Neighborhood cats stalking my flock

[DorothyBlancheandRose]

Hello All! I have 5 full grown (8+ month) hens and recently two neighborhood cats have become waaaay too interested in my flock. I’ve caught them on the fence, then in the yard, and now they’ve found a way to get on the roof of the coop, from which they could easily jump into the run/coop. My girls get really scared and clump together and hide- they are not showing an inclination to be defensive against the cats.
The cats are neighbor’s pets, not strays, and they aren’t huge cats, but it’s a bit concerning they are becoming more bold and getting closer.

I am legally not allowed to own a rooster, FYI. I have a dog who chases them away when she’s outside, but in rainy Oregon, she can’t spend all day out there patrolling. Any suggestions or am I worrying g for nothing? I’d hate for any of my girls to be hurt or worse! The run/coop is pictured below. It seems impossible to fully enclose it with poultry netting, eg, with the trees/bushes, etc, but maybe I should try?

 

[ChicNmom]

Hi, You mentioned full grown hens. If they are large full size hens, not bantams, the cats may just be curious. Although I do know someone who's cat has hunted and brought home rabbits.

When I have brought chickens in the house my 2 cats have been curious but when they get within 2 feet of the chickens they start squawking and the cats run away. I have also had 2 attempts by bobcats and both times a single chicken or the whole group freaked out and the bobcat ran away.

If you wanted to try the netting I would put it in the places you think the cats would try to jump down. They won't try to walk on the net.

You could also get some feline repelling spray or landscape pellets and put them near the area they are coming in the yard.

If you can figure out where the cats are climbing up to get on top of the coop you could possible tape a long strip of aluminum foil. They also hate tape placed sticky side up.

All of these things have worked inside the house to keep cats off of things I didn't want them on so could work outside with a little bit of tweaking.

Also maybe talk to your neighbor if you think they will be helpful.