Feral Cat Problem.

[shepherd]

I was on my way to close up my coop when I saw a large grey thing out in my yard, and quickly realized it was a cat.

So I quietly made my way back into the house and went strait for the marlin .22lr. When I came back outside the cat was in the same spot just sniffing around. I didnt have a clear shot so I waited. Thats when one of my chickens moved on the roost and made a little noise. The cat being about 20 yard from the coop shot its head up and looked for a few second then started walking in the direction of my coop. It then gave me a clear 25 yard shot which I took and dropped him in its tracks.It was clean humane kill and I bet I saved one of my chickens too.

Feral cats are large problem for our native species of song birds, quail, pheasant, rabbits, and anything they can get their claws around. Including my chickens.

This has been the second feral cat ive killed in three weeks and wont be the last. I have no tolerance for these cats and neither should anyone else. Next time you go quail or rabbit hunting and dont see anything think about that cat or cats that are always hanging around your property. If you have this problem they are easily live traped with a little bit of ham or hotdog. Or you can all out hunt them down. Cats are an invasive destuctive species and take a huge toll on the native wildlife. If you need anymor hunting info on them just send me a message.

Any opinions on the subject?

 

[MysticScorpio82]

Well we have a natural way to control the feral cats in my area - Coyotes. I do agree that the feral ones are a danger because they are so hungry that they are apt to take more chances and go for a larger bird.

I honestly don't have alot of thought on the subject other that I agree they are a nuisance and something should be done. To what degree depends on the indivdual and I will by no means judge a person for doing what they feel needs to be done to protect their own.

 

[Matt A NC]

What is worse is my neighbor. He decided to stop feeding his cats and tossed them outside. I already had to deal with one. Now another has started killing and has killed 3, 2 of which were extremely precious to me. My birds are in my fenced yard and have been safe here for over 6 years until now.

It is not the cats faught and I do my best to make it quick. My disgust is with the neighbor. County animal control and the sheriff's office won't do anything. They won't even respond to calls.

Matt

 

[wood&feathers]

We have plenty of coyotes, and no shortage of feral felines either. I suspect we are in terrain that allows a certain number to escape the 'yotes. I trapped a few, and am wondering if I am copping out by burning fossil fuels to take the unhappy ones I catch down to the county shelter, where I know what happens. I suspect shooting them is probably a happier ending.

Once I did manage to grab a litter of kittens from under a log. I drove them 2 counties over to my veterinarian, who has connections to better animal shelters than ours.

 

[CMV]

Feral cats are fortunately something I don't have to deal with. Between the coyotes and fisher cats we can't keep outdoor cats alive in my neck of the woods. Neighbors around here know if they want to keep their cats then their cats are kept inside.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

wood&feathers :

We have plenty of coyotes, and no shortage of feral felines either. I suspect we are in terrain that allows a certain number to escape the 'yotes.

I am sure the terrian does either help or hinder the feral cat; but up here in the north east our coyotes are cross bred with timber wolves, so they are much bigger. I think that may play a part as well.

CMV hit the nail on the head for my area as well (go figure - she is in my neighbor state

hehe) I forgot about the fishers that also love killing cats! But I have lost a 4 indoor cats to the wildlife. It is my fault for not catching them the moment they ran out the door...​

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i think it's just a crying shame that there even are feral cats. It all comes from people not spaying and neutering their animals, or tossing them outside thinking they can fend for themselves. When we first moved here there were lot of feral cats. i felt so sorry for them, out in the cold, no food. We were able to catch several babies from one mom cat and get them to a rescue group. Never could catch mom to have her spayed. Over time they have all disappeared. Neighbors on the street behind, i found out, were trapping and taking them to animal control. i think one gorgeous boy might have perished in the nasty weather last winter.

i can't blame you a bit for doing what you had to do to protect your flock. i just wish no one had to deal with this problem. And i wish no cat had to suffer the harsh life of being a feral.

 

[TigerLilly]

Quote:
I know what you mean--neighbors on both sides of me have outdoor cats; I'm about tired of chasing them out of my 2 acre yard! So far (key phrase, I know), they havent gone near the chickens, but they do get into my garbage! The problem with animal control is that they have to find the animal in your yard when they get there. Cats don't usually hang around once you make your presence known.
MY CAT STAYS INSIDE & BOTHERS NO ONE (except the dog...)

 

[Chick Charm]

The sad truth is YOU have to protect your chickens. Shooting a cat about to eat a chicken is the right thing to do. If you call animal control on a loose or even feral cat you will probably get no response. If your neighbor who lets their cats out to "free range" on your birds calls in a complaint about "those noisy chickens" you will eventually have to deal with the animal control. Not fair, but true. People need to learn to keep any predatory animal controlled or it can be likely that someone will eliminate that predator.

 

[Mattemma]

I get rid of cats-feral or not-that are in my yard. I have tried to have local shelters take in cats,but they won't do feral and rarely strays.Last time I asked they wanted $100 to take in a cat. Local AC will take cats.Neighbor cats get taken further away.If cats are roamers they face risks. I will hold newbies for people just in case it *just got out*,but repeat visitors are fair game to be caught.

Cat did not bother me when I was a kid,but now when I smell pee around my foundation from them I get very upset. I never realised how much damage cats can do.I don't mind them killing the mice,but you can not teach them to not take down the native birds.

I also do not want roamers getting close to MY cats.I have no extra cash to treat multiple diseases.

Atleast if you shoot they will die fast.