Mystery of missing chickens solved

[zippychickens]

Nicely put.

 

[Eggseronious]

Lucky this happened during the daytime, so U seen it. Lots of dogs and cats roam at nite and sleep all day. Most of them are not half fed. I think alot of chicken kills are not of the wild kind of varmints! I check my cows at nite during calving season and U would be amazed at the old dogs and cats roaming around. Now for the animal control around here its called a Winchester.

 

[Miltonchix]

Quote:
Around here we have 4 of them. Mr Ruger, Mr Glock, Mr Remington, and if the big boys are needed, Mr Springfield who gets called out for "free ranging" pit bulls and the like.

 

[rooster0209]

I have five farm cats (all s/n/vac) and one tried to get in the guineas when they were young. So, what did I do? Built a cat proof coop until they were big enough to defend themselves. Now the cats lounge around w/the birds and cause no trouble. When my chicks are small..the same precautions will be taken.

I also have two that try and get the finches at the feeder. Good luck but I doubt its going to happen. I have had to replace the niger sock twice.

 

[Denece&Lacey]

You have the right to protect your own property and animals. If someone elses cat, dog or whatever is killing your chickens, or whatever you have every right to shoot it. Everyone else should keep thier animals off of your property. You can only do so much to protect your chickens but everyone needs to do their part in keeping thier animals on thier own property. If it was a stray then thats all you can do is shoot it.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Sheesh! A cat, out of all things. Well, sounds like that was his last meal anyways!

 

[mommy9994]

I must have misread the first time. I thought it was the friend's cat, didn't realize it was a feral cat. I would absolutely dispatch a feral cat if it were hanging around. Snatching chickens or not. It poses a threat to my family. Around here at least, animal control will do nothing about feral cats or dogs.

 

[Miltonchix]

Maybe we'll just have to agree to disagree on the feral animal bit. Feral will NEVER be natural. Especially when it comes to dogs and cats. Modern dogs and cats barely resemble the stock they came from.

 

[rooster0209]

Feral and stray/abandoned/homeless are two totally different things.

Feral cats are wild and are usually not seen much by people, other than their caretakers (if they have one). They lack social skills to become tame, unless found at a very very young age. They were bred, born and raised in the wild and lack any domestic traits.

Stray/abandoned cats are unsociable & scared. They can easily be caught/trapped and socialized into homes. They are still domestic.

 

[eggzettera]

when they become truly feral they are no different than any other "natural" predator.

If a feral cat or actually any cat would actually eat the songbirds, then I would agree with you pixiechic but they don't.

I will never again have a cat that isn't strictly an indoor cat, just for this reason.

I love to watch the birds come to my feeders & I really hate seeing the neighbors cat coming along. I feel like I am somehow "chumming" the birds for the cat and have become an accomplice to his kills.