Neighbor's cat killed chicken

[centrarchid]

Thank you for the advice. I have seen many threads on these boards where people claim that cats don't kill chickens. I will never trust a cat around my chickens again.

Cats in general do not kill chickens on a regular basis. You committed a big no-no by providing a situation promoting the interest of a cat that would do it.

 

[slingshotandLAR]

Just for reference....

I don't let my birds out until they are laying in the nesting boxes. 20-22 weeks at the earliest. 6 weeks is way too soon.

When I first let them out they stay very close to the coop, and slowly as the days pass they start ranging further away. By keeping them in until they are 20 weeks they firmly understand that's home.

 

[spikennipper]

Sorry to hear about your chicken but now you plan to pen the birds until they are bigger do you need to kill the cat? your neighbour has others so more will come, you cannot kill them all, just look at it as a learning curve prevention is better than a cure, perhaps you can build them a nice large pen so they can still roam but be safe from predators? I wouldn't do it as revenge either, the cat is only doing what instinct dictates.

 

[shortgrass]

I thought I'd add...because it sounds like you might need to CATCH a couple of cats and turn them over to the humane society.... Look for "dog proof coon traps"... They are a little paw sized tube, and you can put tuna fish in it, and the cat tries to dig the tuna out and gets its paw snapped shut on. Humane, easy, cats gone(a little tricky to get off of a mad cat, though)... I " accidentally caught my neighbors cat, so I KNOW they work on cats ha-ha

And I also add that I agree that they are just too young to be out with no fencing... They look delicious to a cat, so I personally wouldn't put them out AT ALL until they are bigger than "cat sized" bird...8-10 weeks, unless you build them a good solid run, and keep an eye on those cats...pellet gun and dog proof coon traps, those are our defense against cats

 

[allpeepedout]

I thought I'd add...because it sounds like you might need to CATCH a couple of cats and turn them over to the humane society.... Look for "dog proof coon traps"... They are a little paw sized tube, and you can put tuna fish in it, and the cat tries to dig the tuna out and gets its paw snapped shut on. Humane, easy, cats gone(a little tricky to get off of a mad cat, though)... I " accidentally caught my neighbors cat, so I KNOW they work on cats ha-ha

And I also add that I agree that they are just too young to be out with no fencing... They look delicious to a cat, so I personally wouldn't put them out AT ALL until they are bigger than "cat sized" bird...8-10 weeks, unless you build them a good solid run, and keep an eye on those cats...pellet gun and dog proof coon traps, those are our defense against cats

Agree. Technically, you may be correct in that the cats should not be in your yard. However, releasing very young birds into your yard with numerous neighboring cats is like setting bait for the cats.

I have had multiple cats while raising baby chicks. At some point, chicks get big enough that my cats lose interest. However, at 6 weeks, they still are too small and should be kept protected, not only from cats but from all other predators.

Worst case, I would trap a few cats, drop off at humane society, and let my neighbor know where to pick them up. Be read for possible retaliation.

 

[littleohioflock]

Just to be clear, the chickens have a VERY secure coop and run. I let them out for a VERY short period in a small area of the yard where I was present. Obviously, that was not sufficient to keep them safe. Lesson well-learned. I posted this originally to help warn others because when I initially searched the site for information about cats/chickens, the overwhelming majority of posts stated that cats were not a big threat. Hopefully, this will prevent others from making the same mistake I did.

 

[centrarchid]

Just to be clear, the chickens have a VERY secure coop and run. I let them out for a VERY short period in a small area of the yard where I was present. Obviously, that was not sufficient to keep them safe. Lesson well-learned. I posted this originally to help warn others because when I initially searched the site for information about cats/chickens, the overwhelming majority of posts stated that cats were not a big threat. Hopefully, this will prevent others from making the same mistake I did.

They are still generally not a big threat. You just got lucky (un) and took a risk. Broody hens can shut cats down well.

 

[Dharmachick]

I beg to differ about the broody hen. The neighbor's cat got a week old chocolate orpington. The broody was too small and too late to fight it off. I will pen my broodies from now on, since my fenced backyard is not enough. For years I let my broodies do what they wanted, now that damn cat that is in my yard every time I go out is killing my chicks. He went after a 4 month old black copper marans but was not successful. I talked to the neighbors about it and they put a bell on his collar that doesn't make noise. I want to set up a camera, or take a date stamped picture of the cat in my yard.

 

[The Moonshiner]

 

[AngieDawn]

Either allow chicks to get larger prior to free-ranging or deal with cat like you would a feral dog or offending wildlife taking into consideration possible reaction of neighbor if she knows.

Agreed
Her cat on your property means you can take care of it any way you wish.