Chicken Killing cat.....Need advice. (WARNING GRAPHIC PICS)

[Lifesong Farm]

Quote:
If a cat can take on a coon and win one could kill a rooster. I had a cat that beat the snot out of a racood and I used to have a cat roaming our house who was 20 ish pounds of muscle.

Edited to add it prob is a coon or opossum.

 

[noitulover]

So sorry about your birds! However, the problem is definitely security, and not WHICH predator did it. Even if you get the cat/possum/raccoon/etc. that did it, there will ALWAYS be more.

Get that coop secured with 1/4" hardware cloth, buried underground and surrounding the entire coop. Every 1" gaps should be covered in it.

Chicken wire isn't good for ANYTHING except keeping chickens in or out of things like gardens... Any predator can get through it. It is really flimsy stuff.

 

[Teresaann24]

thanks all for the replies I never intended to kill him I could never bring myself to do so. I do feel sorry for him I think is why I feed him. I do invest in hardware cloth and have not had anything killed since the last ones were killed a few months ago.

My only fear was when spring came and if it was the cat doing the deeds when I began to free range again he would still be here to kill my flock.

It is true whatever was killing them killed at night and wouldn't a cat kill at any time of the day? When I 1st began with chickens I had a neighbors dog break into a very NOT well built run so I know how a dog kills. I have seen friends flocks killed by bobcats and they always pluck them (Cats like to clean their kill) So I guess when he was around and caught in the cages I just JUMPED to it being the cat.

I think I may try the befriending him with kindness and caution and see if I can tame him and rehome him if he is not feral.

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

Wanted to put my 2 cents in, as the owner of 3 bengal cats, your cat very much resembles one....my male cat will follow me around the house "growling" when he is anxious and something has spooked him. They are known for making these sort of noises when they are unsure about something and some just Talk a lot. I actually don't think your visiter is being mean or viscious, I think he/she is either a bengal or certainly a bengal mix. They are normally good size cats, they are a very friendly but have a bit of a wild side to them, mine are into Everything! Anyway, I would hate to see that animal killed and Im glad you dont want to go that route. I doubt very much he is killing your chickens, it sounds like a raccoon...Anyway good luck and I would do as you said and feed him well and the fact that he follows you like that tells me you can easilly tame him. If he were wild he wouldnt go anywhere near you, he is trying to befriend you in his own way. My female bengal looks Exactly like your cat, it could be her, so I think that's what you have.

 

[Teresaann24]

Quote:
I also too thought he looked like a Bengal or a Bengal mix. As a young girl cats were my love I had many cats and lots of kittens..LOL I could never bring myself to kill him. He is just a murder suspect.

Sadly I thought I had the killer pegged but now with everyones advice I too am wonder if he was just scavenging what was already killed because he's hungry.

 

[Talihofarms]

Feral cats are survivors.

They have to deal with coyotes and dogs.
They are a real problem.
The only way that we deal with them ,if the dogs don't get them.
Is to help them go into the light.
Cats are treated the same as coyotes where we are.
The shelters don't have room.
Can't give them away.






just my.02

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

Oh believe me I feel horrible for you losing your chickens, but I'd be shocked if it were the cat. Cats are not like wild animals that only come at night and kill, they will go after prey even during the day and with you around, I would think you would see him tormenting your chickens. And like I said he would Never follow you around like that if he were totally wild, feral cats want as far away from people as they can get. I guess the only way you will know is for him to be taken away from the situation, but not sure who will take him in, the shelters are overflowing with cats and wont spend their time on even a semi feral kitty. I feel for ya, last spring I had a hawk problem and this year Im afraid he will be back. It's heartbreaking to find the bodies of your pets, Ugh

 

[BooBear]

Glad you have upgraded your coop with hardy cloth.
As far as the who really done it, the best way is to invest in a nite wildlife type camera. It may surprise you on yhe different types of critters out at night.

Sounds more like kittie got caught scavenging, I doubt he could eat that much in one sitting as housecats have small stomaches that would not hold that much meat.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

[Lifesong Farm]

If you ever come up my way I might take him. He is a nice looking cat. I live by Fort Wayne.

 

[LeBlackbird]

I had a problem with a stray black cat a while ago.

My dad saw him in our yard one day, and got out my good ol' .22. Spilled it's guts in 1 shot. Cat=eliminated