Cat attack, please help

[FattyChickens]

This morning I came out to a decapitated pullet. This is the first time this has happened to me here, but we think it was our neighbor's cat who keeps escaping. I also think it's the neighbors cat because one of the others has a small cat-like scratch on her nose, that was not there last night. Our fence is about 8 feet tall and pretty sturdy, and luckily we don't have a lot of predators because I live in the hottest side of california.

Warning- graphic description of chicken death

The poor thing was only in pieces. Hip bones, reproductive organs, intestines and legs inside the cage. That's all. Then a wing nearby with lots of white feathers around the cage. There was a small struggle it seems, where the dirt in front of the cage had a small dip. No tracks

I keep them all in a large dog crate while I integrate them into the larger flock in the coop right next to them. I didn't add extra wiring or mesh to the cage because I hadn't had issues before, but I really should have been worried. I just got done adding a ton of wiring, testing it to make sure that they can't just be pulled off.

But I'm still worried. What are additional ways I can ensure their safety? Are there plants that cats will avoid? I was thinking of getting a camera installed there for my sanity.
Thank you to anyone that takes the time to read and reply I'm so heartbroken

 

[Debbie292d]

I do not understand how a cat was able to do all that to a bird inside of a dog crate. If it's the kind of crate I'm thinking of, no normal-sized cat can get in or out of those, although they could stick their paws through it.

A camera would only help if it's got an app on your phone such as Blink that would send you an alert when it's activated. Unless all you're trying to do is catch the cat in the act so you have some evidence to give to animal control/police?

I would get a live animal trap and set it next to the dog crate. Put tuna fish in it. Take the cat in the trap back to the neighbor and let them know what it's doing. That, or take it to animal control and tell them you found a cat climbing an 8-foot fence to get your chickens. The owners will have to pay a fee to get it back.

 

[FattyChickens]

I do not understand how a cat was able to do all that to a bird inside of a dog crate. If it's the kind of crate I'm thinking of, no normal-sized cat can get in or out of those, although they could stick their paws through it.

A camera would only help if it's got an app on your phone such as Blink that would send you an alert when it's activated. Unless all you're trying to do is catch the cat in the act so you have some evidence to give to animal control/police?

I would get a live animal trap and set it next to the dog crate. Put tuna fish in it. Take the cat in the trap back to the neighbor and let them know what it's doing. That, or take it to animal control and tell them you found a cat climbing an 8-foot fence to get your chickens. The owners will have to pay a fee to get it back.

Thank you for your swift reply I'll mention that the pullets I have are just small enough that they can stick their little heads through the bars and they were sleeping like that for a couple nights. It worried me but I should have done something about it sooner. My guess is that the cat was able to get a good grip on the upper half of her

 

[Vixen with Chickens]

To me that sounds like a raccoon. Cats don't normally mess with chickens unless they are small chicks. A camera would help for sure.

 

[FattyChickens]

And I'll definitely be getting a trap. I know the cat is hungry but these are my babies we're talking about. I wish my neighbor was responsible

 

[FattyChickens]

To me that sounds like a raccoon. Cats don't normally mess with chickens unless they are small chicks. A camera would help for sure.

I've seen a lot about raccoon attacks and also thought the same thing, but raccoons are not native in this area and I've noticed the cat hanging around our apartment specifically for weeks. The neighbor was putting cat food out for her but I haven't seen any food in that bowl for over a week

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you for your swift reply I'll mention that the pullets I have are just small enough that they can stick their little heads through the bars and they were sleeping like that for a couple nights. It worried me but I should have done something about it sooner. My guess is that the cat was able to get a good grip on the upper half of her

You can't blame yourself as if mine were inside of an 8' fence, then only things I can think of that could scale that are a cat and a coyote, and our cats wouldn't have done that. I'd think a crate inside of an 8' fence would be relatively safe too.

 

[FattyChickens]

You can't blame yourself as if mine were inside of an 8' fence, then only things I can think of that could scale that are a cat and a coyote, and our cats wouldn't have done that. I'd think a crate inside of an 8' fence would be relatively safe too.

Thank you for your kind words, it means so much to me.
My fiance seems to think it couldn't have been a coyote but I think it might be a possibility. There were no tracks though and the struggle spot was so small, but I guess anything is possible.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you for your kind words, it means so much to me.
My fiance seems to think it couldn't have been a coyote but I think it might be a possibility. There were no tracks though and the struggle spot was so small, but I guess anything is possible.

I'm surprised that a cat would do more than maybe "play" with the chicks but since you say the struggle spot was small, that does sound more like a cat than any other type of animal. Perhaps could you have rats at all in the neighborhood? I bet they could climb that fence. Maybe a camera is a really good idea!

 

[FattyChickens]

Rats are a possibility for sure. Mainly didn't think it could be a rat because so much of the chick was taken, like it had to be a starving and/or strong animal. But then again she was the smallest ):

I just set up a flour trap. Laid down a dark tarp around the cage and put a nice wide border of white flour, so if anything comes to visit tonight then we might be able to figure out what it was. I'll keep you guys updated