We've lost 4 bantams, (the only Polish hen we had and a very nice Red Pyle hen), and a few babies over the last couple weeks. One night last week were were awakened by the dog going crazy. Opened the door and there was a huge cat stalking around the run. He took off before I could get outside.
My wife came back from the bus stop just in time to see the same cat snatch a small hen. She got close enough to kick it and scare it off. Same cat.
Well, borrowed the trap from the in laws and set it by the run. Checked it next morning and it had been sprung but was empty...the door hung up on something on the way down and didn't close all the way. Moved it a little and set it again, (baited with some bologna), and kept our cat inside for the night.. Well, guess who was in the trap yesterday.
We have a lot of feral cats in the area, but this one will not be bothering chickens again. Also, raccoons, rats, weasels, oppossums and dogs.
First predator confonted. Hopefully the last too.
My wife came back from the bus stop just in time to see the same cat snatch a small hen. She got close enough to kick it and scare it off. Same cat.
Well, borrowed the trap from the in laws and set it by the run. Checked it next morning and it had been sprung but was empty...the door hung up on something on the way down and didn't close all the way. Moved it a little and set it again, (baited with some bologna), and kept our cat inside for the night.. Well, guess who was in the trap yesterday.
We have a lot of feral cats in the area, but this one will not be bothering chickens again. Also, raccoons, rats, weasels, oppossums and dogs.
First predator confonted. Hopefully the last too.
