How to deter feral cats?

[Eggie and Me]

We have a cat problem, we hung wind chimes in the chicken yard. Our girls got used to them very quickly and the sound scares the cats. We also have 2 dogs who a fantastic with our little flock of 6, and are great at chasing off the unwanted cats. Good luck

 

[hcppam]

Sorry about cats hanging around but...Killing them should not be an option. If they haven't harmed your chickens and you still have time to come up with solution as stated, a dog, motion detectors, a Roo, you are going to have much more problematic predators hanging around.

 

[Eggie and Me]

Oh my gosh, I would never kill a cat or allow my dogs to. Their barking scares them off the screened roof, that is all they do. I agree get a Roo....

 

[Gullygarden]

My experience is that an electric mesh run fence properly strung and with a solar charger keeps them out. Keeps out dogs too. Dogs are way worse than cats for killing chickens. Cats mostly only go for little ones. Dogs kill them all. Google premier chicken mesh. Do wait until they are 8 weeks plus to use this fence.

 

[Mattemma]

For the song birds I would get rid of the cats via AC.

 

[Gmsg01]

Also, because there are a lot of great ideas for protecting your chickens, but not the wild birds, see if there is a local group that provides TNR (trap,neuter,release). Preventing new kittens, while supporting an established population, actually keeps numbers down. The "residents" will drive out any newcomers thoughtfully left by the summer visitors. Your neighbour gets to happily continue to feed his named "not pets", less cats in the colony, and less predation on wild birds/chickens.

 

[aprophet]

.22 caliber "spirit stick" it steals their spirit then there's the shovel and shutup part

a 220 conibear is a lot quieter 1 cat kills over 3 songbirds a day plus small mammals

 

[Beekissed]

Not all roos will challenge a cat, particularly a very determined and hungry cat. Your best bet is a good farm dog on a wireless electric fencing system that can reside by your coop~ or .22 logic. The .22 metal injection is the cheapest and most final solution...we don't have any feral cat problems out here in the hills. Come to think on it, we don't have a stray dog problem either. It's bliss!

 

[no1hilbily]

pellet gun

 

[Robertbrown]

Quote:

The difference between pets and pests is only on which side of the fence they're standing... keep your animals in your own property.

Fair enough, just keep in mind if that cat leaves your property with your lead in it and is collected by the owner

you could be in deep $hi-do-do

. You'll get your name in the paper. Also .22 rounds have a tendancy to not stop at the fence or property line so this form of eradication is for experts. Same with the pellet gun. Traps need to checked hourly and disabled when you are not home.
What to do with a trapped cat? Relocation is not ethical as you are giving your problem to somone else. The method of removal should be decided before the the trap is set, as cats are easy to trap....once. Some people with rodent problems will welcome another barn cat

. They simply become a burden on the county or other animal shelter and will most likley be euthanized a tax payers expense

.
Use good judgement and try not to hurt somones beloved pet but look out for your own as well

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