How would you scare off a cat?

[Messica]

If you do a search just here on Backyard Chickens it brings up 656,000+ incidents where cats attacked birds and people were either grieving the loss or were trying to stop it from happening again.

I have four cats, two indoor and two who live outside 24/7. My inside cats are terrified of even chicks and ducklings when they're in the house during brooding period, the two outside investigate new additions to the flock but otherwise ignore all the birds even free ranging (except when treats are brought out, in which case they attempt to sneak tidbits and are usually run off lol). Unfortunately that doesn't mean that's how all cats are, or even most. Based on my personal situation I too find it hard to believe but the proof is in the pudding and it's not worth the risk playing around with straying cats one doesn't know well enough to trust

 

[Wandercreek]

Unfortunately that doesn't mean that's how all cats are, or even most. Based on my personal situation I too find it hard to believe but the proof is in the pudding and it's not worth the risk playing around with straying cats one doesn't know well enough to trust

Agreed.
I based my reply on personal experience and the fact that OP stated the cat belonged to her neighbor who does come retrieve the cat when the chicken starts making noise. I assume this cat is cared for and well fed. A hungry stray might indeed consider a chicken worth the risk.
That said, I still think that cats are among the least worrisome critters out there.

 

[happybooker1]

My grandmother, on her ranch in West Texas, had Leghorns, banties, guineas, & peafowl. She also had 20ish barn cats at any one time.

I never heard any of the family complaining about any of the cats getting the birds. I never saw the barn cats even chasing baby chicks. They were always too full of the rats & mice they caught.

 

[trudyg]

I don't know that cats only kill when hungry. I think they just naturally hunt. I've had a cat play with a mouse and, as long as it squeaks and struggles, they'll keep at it until it's dead.

 

[dekel18042]

During the last 2 weeks or so, next doors cat has realised we have a hen in the backyard. How good are cats at catching chickens? So far we have heard her start clucking and come outside to chase the cat off, but it keeps coming back. I threw water on it today.

The neighbours will come out if they hear the clucking and I assume either call the cat back or come into the backyard and grab it. I'm just worried it will come into the yard one day when no one is home in either house.

I threw water at it today. If I keep doing that, do you think it will get the message? It's only a young cat, I think.

Is the cat stalking your chicken or merely curious? A hose might scare it, especially if you are quiet while you use it. We had barn cats and chickens when I was small and although they caught many things, mice, rats, squirrels they would leaven new baby bantams alone. There were terrified of mother hens and that carried over to the babies, but don't know the experiences your neighbor's cat has had.
If you are quietly outside when it is nearby a can or pennies or pebbles tossed near it should scare it especially if it can't figure out where the wrath from the sky is coming from.

 

[speckledhen]

The only thing I'd worry about would be a chick or small bantam. No stray cats around here have ever hurt my chickens. And a cat showed up 2 years ago and stayed. He's fine with all my chickens, including the bantams. I call him my Livestock Guardian Cat. That is not to say he won't on rare occasion just run into a group to watch them scatter, but a broody hen put the fear of the broody into him and he won't mess with adult hens, especially those with chicks !

 

[Red5]

A close range assault with at least half a dozen lit roman candles.

 

[speckledhen]

A close range assault with at least half a dozen lit roman candles.

LOL, well, that would work.

 

[Woytgirl]

A close range assault with at least half a dozen lit roman candles.

That is hilarious!!

 

[Folly's place]

Then again, your chickens might have heart attacks too! Mary