Cats hunting my chickens

[bridget123]

Im so frustrated my new neighbours have a cat that keeps hunting my bantam chickens,

Is there anything i can use to scare the cat off..
Or am i better off making them a run?

I seen the cat in action thismorning ready to pounce, my 2 big chickens jumped up on the fence and 1 bantam jumped the fence and was hiding in a bush out the front.. i have a silkie cross bantam that was still on the ground screaming because she couldnt get to safety.. this has happened 2 days in a row

 

[gimmie birdies]

Poor silkies, I bet cats could get them. I have trained cats not to get chickens, cats don't like them flapping. A silky doesn't have really good wings though.

 

[SueT]

You are within your rights to trap it and take it to the pound. Maybe even to shoot it. It isn't legal anywhere I know of to allow your dogs (or cats) to wander and molest/kill livestock.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I've had cats in my yard, living in a residential area, can't shoot them so ...

I get fly tape that I unwind, carefully so as not to get stuck to it. At the loose end I secure a chicken bone (drumettes work perfect). The end with the loop, I secure to a wire tie (off the bread) then make a hook with the tie to suspend from the rafter in my patio. Cat takes it & the fly tape secures to the cat's fur Never see the cat again
May not work for your situation, you could also use those live traps & if you catch the cat, take it to the Humane Society ... Just tell them you have no clue whose cat but it's been going after your birds.

 

[bridget123]

Thanks for the responses i will try to trap it a new law has passed here where you can trap cats and dispose of them humanely or send them off to a cat centre.. in the meantime i will most likely get some netting and poles and turn most of my backyard into a run.. i dont want to confine my chickens to 1 small area when they are used to a whole big backyard

Sigh* i wish people would keep there cats inside

 

[PirateGirl]

Making some sort of run is certainly a more permanent solution and will help protect your birds from a lot more than just this one cat. If you are able to make some sort of run I think this is the best solution. A trap may certainly help with this particular cat and since you mention you are allowed to trap them, it's possible even animal control will loan you a trap.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Im so frustrated my new neighbours have a cat that keeps hunting my bantam chickens,

Is there anything i can use to scare the cat off..
Or am i better off making them a run?

I seen the cat in action thismorning ready to pounce, my 2 big chickens jumped up on the fence and 1 bantam jumped the fence and was hiding in a bush out the front.. i have a silkie cross bantam that was still on the ground screaming because she couldnt get to safety.. this has happened 2 days in a row

Trap it In a hava hart trap and bring it to the animal shelter. Don’t tell anyone your plans.

 

[2hotchicks]

Im so frustrated my new neighbours have a cat that keeps hunting my bantam chickens,

Is there anything i can use to scare the cat off..
Or am i better off making them a run?

I seen the cat in action thismorning ready to pounce, my 2 big chickens jumped up on the fence and 1 bantam jumped the fence and was hiding in a bush out the front.. i have a silkie cross bantam that was still on the ground screaming because she couldnt get to safety.. this has happened 2 days in a row

I would suggest you give your new neighbor some eggs & explain the problem you are having with their cat. Please speak to them & give them a chance to rectify the problem before disposing of their cat.

 

[21hens-incharge]

You are within your rights to trap it and take it to the pound. Maybe even to shoot it. It isn't legal anywhere I know of to allow your dogs (or cats) to wander and molest/kill livestock.

Making some sort of run is certainly a more permanent solution and will help protect your birds from a lot more than just this one cat. If you are able to make some sort of run I think this is the best solution. A trap may certainly help with this particular cat and since you mention you are allowed to trap them, it's possible even animal control will loan you a trap.

I too trap and take them to the pound.

We had a cat making repeated trips to harass the birds. It had tags so we called the owners several times to come get their cat.
Eventually I got tired of this daily routine.....It went on and on for months. I trapped it and gave it a ride to the pound. A week later it got a second ride, then a third ride. I believe after 3 trips they no longer release back to the owner.

I have no tolerance for wondering pets pooping in my veggie garden or bothering my pets.

I definitely agree with having a secure run for chickens. Even if you want them to be free in your yard you have a place to keep them safe when being free is not safe.
Hawks are a real problem where we live.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I would suggest you give your new neighbor some eggs & explain the problem you are having with their cat. Please speak to them & give them a chance to rectify the problem before disposing of their cat.

I agree with this response as an initial step. I lost my favorite BO hen in September 2018 to a feral town cat who was starving. He got into the pen at sunset on the one afternoon that I wasn't home to shut the access door. I would have normally disposed of the cat but chose another path of forgiveness and rehabilitation.

Today, a well fed Tom hangs out in the back yard and has become quite friendly. And he now has Esmeralda to hang out with. As a bonus, Esmeralda is hell on mice, rats and moles.