Feral cat colony

[lilmizscareall]

Well... My entire flock has been free ranging for the last couple weeks. I've been very vigilante watching them. In the beginning I just had to chase the cats off. After a day or two I started using an air horn on them. I've only had to use it 3 times. The latest was yesterday. The whole group was in their pen eating. I was watching one of the cats do the run, stop, run sulk sulk sulk. I thought this was it, they don't even see her! Little Roo looked up, squaked at her and she just sat down. It was if she was saying... "Oh me? I'm just sitting here." She walked away, but continued to stare. At that point I hit her with the air horn. I usually don't see any of the cats after that. I've watched Roo defend his girls a few times, lots of puffing, squawking etc. He's very good at his job. I'm hoping the relationship between us all will remain cordial. I think this is good news for other people dealing with cats. I'm not saying that a stray can be lived with, but that an established feral colony could be if it's the right one. I feel that these cats are domesticated enough to behave, but hey they are still cats. I'll know more this spring, when I have a broody hatch(I hope!)

 

[aart]

Wonders how the chooks react when you hit that air horn? lol Makes me kinda jump just thinking about it.
Most cats won't bother full grown LF....chicks, definitely at risk.
Best of Luck!

 

[lilmizscareall]

Funny thing... They don't even jump! I was surprised.
Usually the cat is far enough away, when I catch it, so I maybe it's not that startling to them. Or they're just going with the flow, silly animals.

Wonders how the chooks react when you hit that air horn? lol Makes me kinda jump just thinking about it.
Most cats won't bother full grown LF....chicks, definitely at risk.
Best of Luck!

 

[lilmizscareall]

:UPDATE:
I haven't had any losses since November. All chicks are full grown. My B. Maran roo doesn't take charge, as if yet, for the flock. Right now the bantam Roo does, and he bosses the feral cats around quite well. Today I caught him scaring the cats off of their breakfast so his girls could eat.
So yes, I've been successful! You'll all get another update come spring.

 

[aart]

Good Deal!