Fairly certain a neighbour's cat just killed one cock and three hens.

[chicncait]

my neighbor's cats always gets in our yard and run. so we set up a ratcoon trap, we were going to kill the cat but i don't now if my dad killed it or not but i think you should relocate it. is it a legal to kill a cat?

 

[tinydancer87]

It is the cat owner's responsibility to make sure their cat stays on their property. I know, because my neighbors (who are quite difficult anyway) kept coming over and telling me that my cat was digging in their garden and climbing on their cars, and that they would trap it and take it to animal control (or probably kill it) if they saw it again.

So my cats stay inside, and only go out when I am right there to monitor them. So if they come over again, I can let them know that the stray cats, armadillos, deer, and rabbits (that they turned loose), must be the culprits.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

It might be good for you to be setting a live trap now and then anyways, to keep the predator population down for your chickens. There's no time like the present!!!

 

[welasharon]

Is that like a really big cat? None of my cats could kill a grown chicken. They are in fact very leary of them. The inside cats thought they wanted to play chase with the chickens but all the outside ones knew to stay away from them.
sharon

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

One time I saw a neighborhood cat go after one of my Golden Campines. It almost made contact but the hen went vertical as they are excellent fliers. She would have been a goner. Depends on the cat, I'd say.

Now whenever I see cats around I run after them and yell. And hiss. I do a very good upset cat imitation. They really seem afraid of me, too!

 

[JoePa]

If you are sure that the cat commited the crime - it's time to get rid of the cat - first - don't say anything to the neighbor that way if you need to get rid of the cat they will suspect that you had a hand in it - get yourself a cage trap - bait the trap with some sardines or similar bait - when you catch the cat dispose of it - if the neighbor ever asks you if you have seen it's cat - tell them that you have not seen it TODAY - you don't want to lie -

 

[ivan3]

JonInNorway wrote: What I hate most is I know there was some really rare and valuable DNA destroyed. Anyone can keep rare breeds alive under lights feeding them rubbish in rooms but these were as healthy and vital as anything on the planet and they're gone .... for what? One reason I keep chickens is I never wanted a pet that eats other animals ... these were Vorwerks, Norfolk Greys and Welsummers ... am I supposed to make the hens' home cat proof just because a neighbour can't control their beloved cat? My house lies in 8 acres so this cat has some range

Indoor aviary is the only way to be sure. Yes, anybody can do it because cats/microorganisms/human `collectors' of rare DNA/parasites/etc. can't get at them, as they are locked away from such threats. I'm sorry for your loss but, us chicken folks know too well that `healthy/vital' chooks are those that always taste the best to the worst.

Please consider an expansive, fenced, run when you are not there to guard the flock (if I didn't conduct armed, supervised free range, I'd have no chooks to write about).

I'd suggest preemptive defense (traps always set) - retire the cat and think about a predator proof run.

Good luck!​

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Can you set up electric fencing?

 

[wyododge]

Quote:
In the ground, or under water.

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
X2

I have NEVER seen a cat kill an adult chicken.. and I have been around cats and chickens all my life

Sure I have seen a stray or two CHASE them.. but when in a fight between a cat and chicken the chicken has always won.. and I have seen some roos and a few mad broody hens tear a cat up

more likely it was something else that got them and the cat just happened to be there being nosy