Chicken newbie here

[drumstick diva]

the hardware cloth will keep out more than cats with bad manners. It's great against raccoons who like to reach thru fence wire and bite off any chicken part they can snag. They cause horrific injuries /death. When chickens panic they pile up against the fence - making easy pickings for darn cats, raccoons, etc.

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us! Good luck with the cat situation. The hardware cloth will definitely help a lot to deter it and other beasties.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Our family just started our back yard flock a week ago. We have 6 girls and tonight I heard them squealing so I bolted out the door and saw a neighborhood cat who was so determined to have one that she gashed the tail feather area and its bleeding. I don't know what to do or watch for or how to prevent this. The girls are young - store clerk said about 5-6 weeks. They must have been too close to the chicken wire and the cat reached in and scratched her. Any help??

Get a hold of some Vetericyn and Blue-kote to keep in your emergency kit. Read up on them. http://www.jefferspet.com/jeffers-livestock/camid/LIV/ca/135/

 

[Toast n Jelly]

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! I agree with the above advice, good luck to you.