Next doors cat a threat?

[sammark]

I have two 8 week old goslings here kept in a pen in the house at the minute, i have an out door enclosure built for them but its open so next doors cat could get in with ease, i would be really grateful if anyone knows at what age they will be able to defend themselves against her. She is a brilliant hunter i always see her with birds and mice and i really dont want to put them out til im absolutly sure they wont get hurt.

 

[larkflying]

Have you had them out when she trots by? Eight week old goslings are pretty big - I'd think she'd be too intimidated to go after any, especially with 8. You'd have a better idea if you watched them when they could see the cat. If at least some of them hiss and rush at her, then I think they'll be able to deal with the cat.

We have a plethora of feral cats around, some that are semi tame, and some that are wild -- they always give the geese a wide berth and the geese keep their eyes on them. They hiss and ruffle if the cat gets too close. Now, my ducks, they are clueless. They'd walk into the lions mouth, asking, what, what, what are those funny white pointy things . . .

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

If a cat can get n so can other predators that can kill the geese.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

If a cat can get n so can other predators that can kill the geese.

What Celtic said! Raccoons, skunks, opossums, and rats can all fit through the same hole as a cat and are far more lethal.

 

[Iain Utah]

I would not worry about cats. Where I live minks are our biggest gosling threat, which are smaller than cats and very nasty predators.

 

[sammark]

The goslings will be kept in a secure fox proof coop from dusk til dawn when foxes are most likely to strike, its through the day time when they are free to roam in an open enclosure that im worried about the cat, i know she wouldnt dare take on a full grown goose but not so sure about these two with them only being 8weeks there just big babies at the minute and one of them has a deformed foot so would be at more of a disadvantage, they dont hurt me when they bite they dont even break the skin the cat could do far more damage. I might put them out but stay with them and watch what the cat does. Thanks for your replies especially the ducks walking into the lions mouth, hillarious! haha.

 

[wildpeas]

My two goslings turned 9 weeks today. Yesterday Greta tried to "attack" my dog and today she was chasing the cat across the yard. Cats are not even on my list of predators to worry about.

 

[larkflying]

It is all about intimidation with geese. The cats here, once they see the geese heading toward them, snakey neck, hissing, ruffled feathers -- they know that it is time to be somewhere else. If the cat is crazy and doesn't run, and they actually get their beak on her -- they'll hold onto her and beat her with their wings and goose wings hurt! At eight weeks your geese are close to full size too . . . I think giving them some practice watching the cat will reassure you that the cat isn't going to stick around, and that your geese remember what to do with suspicious little animals.

When your geese are nibbling on you, they are being curious with a flock member -- it is different than the bites that they give nasty intruding animals (or people -- I've gotten some nasty bites from ganders protecting their nests). If they do start biting hard, be sure you tell them no, just like a puppy!

Sounds like you have a nice safe coop for them during the night too. We have coyotes instead of foxes, but sounds like they hunt in a similar manner.

My ducks are my comedians - they are so funny. Every time something strange is around you can find them as close to it as possible, staring intently. I located the raven that was stealing eggs by the ring of ducks around the tree he was sitting in . . . sigh.

 

[sammark]

I finally introduced next doors cat to the goslings, i kept a hold of the cat and my husband let them out into the garden, Jeremy the gander marched straight over to the cat beak in her face no fear what so ever, the cat on the other hand looked very uneasy. I know cats cant speak but if they could im sure she would have said something like "Oh sh*t ... its birdzilla" judging by the look on her face! I dont think shes ever come across a bird that big so im quite happy with how that went, even if the cat would win the fight i think there size alone would put her off trying. In our area the only other main predator would be the fox and thats covered with them being in a coop at times when foxes are likely to strike. Thanks so much for all your replies