Kitten Preditor!!

[newchickmom]

I have 2 cats and 5 - 4month-old kittens. My kittens are almost the size of full-grown cats now. Their mama showed them the barn area, when they were about 8 wks old and started teaching them to catch mice. At first they tried to play-stalk the chickens but now leave them alone all together. They will lay around by the barn and not even give the chickens a second glance unless they happen to get run over by one.

Then they take off.

The neighbor is across the street and has a kitten the same age and color as ours. At first I thought one of my kittens had started chasing the chickens, then I realized there were 6 in the barn-yard. They only way I can tell them apart, is theirs has a white flea collar on and that is the one that was chasing the younger chickens (18 wks old) He is a very sweet kitten and I hate the idea of killing someones pet. I have taken him back to his home twice now. He has actually grabed tail feathers in his chasing, and I have tried a squirt gun to teach him, but it is not working.

What do I do now??

I have thought about rehoming him to someone in town. Their other kitten stays home. What should I do?

 

[Ashmeade]

You really cannot rehome someone else's pet without their permission. That is actually stealing.

I would talk to your neighbor and if they are not willing to keep their pet out of your yard, then call AC to pick it up. You can also check your local laws but I believe in most places you are legally entitled to protect your livestock against preditors__that might get your negligent neighbor's attention.

In interim I would just watch for the cat and drive it out of your yard every time you see it. Food coloring to dye the cat might also serve to get your neighbor's attention. A friend of mine did this with their neighbor's poodle who crapping on their porch after numberous attempts to get them to keep their dog in their own yard. Dyed it red and after that they never saw the dog on their porch again! (didn't hurt the dog either).

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

garden hose. cats are smart and she'll figure out that its not worth it to get sprayed with water every time she skulks over.

 

[berkeleysprings]

a dog might do the trick !or a phen

 

[newchickmom]

I like the idea of dying it, but that won't work on a black cat.

We don't want a dog right now, our last one had to be put down with cancer at 15 years old. We're just not ready yet.

The garden hose may be a lot more effective than a squirt gun has been.

If that doesn't work, I guess I will just hold it for animal control.

 

[Ashmeade]

They have those "super-soaker" water guns with some pressure to them. THAT might get kitty's attention.

Though I bet the good 'ole garden hose might do the trick.

Good luck!

 

[WestTexasFarmboy]

I have one of those stalkers too...

 

[Ashmeade]

TOO CUTE!

I have a barn cat that sits on one of my coops__though she is a "rester" more than preditor.

 

[ISSOLA]

Quote:
Oh dear ... you just make me want to get more cats.... That is a beautiful Birman (if that is what it is...), or a very very cute domestic.

 

[kittyariel]

My cats love the chickens, and the chickens love the cats!!!!! everyone lays on the front steps together