Cats establish a territory, just like foxes establish a territory. They usually don't like to range out farther than their territory, no matter if they have 5 acres or 160 acres. I only have one cat right now and he keeps it pretty hunted down around here....I can't imagine him having to compete with eight other cats. Makes it a little tough.
Last year, my dd's dog killed five of my six young Roos on 4th of July. They were in a chain link pen without a top and the dog climbed in. I made sure we built a strong pen bc getting rid of the dog was not an option. The long run is super strong with a plywood roof that is shingled. It was more expense than I initially wanted to spend, but I go to bed at night secure that nothing save a bear can get into that coop or run. Keep the cat but build a more secure pen.
Now I'm getting nervous about the neighbor's cats that come to steal scraps from the grown hens.... I have 29+ eggs hatching out under two broodies and there are chicks that are going to be vulnerable to a cat that thinks nothing about stealing from a grown hen.
Yikes.
We're going to get the broodies separated tomorrow before lockdown and now I'm second guessing my strategy...it was going to be the new mom sitting up in the nestbox and hatching out the chicks and putting the more experienced grandmom in the brooder cage since she doesn't change her hatching and continues to get grouchier daily.
Now, with this rouge cat, I'm seriously thinking about leaving grandmom on the nest knowing that she won't take anything from a mere cat, and putting the new mom in the brooder. My cats know that if they touch the chickens, they are dead meat and so, they don't. This other cat, I'm ready to take to the pound because she will NOT stay out of my chicken feed or my house when I dare leave the back door open to get a breeze.
The close to the backyard neighbor who feeds this one and another cat, claims she's taking them both when she moves, but she's barely feeding both of them, so they try to sneak in my house, steal from my girls, and now with fuzzybutts on the hatch, if that batfaced cat takes one step to my new fuzzies, she is GONE, neighbor or no neighbor. She doesn't take good care of them in the first place.
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SSS sounds like a good solution for this cat. Or take it to a shelter, if you don't want to kill it. You don't have to say anything to the neighbor either way. If she asks after a while, you can honestly say, "I haven't seen her around for awhile"
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This sounds like a cat that would make a great pet for someone. It seems to me that the answer to this problem is obvious. Catch the cat, take it to humane society so it can have a chance at a good home.
My best hunters are always listening at the barn door when they hear new chicks. It is MY responsibility to keep the chicks safe. When the chicks are grown, the cats are afraid of them or ignore them. I've not had a problem at all with the cats even the great hunters. The only one that stalks them is my declawed house cat. He thinks he'll get close...yeah right.
Got some more chicks on Monday.
Got some Blue Andalusians, Rhode Island Reds, Aracaunas (sp?), and 3 Kaki Campbell ducks.
Going in tonight they are suppose to have in some cornish cross and guineas.
Cats around a farm are definitly necessary. But the simple reality is 1 cat vs fried chicken dinner or eggs for breakfast.............cat looses. I'm a predator also and competition for my prey will not be tolerated. There will be more cats (8 others will multiply guarenteed). I know this sounds harsh, but it is life. If your warm and fuzzy feelings are offended,.........Sorry.
Cats around a farm are definitly necessary. But the simple reality is 1 cat vs fried chicken dinner or eggs for breakfast.............cat looses. I'm a predator also and competition for my prey will not be tolerated. There will be more cats (8 others will multiply guarenteed). I know this sounds harsh, but it is life. If your warm and fuzzy feelings are offended,.........Sorry.