This subject came up on a livestock group. There is a wild cat expert/rehab person on there who offered this advice. It applies more to livestock, but I'll post it FYI.
"I used to lecture about cougar behavior and biology in this area. Firstly, they are ambush hunters and prefer to stalk their prey in hiding and then pounce. So, if there is topography like a cliff or escarpment or thick underbrush within striking distance, try to eliminate that. By moving a fenceline or clearing brush (good fire practice anyways), also any pens and children's play area. Generally 50-60' is their max, if it's over that, they won't expose themselves. You can also put out motion sensing lights or sprinklers in areas that they'd have to pass through. Secondly, don't feed the deer! The cats will follow them in. Lastly, killing the cat is generally a bad idea because it's been studied and proven that they prefer natural prey, but resort to domestic animals when young and inexperienced, returning to natural prey after honing their skills. When young, they are also transient and looking to establish a new territory. If you kill that cat, like many do on a depredation permit, you create a territorial void that will attract another transient. And on and on the losses go. But if you predator proof your property and they perfect their skills, they will stick to wild prey and live in that area of 10+ years, effectively protecting it from a transient troublemaker moving in " written by Dawn Kerr
I also have friends who had a covered coop & run with 6 ft fence & barb wire above that, who had a bobcat wipe out their flock. They had to hot wire the bottom & top to keep that cat out.
Hope this helps.
Are you selling any now? [/quote] Thank you
