Cat!

[muddipuppy]

there is a giant cat at the top of a tree in my yard. my chickens are being very quiet in their coop. i normally let them free range all day, but now i'm worried seeing this cat. how worried should i be and how do others manage wandering cats?

 

[Doormantnt]

If you flock is large enough, both in quantity and ages they are probably ok, they can judge enough to be "quiet in the coop". But in my opinion, the pet and predator line is crossed at my property line. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And a .22 slug is whole lot less then an ounce. SSS.

TNT

 

[StupidBird]

Is this just a big housecat, or do you have a bobcat or something? What is big? I sure wouldn't try to shoot a cougar with a .22, but maybe in the air to scare it off?

 

[Lu King]

My chickens and turkeys chase cats out of the yard. One cat is a huge, gentle, male, and I heard him crying last week from being so much by my attack gang.

 

[muddipuppy]

it's a huge housecat. not a bobcat. but it must weigh around 30 pounds.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Good luck with keeping your flock safe from the cat. We've done ok so far at our house. The chickens are big girls. The cat does get doves now and then though.

 

[wildorchid053]

the cat is probably up in the tree because the chickens chased it up there and is afraid to come down lol

 

[TreeHugger]

Most cats are not a threat to a full grown chicken. If he is that big I'd guess someone is feeding him

However, I would watch out if you have chicks.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Maybe he's up there watching wild birds with a nest or just likes watching your chicks, or chased up a squirel or little chippy.

I agree, if he's HUGE someone must be feeding him well and he wouldn't be looking for a chicken dinner.

 

[cgmccary]

Most cats are not a threat to adult poultry. My cat won't go near my chickens because they attack her. Every once and awhile, a cat can be problem. I'd think a 30 lb cat is an overweight one & not a threat!