Outside cat enclosure?

[PirateGirl]

Basically, build them a chicken coop with a tall run and plenty of shelves to sit on. My aunt has one that she calls catlandia. She used to live in a neighborhood where someone was poisoning cats. Plus there were injuries from fights and accidents with cars. Before catlandia, she had a very simple rectangular one that she gave me when she moved. We slapped wheels on it, installed roosts, and now it's our tractor/grow out pen.

Agreed, like a chicken coop. Predator proof, shade, wind block, sleeping space, and perches, different heights with different views. We'd love to see pics when you are done! Also things they can scratch on. My cat goes straight to the firewood pile and scratche the bark when I let him out, so maybe a tree trunk/stump or branch.

 

[RinzHens]

I'm new to chickens but been around forever on the TNR and stray cat issue.

Yes some cities do have leash laws for cats but it is usually a go around to be able to tnr without being sued for spaying and ear tipping someones pet cat.

Generally colony management is free roaming cats that have a designated area to be fed and have warm cat houses available in the winter, usually plastic totes stuffed with cooler foam and straw. Bedding you don't want to use something you have to wash really because its a stinky mess so you rather trash it...like straw. However theres a group called linens for animals that ships donated linens to non profits all over the country. We use them for wildlife because most of it will be trashed after to prevent spread of disease and also the fact that skunk and possum poo is well...gross.

This is a unique situation in that the colony will be contained? Or is this just a sleeping feeding station area?

Cats in our area do not fare well against predators. The coyotes here take out a lot of cats that are more rural. The suburban cats do better with humans around. We are currently implementing a tnr program as til now all we can do is send feral cats off to barns and some areas have given up since they keep losing cats to predation, cars, and nasty neighbors. We had someone poison a whole colony here around a year ago and it was devastating.

You might get the best information posting on some of the tnr feral cat groups on facebook. Feral Friends in Dallas Texas is a big one, Alley Cat Allies is nation wide and could give you design tips for your area. There probably is a tnr group around your area that could help as well. We have quite a few that work together in DFW area.

Alley Cat Allies has some ideas on their site for shelters as well. https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feral-cat-shelter-options-gallery/

 

[PirateGirl]

I'm new to chickens but been around forever on the TNR and stray cat issue.

Yes some cities do have leash laws for cats but it is usually a go around to be able to tnr without being sued for spaying and ear tipping someones pet cat.

Generally colony management is free roaming cats that have a designated area to be fed and have warm cat houses available in the winter, usually plastic totes stuffed with cooler foam and straw. Bedding you don't want to use something you have to wash really because its a stinky mess so you rather trash it...like straw. However theres a group called linens for animals that ships donated linens to non profits all over the country. We use them for wildlife because most of it will be trashed after to prevent spread of disease and also the fact that skunk and possum poo is well...gross.

This is a unique situation in that the colony will be contained? Or is this just a sleeping feeding station area?

Cats in our area do not fare well against predators. The coyotes here take out a lot of cats that are more rural. The suburban cats do better with humans around. We are currently implementing a tnr program as til now all we can do is send feral cats off to barns and some areas have given up since they keep losing cats to predation, cars, and nasty neighbors. We had someone poison a whole colony here around a year ago and it was devastating.

You might get the best information posting on some of the tnr feral cat groups on facebook. Feral Friends in Dallas Texas is a big one, Alley Cat Allies is nation wide and could give you design tips for your area. There probably is a tnr group around your area that could help as well. We have quite a few that work together in DFW area.

Alley Cat Allies has some ideas on their site for shelters as well. https://www.alleycat.org/resources/feral-cat-shelter-options-gallery/