Cats hunting my chickens

[cleoandtheflock]

Do as you wish everyone.

In my view, once a predator steps onto my property it's on. I don't give warnings, I don't speak to the roaming animal's owners, I don't call animal control & I don't look the other way. I keep the peace by keeping the peace.
I will neutralize the chicken threat in the quickest, most effective was possible. There's no reason for a predator to be in any proximity to my girls other than to size up an opportunity.

I recognize that everyone has a different outlook & a different living situation, so whatever works best for you is how you should handle it.

What do you mean? Sorry I’m trying to understand. Do you leave it be or do you do something?

 

[BarredRockMom]

What do you mean? Sorry I’m trying to understand. Do you leave it be or do you do something?

They die. I help them.

 

[Don 27]

Do as you wish everyone.

In my view, once a predator steps onto my property it's on. I don't give warnings, I don't speak to the roaming animal's owners, I don't call animal control & I don't look the other way. I keep the peace by keeping the peace.
I will neutralize the chicken threat in the quickest, most effective way possible. There's no reason for a predator to be in any proximity to my girls other than to size up an opportunity.

I recognize that everyone has a different outlook & a different living situation, so whatever works best for you is how you should handle it.

I agree with this 100 % if its a problem get rid of it. I don't like taking stray cats to shelters pounds they are already over run with them. First give the neighbor a warning of nothing is done about it then step in and get rid of the cat. Any predator that goes after my chickens is dead. The only time I made an exception is when a feral cat went after my baby chicks that I carelessly let free range in my yard. It was my fault for leaving chicks free range with out a mother to free range with them. I like the feral cats in my area, they rarely go after my chickens and prevent mice from doing destruction on my farm equipment.. I actually prefer them to stay feral, natural selection keeps them strong and very alert. I watch them bring mice and other pray animals to their kittens.

 

[Ribh]

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

Have you spoken to your neighbour. If they are new their cats may be used to areas minus livestock & the owners may not be aware that A. their cats is harassing your chickens & B. the consequences of not confining their animal. Warn first, then act.

 

[ellend]

PLEASE don't hurt the cat for being a normal cat; the owner is the problem. I'd speak with them, and in a friendly way, emphasizing the difference between THEIR property and YOUR property. I like the idea of bringing a "peace offering" of eggs, especially if you have some colorful ones. If they really believe their cat should be outdoors, they should build a cattery enclosure if the cat won't stay in their yard. And..what normal cat would???

 

[ellend]

I agree with this 100 % if its a problem get rid of it. I don't like taking stray cats to shelters pounds they are already over run with them. First give the neighbor a warning of nothing is done about it then step in and get rid of the cat. Any predator that goes after my chickens is dead. The only time I made an exception is when a feral cat went after my baby chicks that I carelessly let free range in my yard. It was my fault for leaving chicks free range with out a mother to free range with. I like the feral cats in my area, they rarely go after my chickens and prevent mice from doing destruction on my farm equipment.. I actually prefer them to stay feral, natural selection keeps them strong and very alert I watch them bring their young mice and other pray animals.

I have the same issue with my neighbors cat! The neighbors are interesting and their cats aren’t aloud inside so they are always out and about murdering everything. One of my chicks disappeared a few months ago most likely a cat. One of the cats is horrible.
One nice sunny day I woke up and looked outside at the sunshine and my chickens then I noticed off to the side in my driveway the murderer cat a foot away from a giant squirrel then it pounced and I heard the squirrel scream like crazy!!!! Then there was blood all over my driveway after the cat dragged it away! Also that same cat killed my neighbors old 3 legged cat who never goes outside and slipped through the door. I don’t know what to do the neighbors cats are crazy!!!!!!

I am against killing healthy animals, period--but this might be an exception. That hunter I agree might be better trapped and euthanized, for the sake of all nearby animals.

 

[ellend]

Re: "They die. I help them." Sometimes animals slip out from the most cautious of homes. It's cruel to kill a non-aggressive animal. And incredibly heartbreaking for the family searching for their beloved pet. I can't imagine you would welcome someone doing that to you and yours, when there was no intentional neglect.

 

[bobbi-j]

a cat that keeps hunting my bantam chickens,

this has happened 2 days in a row

Re: "They die. I help them." Sometimes animals slip out from the most cautious of homes. It's cruel to kill a non-aggressive animal. And incredibly heartbreaking for the family searching for their beloved pet. I can't imagine you would welcome someone doing that to you and yours, when there was no intentional neglect.

Sometimes animals do slip out of cautious homes, and sometimes they are allowed out to roam wherever they wish to go. Sounds like the OP's situation is the second. What I would do in this case is first talk to the neighbors. They may not know that their cat is wandering, and will take responsibility to keep it home. If the cat continues to come over and stalk my chickens, it is no longer a "beloved pet" in my opinion. It is a predator and will be dealth with accordingly. If my cat (or dog) were to be a constant nuisance to my neighbors and they killed it, it would totally be on me. I wouln't blame them as I let my pet wander where it shouldn't have. But part of being a good neighbor is keeping your animals contained to their own property.

 

[Don 27]

I am against killing healthy animals, period--but this might be an exception. That hunter I agree might be better trapped and euthanized, for the sake of all nearby animals.

most nearby animals are hunters . Unless you are just talking about the animals that eat plants . Cats are born to be hunters that's what they do. If they arnt bothering the animals that you enjoy, livestock ect, I wouldn't kill them. I would talk the the owner too, but I don't think the chances are high for you to convince them to build a cattery . I guess if they want to keep their cat bad enough maybe. ...

 

[Don 27]

Sometimes animals do slip out of cautious homes, and sometimes they are allowed out to roam wherever they wish to go. Sounds like the OP's situation is the second. What I would do in this case is first talk to the neighbors. They may not know that their cat is wandering, and will take responsibility to keep it home. If the cat continues to come over and stalk my chickens, it is no longer a "beloved pet" in my opinion. It is a predator and will be dealth with accordingly. If my cat (or dog) were to be a constant nuisance to my neighbors and they killed it, it would totally be on me. I wouln't blame them as I let my pet wander where it shouldn't have. But part of being a good neighbor is keeping your animals contained to their own property.

yep It's not beloved if you arnt keeping it on your property.