Cats hunting my chickens

[bobbi-j]

I think it’s best to first try the diplomatic approach, and if that doesn’t work, resort to more violent ways to solve the problem. If your neighbors are reasonable, they’ll probably see what you’re saying. If your pets get out or are let out and are killed, that is on you... but I still wouldn’t like it if someone killed my cat without telling me he was a problem in the first place.

I’ve said before, I would talk to the neighbors first. They may not know their pets are wandering. I’m all for giving a chance. Maybe two. Depending on how much damage is being done. Happily, my nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away. They have a dog that stays home and no other animals. We live on a farm and our buildings are surrounded by crop land, so my chickens stay home, as does my dog. But we have had neighboring dogs find their way here, and they were returned home because they didn’t kill anything and it wasn’t a constant problem. We did have one neighbor who put his own dog down because it wouldn’t stay home. He was doing what he thought was the most responsible thing and being a good neighbor by fixing his problem.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Everyone can and absolutely should do as they see fit. If your way is different & it works for you, good on ya. My way works for me & my girls.

 

[CatWhisperer]

I’ve looked through this post and find it deplorable that people recommend killing someone’s pet without even talking to its owner first. I haven’t seen where the OP has actually witnessed the cat killing a chicken.

 

[BDutch]

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.

Depends on where you live. Here in the Netherlands it is quit normal to let cats go around the neighborhood. I often have neighbor cats in my garden. And it is not allowed to kill a neighbor cat that is trespassing.

My small bantams (Dutch) don’t like them, but nothing awful happened as long as I have chickens (5,5 years).
When they see a cat they slightly panic for a moment and next they go scratching as before as long as the distance is enough to feel okay. Which is about 10 meters. If a cat comes close they slowly walk away or towards the coop. Depending on the position of the cat.

 

[BDutch]

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.

View attachment 1991408

I like the idea. But wouldn’t trap a neighbor cat. Its not worth risking the good relation with the neighbors. They feed my chickens when I am on a holiday.

 

[cmom]

It was a foggy night. I hope this works of a cat at a chick/grow-out coop that touched the electric wire that goes around the coop and pens. I have been having a hard time getting it to upload. It was a foggy night so it's hard to see and the camera is not a very good camera.

 

[BarredRockMom]

I’ve looked through this post and find it deplorable that people recommend killing someone’s pet without even talking to its owner first. I haven’t seen where the OP has actually witnessed the cat killing a chicken.

I support your point of view for your situation, just not for mine. If an owner loves their pet(s) then taking care of it/them is of the utmost importance...as it should be.

If you want your pet to roam (collective not specifically directed toward you), 50% of the equation equals the chance that it won't return. I am the least of an animals worries until they start roaming my property. Smart animals keep away & there are plenty who roam, take one look & run off. To that I think "tell your friends to keep moving, too."

My property is secured for a reason & other people's "pets" are not my issue until they become my issue.

Not everyone is going to like or agree with that. I support your viewpoint...but mine isn't going to change.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Obviously a secure area for your chickens to roam in is the best solution for everyone. To bad it doesn’t happen that way.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

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.

Ok...you may be within your rights...and we had a cat twice..the first time I ‘wanted’ DH to shoot it because it was going after my ducks... but he pointed out that it might be someone’s beloved pet. Hmmm. VERY true!! The second time..different large cat...I chased that thing like crazy...out of my land. I would trap it...and take it to the neighbor. but, remember that you have to live next to your neighbors for a very looooong time...violence never pays...and cats are pets

 

[Duckfarmer1]

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.

Can I just ask a question without getting yelled at...oh, first..let me just say...most of my chickens are free range. So, are these free range chickens were discussing or all in a coop?