house. I had 2 deer cameras set up next to the coop but they both died this week.
I don’t think it’s been by during the day but it’s impossible to know for sure until I get a new camera set up.

Okay, it is likely it was there at night. Lets get your coop Bobcat proofed, and I can help with that after a few pictures tomorrow. Do you eat them free range? I wouldn't for a little bit situ to be safe. Don't want to encourage any attacks.

 

[cmom]

I had a bobcat dig under a fence and kill 14 birds one night. I did trap it and eliminate it, which some people won't agree with, but it should have never came back. I don't free range anymore due to losses from predators in the past. I have around 200 birds. I don't like loosing even one. After that incident, I put electric wires around my coops and pens, concrete under the gates and good heavy duty netting covering the pens. I also have several game cameras up around on my property. Here is a bobcat recently outside my chick/grow-out coop. I'm sure it knows the electric wires are there and won't get closer. I think the adult predators teach their young that a chicken isn't worth getting zapped for. Good luck...

 

[bryan99705]

Make sure your coop roof is secure and consider a guardian dog. you will see signs if the cat tries to dig under but cats are not known to be diggers. They can climb about anything and have a huge jump span. Deterrents work well to start but will fade or be outsmarted, a dog learns quick and is always on guard

 

[cmom]

This is the bobcat I eliminated. He kept coming back so I trapped him and eliminated him. I have seen others since but they haven't tried to get my birds. I don't like to eliminate anything but if they are persistent and kill my birds, I will.