Feral Cat is terrorizing our flock.

[oherin]

We have been fighting an unknown predator for 3 weeks. We rotate our chickens in several fenced garden areas.

At first we suspected a hawk since our bantams were targeted. Only a few feathers being left on the ground. Then, as our standards were targeted, we noticed a gap in part of the back fence. Then, we thought fox. By this time 5 chickens were gone: 2 bantams and 3 standards in 2 weeks.

We placed the chickens in a more secure run and up went the game camera. This week, 3 more hens went missing during the day. Also, my roo kept coming down to the house at dusk to roost. He jumps the 5 ft fence and refuses to walk back to the coop (even when enticed with treats). Jumping the fence and leaving his girls is not typical behavior for him.

Late yesterday afternoon, we put our roo back into the run 3 times. On our 4th trip to the run, we heard the hens squawking. We made it to see a feral cat jump the fence and run into the woods. A bantam was separated from the flock but seemed to be ok.

Could one cat have such an appetite? That is 5 standard hens and 3 bantams in 3 weeks!

 

[yogifink]

Did you pick anything up on your game camera?

Is it a feral house cat or a larger cat like a bobcat?

 

[Majd]

I'd say a bobcat or something. ..

 

[Granny Hatchet]

still sounds like a small fox,

 

[Granny Hatchet]

think i would try a live trap with some tuna in it. i have feral cats around here from neighbors but they dont bother my chickens. i welcome them because they help with the mice. mabey think about guineas they are good watch dogs and they whop my cats butt all the time but they are loud

 

[Cluky]

We have feral cats in my area. Couple of times my banties were stalked and cat would jump between them. Problem is then she wasn't sure what to do with them ha ha. In any case if cat is hungry enough I could see it take out a bantie, but not a full sized hen. Also there is no way a cat would freak a rooster out this way.

 

[liltigerlil]

We have been fighting an unknown predator for 3 weeks.  We rotate our chickens in several fenced garden areas. 



At first we suspected a hawk since our bantams were targeted.  Only a few feathers being left on the ground.  Then, as our standards were targeted, we noticed a gap in part of the back fence.  Then, we thought fox.  By this time 5 chickens were gone: 2 bantams and 3 standards in 2 weeks.

We placed the chickens in a more secure run and up went the game camera.  This week, 3 more hens went missing during the day. Also, my roo kept coming down to the house at dusk to roost.  He jumps the 5 ft fence and refuses to walk back to the coop (even when enticed with treats).  Jumping the fence and leaving his girls is not typical behavior for him.

Late yesterday afternoon, we put our roo back into the run 3 times.  On our 4th trip to the run, we heard the hens squawking.  We made it to see a feral cat jump the fence and run into the woods.  A bantam was separated from the flock but seemed to be ok.

Could one cat have such an appetite?  That is 5 standard hens and 3 bantams in 3 weeks!

 

[liltigerlil]

Need a cat trap of meat and or tuna and oz trap cage. Problem solved just noisy.

 

[oherin]

I am wondering if my chickens are just being blitzed by several predators at once. We only caught a small cat on the camera. We have seen it fleeing once. There are piles of feathers in the woods below our house. The live trap has not been effective so far.

 

[trekie123]

I would be surprised if it does not turn out to be a fox. As was said above, its unlikely to be a cat even a feral one and im pretty sure a bobcat would be seen on camera. Its not a hawk if feathers were found in a different area as it would not be able to carry it any distance and if it could it would most likely bring it to a roost. A hungry fox is an animal that could easily take a hen and be cute enough to avoid traps. My money is on the fox.
Theres an idea ...lets run a book on what it is.... 6/4 a fox....2/1 a bob cat.....3/2 a feral cat .... and 7/1 a hawk..
The book is open