CAT

[Chick2chicken]

I was just coming back from a walk and saying hello to my chickens when one of them started pacing around making lots of noise, we looked around hoping to find the answer of what was making her worried. When we couldn't find anything we went inside just as I was taking of my boots I looked outside and saw that a cat was looking in on the coop tail flickering back and forth. The chicken who was outside the others safely tucked in the space where they roost and lay their eggs, went crazy flying up and smashing against the fence. I chased the cat away and then stayed with the chickens trying to calm them down. But the one chicken was still clucking a lot and the other three joined in the cat was still there I soon figured out, so I chased it down the street.
I think that the cat followed us from a few blocks away.
I am very worried, I keep looking out the window to see if the chickens are okay.
Have I chased the cat away for good? I looked the cat right in the eye and told it never to come back. Is there anything I can do?
Anything helps
thanks in advance
-Chick2chicken

 

[eggbert420]

Shoot the cat.

 

[Chick2chicken]

I don't think my neighbours would like that!

 

[bobbi-j]

I was just coming back from a walk and saying hello to my chickens when one of them started pacing around making lots of noise, we looked around hoping to find the answer of what was making her worried. When we couldn't find anything we went inside just as I was taking of my boots I looked outside and saw that a cat was looking in on the coop tail flickering back and forth. The chicken who was outside the others safely tucked in the space where they roost and lay their eggs, went crazy flying up and smashing against the fence. I chased the cat away and then stayed with the chickens trying to calm them down. But the one chicken was still clucking a lot and the other three joined in the cat was still there I soon figured out, so I chased it down the street.
I think that the cat followed us from a few blocks away.
I am very worried, I keep looking out the window to see if the chickens are okay.
Have I chased the cat away for good? I looked the cat right in the eye and told it never to come back. Is there anything I can do?
Anything helps
thanks in advance
-Chick2chicken

Are your chickens full grown? It can happen, but most often a cat won't attack a full grown chicken. It was likely just curious. If your chickens are in a secure run and coop, you really don't have anything to worry about. Mine are quite used to the barn cat that hangs around my coops, but they do get in a dither when my 20-lb. housecat comes down to visit. If you're concerned, maybe carry a squirt gun or spray bottle with you so if the cat comes around again you can squirt it to discourage it. Or a hose if that's possible. Much more effective.

Shoot the cat.

It's not always that easy. Some people live in town and just shooting an animal isn't an option. Some people live where guns are prohibited (hard to believe, I know). Some people wish to try to maintain a decent relationship with their neighbors.

 

[eggbert420]

We have Feral cats around here. They are extremely wild. Sometimes I forget that everyone doesn't live in the country. Oops

 

[bobbi-j]

We have Feral cats around here. They are extremely wild. Sometimes I forget that everyone doesn't live in the country. Oops

I know - we live in the country, too... (I can't imagine why anyone would want to live in any of those *other* places)

 

[Chick2chicken]

Thanks I think that I will have a spray bottle on hand if the comes back. My chickens are around four months so I think they should be okay.

 

[AWC]

I am new at having chickens in the city. I just lose 3 of my 5 half grown bataan to a cat. I thought my hen house was secure but it wasn't. Our town does not enforce it cat ordinance and it very frustrating.

 

[AWC]

I know - we live in the country, too... (I can't imagine why anyone would want to live in any of those *other* places)

 

[AWC]

Some of have no choice. We are seniors don't even own a home live in a small town and do not have the capital to move.