Devastated dosn't even cover it

[enola]

How is your coop set up? Do you close and lock the door at night? Do you have a chicken run? Is the run covered? How much do these chickens weigh?

 

[WillowWispFarm]

How is your coop set up? Do you close and lock the door at night? Do you have a chicken run? Is the run covered? How much do these chickens weigh?

There run got destroyed this winter, collapsed from the weight of the snow so they get locked up at night and free range in the day time. The attacked didn't start happening till just about 2 weeks ago, so they were free ranging just fine for a few months. We havnt been able to build a new coop and run yet because were trying to finish building our house before the building permit runs out. As for weight...not sure actually.

 

[WillowWispFarm]

It's going to keep happening until you can safely confine your chickens and get rid of the interloper cat. I'm sorry for your losses, but you really do need to proactively do something to protect them and to get rid of the cat who has discovered a free chicken dinner location.

We have been locking them up and staying up till midnight every night then taking an hour nap and hunting from day break till about 10. I even have a trap set up, so we are trying. The cat waited till I let them out and when i went inside to get ready for work he killed her.

 

[enola]

What breed are they? And how old?

And what ever is getting them, grabs them and carries them off only leaving little piles of feathers?

 

[WillowWispFarm]

What breed are they? And how old?

And what ever is getting them, grabs them and carries them off only leaving little piles of feathers?

It took one of my golden comets, 1 bantam buff chochin and now 4 tractor supply tetra tints. There a little over a year old.

It seems like its attacked them and as they try to get a way they fight and feathers get lost in the struggle/it trying to re-grab them.

 

[MysteriaSdrassa]

Mr. Shotgun is your friend. My barn cats occasionally grab a tiny chick or a new keet, but never a larger bird. I need the barn cats to keep the rodents down. I have had problems with fox and coon, but as I said Mr. Shotgun takes care of that.

Indeed,,, as far as our farm cats go,, we raise kiitens right in with newly hatched chicks together,, they grow up together and the cats learn to not recognise them as food,, it's an oldtimers trick I picked up from my grandmother,,, as far as ferals go tho,, you deffinitly need to take it out sooner than later,,, it has learned that it has a free food source and it will not stop until all your chickens are gone or well protected,,, which is one and the same in my opinion

 

[WillowWispFarm]

Indeed,,, as far as our farm cats go,, we raise kiitens right in with newly hatched chicks together,, they grow up together and the cats learn to not recognise them as food,, it's an oldtimers trick I picked up from my grandmother,,, as far as ferals go tho,, you deffinitly need to take it out sooner than later,,, it has learned that it has a free food source and it will not stop until all your chickens are gone or well protected,,, which is one and the same in my opinion

I figured locking them in the coop till later morning would be safer, the cat seems to attack before its fully light out and it never came around when we were awake and making noises in the house. Its also targeting the tetra tints because they are a little more adventurous and dont always stay with the flock.

 

[enola]

I think you are dealing with a Moma fox or a coyote . It would be very hard for a cat to drag off an adult chicken.

Every time I have had an adult chicken taken by a feral cat, the cat pulled the chicken off the roost, killed it and started eating the chicken immediately.

You do need to set a trap for the feral cat so he cannot attack your poor kitty any more.

 

[Weehopper]

Time for your dog to start earning his keep. Keep him outside if you can. Put your birds under wire until you have this problem solved. Be sure it is good, strong wire, too.

 

[enola]

If you have a coyote visiting, do not use a small dog, or he will be missing next.