Cat a threat?

[dogdollar]

I have a small, gimpy-legged cat that has suddenly taken an interest in my flock, "stalking" them in the yard as if he were a lion on the high plains of Tanzania and they were a flock of gazelles. He is smallish and has a manx-like stub of a tail (I think he is what I call a "fan-belt manx").
Anyway,do you think he is serious, or just fooling around? He's really the most gentle cat I've ever seen, and just goofy as all get out. My concern is that if he did manage to get a claw into one, the chances of infection are pretty high.
What to do.........

DD

 

[ranchhand]

Hard to say, but you are correct about the risk of infection! I have had cats stalk chickens, leap out and scare the behoozit out of the chickens just for the sheer joy of seeing the chickens flap and squawk. Then you see a cat ROFLAO,

But the cats shared their food with the birds later.

I'd say to watch him for now, and carry a water pistol.

"as if he were a lion on the high plains of Tanzania and they were a flock of gazelles. He is smallish and has a manx-like stub of a tail (I think he is what I call a "fan-belt manx"). "

 

[kcsunshine]

My cat liked to stalk the chickens too. Until the day I saw him run around the corner of my husband's shop (laying on his side like a motorcycle, digging in with 3 legs) with 4 big RIR's after him. He's grown a lot since then, but leaves the chickens alone.

 

[chuckzoo]

I would nip that behaviour in the bud. A long range water squirt gun or a squirt bottle is what I use. Its quicker than turning on the hose and just as effective.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
That assumes that one is packing the squirt "rifle."

I usually have a hose much more readily at hand. I do agree that nipping the behavior in hte bud is best.

 

[Chickiemama1010]

my outdoor cats have stalked my chickens too, just for sport. I believe they might get a chick if the mood struck them, but generally all it takes is for the tables to be turned ONCE and the cat gets the msg. A rooster sprinting across the yard or a broody squakin and chasing a cat generally gets the point across. Then you get to see a chicken ROFLAO. My little wild girl, a fairly small banty, has treed a cat more than once, and kept him there for hours. Some of my cats have killed groundhogs, and could easily take on this little 1 1/2lb banty. But she'll peck your eyes out if youre not careful and the cats know it.

 

[dogdollar]

Quote:
Okay, I'm off to Wally World for a squirt gun. I DO usually keep a deterrent at hand when I am out with my birds, but this might be a bit....extreme for a gimpy legged kitty.

DD

 

[chuckzoo]

Yea, I think an AK47 might be a bit extreme!

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Quote:
Lol

 

[crossedwires]

i have never had a problem with cats taking a chicken but at the risk of upsetting some people......................the policy on our farm is, if it moves and it aint a chicken then its shot! tho i would probaly use a shotgun instead of a AK! tho i have to admit that AK is a nice bit of kit, shame we cant own them here in the uk