Can I shoot all these cats?

[Miltonchix]

If you're going to shoot them prepare FIRST.
Dig appropriate size/depth hole so you don't have to dig while the flies are circling. Use something larger than a .22 cal. While a .22 will kill a cat, unless it is a GOOD head shot it can easily run off before expiring and I don't think anyone would want it dying on someones door step.
I started using my 30-06 and it is an instant didn't-know-what-hit-it death. But it can be messy. You have to be prepared to deal with the results of pulling the trigger, never fun, no matter how much you may hate the animal.

 

[huntercf]

You could try and use some coyote urine (yes it can be purchased). Spray it around where you see the cats. The only drawback is it might bring in coyotes. Or you could also use mountain lion urine. Just google these items and you can usually buy them over the internet. Good Luck.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I would NOT use this advice if you live in the city with neighbors though. I have neighbors on all sides, so shooting at something moving would have the possibility of missing.....besides someone complaining and calling the cops.

Nope. Best to trap them in the live trap and dispatch them quickly with a .22 to the head --- one shot and the neighbors won't know what they heard. I do it at night so they don't see me either. Never been a problem.

 

[Telamon]

ask your police station for a shooting permit... that should work

 

[smilingcat]

dispatching of unwanted cat on your property can carry consequence of animal cruelty. So do check your local ordinance. The best thing to do is catch and call the animal control. Let them handle the stray cat. You can also borrow a trap normally for free. A freebie...

Lot of cats and dogs with homes are micro-chipped for id and not necessarily wearing a collar. More affluent locals will have vets, animal control, animal shelter will have a chip scanner to read the information. So more the reason to let the animal control deal with it. It's just not worth getting into legal hassle. Sure the birds net worth might be $40-$50.00 but lawyer fee is in excess of $100-$200/hr. Not to mention, public opinion, that will be worse.

If the cat is feral, do wear a pair of heavy glove when handling a trap with a cat inside. They can reach out and gash your hand.

Sorry to hear you have a stray/feral cat problem.

 

[Tylt33]

Quote:
+1 to trapping the cat. +1 to putting someone in a legal nightmare if they shoot one of my animals. Of course, my cats are indoor only

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I'd shoot them! I have two cats right now that are chicken killers and they really need to go.

 

[Noble Rooster]

So sorry to hear you're dealing with this. We have a number of cats (not feral, just very large, well fed cats whose owners let them wander around outside all day) that have been eyeing our girls too much for my taste. I caught one staring down one hen through the grate of the run the other day (and counted my lucky stars we built a fortified run/coop!). It makes me so angry that people let their cats go all over the place, to harass wildlife and other people's animals, pee on their property, etc., not to mention the danger the cats themselves are in from coyotes, cars, etc.

Unfortunately I don't know which neighbors they belong to, or I would speak up. I would love to be able to dispatch the darn things but don't think it would be fair without giving the neighbors a chance to contain them first and since they haven't harmed/attempted to harm the chickens... yet.

Can a cat actually kill a full-grown, non-bantam chicken? Or would it more likely just inflict some ugly injuries to have to patch up? Not that that is preferable, but I was just wondering.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Yes, cats can easily kill a full grown standard chicken!

 

[schellie69]

Here there is no leash law for cats, they can and are allowed to roam free, I have a indoor/outdoor cat; however he is nurtured and has his shots also he does not kill chickens, he does keep the Ferrel cats away from our block which makes my neighbors very happy and everyone knows where he belongs we do live in town. Tops (the cat) is home every night and he usually stays in the yard except for his twice daily trips around the block while staying on the sidewalk. my neighbor saw this and had to laugh just because he is so funny walking on the sidewalks and crossing the street on the corners no idea why he does this just his way I guess. call the local humane office they should know the law and what you can do, I would use live trap and take to the animal shelter. good luck.