Colorado

[Mtn Margie]

Ditto!!!!!

 

[samsr]

I need honest answers from fellow chicken protectors. We've lost five chickens now from a previously unknown predator. Today, I have 90% confirmation that it is a cat, that lives a couple houses away (which out here is about three acres away). The cat was seen eating something (our closest neighbor came to the door to point it out), and when I went to check my chickens, another Cochin was gone. As an animal lover, and someone that always always tries to do the morally right thing, I'm at a loss as to the right answer here. I'm down a lot of money from the chickens we've lost, and also we are just generally upset at the loss of life. This cat is obviously starving, I mean, he has to be pretty hungry to kill and eat a chicken.
I went and picked up cat food, and we'll be leaving the trap set and baited day and night...but the question is, what to do when/if we catch a cat in there, knowing it has and will continue to do this?

I would not much sympathy for the cat either if it killed one of my chickens. I do have a couple barn cats that run around my neighborhood. None have taken one of my chickens. Maybe it is because of my geese. The geese are quite protective of all the animals that I have, including the big yellow lab dog that I have. We let our house cats out on occasion and the geese have hissed and nipped at them until they walk or run away. It would have to be a pretty big cat to take down one of the 15 pound geese at this point.
I would catch it and probably take it the humane society if I were in a good mood.

 

[Latestarter]

Though many might think me cruel... I consider it humane

I have no issue with "HOUSE" pets including cats. I have a MAJOR issue with feral animals and cats in particular. They are HUGELY destructive to any and all native animals as well as any other animal they can catch. I would put that cat out of its and my misery.

Bringing it to a shelter (especially if it's wild/feral) would be a waste of time, energy and money. The shelter will just end up putting it down anyway.

SSS... shoot, shovel, shut-up. My livestock and animals come first. I would also of course be trying my dangdest to determine how the cat was gaining access to eliminate that ASAP.

 

[Ashdoes]

It's a cat, he's climbing in. Simple as that. Even when the entire top was covered with hardware cloth, a neighborhood cat had a special spot she used to go in and out of the run, mostly while running from our dogs. But she never messed with the chickens, not even a sideways glance, which is why I'm so surprised about what's happening right now.
The difficult part with this cat, he's a house cat, they just happen to let him stay outside. But, I have read a lot, and most have posted SSS. I'm not sure if I could do that, my husband on the other hand is so angry, I'd have a hard time talking him out of it.
Kinda funny today..trap set all day, kept an eye on it, empty all day..around 3pm I look out, and two Cochins were stuck in it..little goofs had eaten all the cat food too.

 

[Latestarter]

Another option that has been used though the legality is in question is a can of sardines laced with a healthy tablespoon of MSG. No trap necessary and no more cat 24-48 hours after it consumes the meal. I personally don't like this method as I believe it will cause severe pain before demise. Much as the kidney failure that happens when a dog drinks antifreeze. A rather "slow" and painful death. I have no qualms about eliminating the predator but prefer quick and painless. Just my opinion(s).

 

[Ashdoes]

Another option that has been used though the legality is in question is a can of sardines laced with a healthy tablespoon of MSG. No trap necessary and no more cat 24-48 hours after it consumes the meal. I personally don't like this method as I believe it will cause severe pain before demise.  Much as the kidney failure that happens when a dog drinks antifreeze.  A rather "slow" and painful death. I have no qualms about eliminating the predator but prefer quick and painless. Just my opinion(s).

Oh yeah, I couldn't do that either. I don't even use harsh poisons for mice, because they become a secondary source for the poison. I wouldn't want a hawk, or one of my chickens, to die from eating a mouse.

 

[Double Kindness]

Freezer camp went ok. I got 6 roosters and 1 muscovy duck done, leaving me 7 roosters and 3 ducks to do tomorrow. We just got stuff for thanksgiving.

I'm omw to the feed store, needing straw, feed, and a pitchfork to move the heavy wet poopy bedding before my dentist appt to pull more broken molars and get fitted for partials in a couple hours. I need to move out the cemanis, haffies and white bresse today. I'm sending off everyone I don't want to over winter to freezer camp tomorrow. Thank goodness. I really think a plucker would make a world of difference.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

I would like to have a test-run on hatching eggs if anyone is willing to. I have a new rooster who has taken a liking to most of my hens and am wondering if anyone would like some hatching eggs to try out. The eggs will not be a purebreed as the rooster is a Golden Laced Wyandotte and my hens are Easter Eggers, a White Star, and a Black Sex Link. Since it would be a trial to see if the eggs are fertile, the eggs will cost no more than $1.00 per egg. Please PM me for more info or if you are interested.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I'm with maggie. If you catch it, take it to the humane society. If an owner cares about it (I doubt it) they will get it but I'm guessing since it's starving it won't be missed and maybe it will find a new family to love it. I have a hard time not having sympathy for an animal but once it kills one of mine it's a lot easier to lose that sympathy. I would be ****** if it was killing my chickens especially if I had gone through the work you have to secure cochins.

Completely agree. I had a neighbor that let their cat roam "He has a bell on to warn the birds"

Does not do much for nesting finch or others.
I called them repeatedly to come get the cat and finally took it to the pound. I had to laugh out loud when they asked me if the owner did not come for it would I be interested in adopting it.
It would sit on top of my run and harass my hens as well as killing the fledgling wild birds passing through but not flying well enough to get away.
I have not seen the cat since and that has been months and months ago.

 

[trsturself]

Both of my cats are outdoor cats (one also come indoors). And they are both WELL fed. The indoor/outdoor one does a good job of catching voles and has caught one wild bird but has never looked twice at a chicken past the chick stage. He used to sleep in the nest box when he had access to it! Our other cat is a barn cat and is scared of the chickens. Both of the cats stick to their territory. The indoor one gets the front pasture and the barn cat gets the fenced area around the barn.
If I heard from a neighbor they were terrorizing their animals, I would be taking action immediately. A responsible pet owner makes sure their animals are fed and well behaved. Anything less and I don't feel sorry for them when they lose a pet to animal control.


On another note, I'm almost done making a second automatic door for our other coop. Fingers crossed it works the first try! One more thing to check off my getting-ready-for-vacation list.