Cat is a really annoying pest. How to stop him?

[HEChicken]

I'd just keep the cat confined. I have a 25lb cat (not overweight, just HUGE) who is very predatory. So, since we got the chickens, he is not allowed outside during the day. Period. I thought he'd make a fuss since he was used to going out at will, but he adjusted really quickly and now seems to know he can't go out until they are locked in the coop at night. In fact, I quite often see him sitting in the basement window watching me give them their mash and get them settled in the coop for the night and by the time I head back inside, he is waiting at the door for his "turn" to go outside.

 

[horsejody]

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Yup, get a rooster.

 

[ChooksChick]

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I have a cat like that- 28# of really big kitty.

He originally looked at the chickens like, "I can has chikn dinner??" but the first time he got too close, they scared the carp out of him.

He prowls the yard at night ready to fight raccoons for his birds now- very protective.

 

[sred98]

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No, you put him in with the chickens when it is their feeding time and put him in the middle of the food pan. Maybe be a little late with their food. I had that problem with my siamese cat that kills rabbits, and was starting to stalk the young chickens. I did that and he avoids them ALL now!

It was a little traumatic for him, and I felt a little bad, but he got out mostly intact, and with a whole new respect for chickens!

Shelly

 

[doublebow]

You're doing the right thing keeping him in while the chickens are out but I bet after a while he will grow tired of chasing the chickens. I had a male cat who chased the chickens when he was an adolescent but he was WELL fed and gradually lost interest in the bids. And the cats I have now are pretty much afraid of the chickens.

 

[cwhit590]

juliechick, how old are your hens?
If they are younger....they might get bolder and stand up for themselves more with age?

My chickens don't seem to mind the cats. I have a few hens that seem to like to run up and 'charge' at them or chase them like they are sooo tough. lol.

But for the most part both parties ignore each other....

 

[gsim]

Buy one of those water guns that put out a real stream. Fill it with ammonia or an ammonia/water solution. If your aim is good (practice makes perfect) you will soon convince him that it is unpleasant to chase the chooks. I would go with pure ammonia. He will soon get the idea unless he is retarded. A loud shout "NO" should accompany each squirt. He will learn to cringe at that word.