Neighbor called to say we have a bob cat!

[sformel]

I've had this eerie feeling somethings been watching my chickens and geese all week so I've been letting them out late and locking them up earlier than usual. I've also been spending more time with them outside and looking for clues in case anything was around. My chickens have only been laying 1/2 the # eggs they usually lay, my geese are trying to sleep in the run instead of the coop, my dogs have all but stopped going outside except to potty and I heard twigs snapping in the woods above the yard where the chickens free range a couple times but both times it went silent afterward. Well today my neighbor called to say he received a phone alert that showed a bob cat was drinking from the creek beside his house so I guess I know now what that uneasy feeling was and why. I'm hoping my neighbor will send me a picture later and if he does I'll post it here.For now my chickens and geese are in lock down until we figure out what to do about this bob cat.(He lives less than 150 feet from me and the creek is closer to my house)

Bobcats have to eat too…

 

[McChooky]

Bobcats have to eat too…

I'm not enthused about shooting it and glad it avoids my place.Thanks!

 

[LouiseG]

I live in Central Arkansas. I understand what your going through. I've had a couple foxes driving me bonkers for months. I have 2 security cameras and have caught him numerous times. In AR you have to have to have a permit...not a reason to trap or take coyotes, fox, or Bobcat In a season. If they are threatening my property im still "Unable" to just shoot them unfortunately. Winkwink

Except if an animal is killing domestic animals in AR you are legally allowed to "dispatch" it. "Domestic" includes chickens, kittens, calves, etc.,) I had a couple of neighbors whose hunting dogs were running loose and killing chickens. I called the phone numbers on the dogs' collars ('cause the dogs don't run, they just cower) and let their owners know where I got their #'s from and that next time their dogs would disappear. We don't have any more dogs running loose, they are all locked up now.

 

[sformel]

I'm not enthused about shooting it and glad it avoids my place.Thanks!

Please don’t shoot the bobcat. They are amazing animals and there are lots more chickens around than there are bobcats!

 

[Evadig]

Please don’t shoot the bobcat. They are amazing animals and there are lots more chickens around than there are bobcats!

X 2

 

[McChooky]

I built sturdy predator proof coops and runs for my chickens years ago so they're safe and free range inside a fence (with an electric fence She has moved on now because she ate my neighbors chickens across the street (long ago) and only left because mine are too hard to catch.Fear not I'm not going to shoot the bob cat.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Dont hesitate to call wildlife control

 

[McChooky]

Dont hesitate to call wildlife control

They advised me to build a better fence since they avoid electric fences

 

[my spoiled chickens]

They advised me to build a better fence since they avoid electric fences

well that's not very helpful just shoot the dang thing and get it over with!

 

[McChooky]

well that's not very helpful just shoot the dang thing and get it over with!

I still free range just not as often and not the same time every day.I haven't had any losses only that one attack. I kept mine locked up all winter but I'm letting them out a couple time a week now.I don't intend to shoot it unless it kills several and so far it hasn't killed any