Feral tomcat

[Judy]

Quote:
I definitely wouldn't do that. He''ll never leave if you do.

I would try a garden hose a few times; actually, one good water stream has worked for me more than once with a cat. If it doesn't work, trapping or shooting are probably the wisest moves. Most cats seem to leave chickens alone, but not all.

 

[ezgreen]

Thanks, not going to throw cat food.

 

[stilldeb]

We have had a cat hanging around our chickens lately, too. It can't get them in the pen, but I am afraid to let them out in the yard (although it's too cold right now because I'm not sitting out there with them!). He has only looked at them from a distance til now, and I have three dogs which keep him away when they are outside, but sometimes the darned thing is at the bottom of my laundry room steps or up on the deck - just too close. I'm sure it is a barn cat from the farm next door. All our chickens are bantams, so if it wanted too, some of them are small enough where it could do some serious damage. Although I think my silkie roo would take him on! Maybe one of those scarecrow sprinklers, when I'm sure it wouldn't freeze up, we've been so cold this winter. A couple of squirts from that and maybe it would go away. (Most likely, I will forget it's out there and it will probably end up spraying ME!)

deb g
KY

 

[MuscovyMad]

There are a few cats that are after my bantams aswell. I have tried to chase them away and have thrown many buckets of water at them but they keep coming back. They are normal domestic cats and are huge! I don't know what to do. My chickens just keep running into a corner of the garden and screaming until i come out to chase it away.

Is there any breed of chicken i could get that would put the cats off? Currently my OEG cockerel just pushes the fattest pekin towards the cats like an offering.

I also thought about spraying my chickens with anti feather pecking spray. I havn't used this spray before as my chickens are nice and peaceful. However i was thinking that if it smells then maybe it would put the cats off.

Any ideas on stopping these frequent attacks would be much appreciated.

 

[nzpouter]

Quote:

 

[nzpouter]

but seriously...

why take chances with your animals safety...? We live at the edge of town, a lot of cats are dumped around here, some breed and their offsprings are huge, wild, and very skilled hunters... I lost more chickens and ducks to cats than any other animals...

if a predator doesn't belong in this property/ not recognised as one of neighbour's (collar, etc), it will be shot..... actually the neighbour's animals enter at their own risk as well...

 

[Judy]

In the end I think we just have to evaluate each cat/situation as it arises. I've been worried that one of my cats would go after my new chicks; they did have access, with only the mama to protect them (well, and maybe the roo, but I've never seen any of my chickens peck at the cats.)

Today I was sitting in the coop and watched my more adventurous cat come in. He looked at the broody in a trance on the nest and jumped back a bit; she didn't even know he was there. Then he went to a pile of hay and started stalking. He had to be after mice. He walked right by the baby chicks, paying them no attention at all. And the mama paid him no attention.

 

[MuscovyMad]

I have now moved them out to a livery yard. Which is where they normally live. I just brought them home to pamper them when the snow came. Only problem being that there is a much loved farm cat there

. So i am trying to work out a way for them to peacefully coincide. The whole reason being that if i don't try then the chickens will live out the rest of their days in a 4ft by 6 ft run with nothing to do. When they could be outside running around looking for bugs etc.

For interest has anyone used the anti feather pecking spray before? I.e does it smell of chemicals. Because if it does i may invest in some in the hope that it deters the cat from trying.

 

[ezgreen]

I am happy to report the feral tom I was worried about has respectfully stayed away.

I see him prowl through the field to this pocket of trees. He hunts there for something and must be getting what he wants.

 

[schellie69]

I trust my cat with my chickens but other cats no. I loss a chick to a stray cat last fall. I found the only weakness in my new coop that is fixed. I would keep an eye out and know that when you free range your flock unless you are there. They can and will be gotten by predators with that is raccoons or cats.