Ring Tail attack

[Norseman]

Lost my flock of hens to a ring tail cat. Killed all of them in one night. I’m making adjustments to my coop and pen but curious if anyone knows whether or not a roo could fend off a ring tail.

 

[rosieredbantam]

Lost my flock of hens to a ring tail cat. Killed all of them in one night. I’m making adjustments to my coop and pen but curious if anyone knows whether or not a roo could fend off a ring tail.

honestly not sure if the roo can but I can tell you that I have a cat living in my chicken yard he keeps the hawks away to a degree and my bantam roo beats the crud out of my cat and he is a big boy for sure...now that being said my white leghorn roo could care less what the cat does in the yard...so I think it may depend on your roo's attitude

 

[sylviethecochin]

Welcome to BYC!

Most roosters function very well as alarms, and they are more alert than the hens. But it's a very rare rooster who will actually fight something off.

I recommend a dog.

 

[Norseman]

honestly not sure if the roo can but I can tell you that I have a cat living in my chicken yard he keeps the hawks away to a degree and my bantam roo beats the crud out of my cat and he is a big boy for sure...now that being said my white leghorn roo could care less what the cat does in the yard...so I think it may depend on your roo's attitude

Welcome to BYC!

Most roosters function very well as alarms, and they are more alert than the hens. But it's a very rare rooster who will actually fight something off.

I recommend a dog.

Thanks for the input

 

[Norseman]

honestly not sure if the roo can but I can tell you that I have a cat living in my chicken yard he keeps the hawks away to a degree and my bantam roo beats the crud out of my cat and he is a big boy for sure...now that being said my white leghorn roo could care less what the cat does in the yard...so I think it may depend on your roo's attitude

Good point

 

[Howard E]

As I understand it, your "ring tailed cat" is not really a cat, more like close cousin of a coon......pictures and description make it appear much like a hybrid between a coon, fox and weasel. That ain't good.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring-tailed_cat

As for a rooster being any help? Probably not. Wiki says RTCs are nocturnal, so attacks come when everyone is on the roost and helpless. So best and only defense is the same as most.......a tight coop that repels all boarders and nothing, absolutely nothing can get in to cause harm once the birds go to roost and the coop door slams shut.

As for trapping that one, if they will eat dry cat food, you might try a dog proof trap on them. Otherwise, a live trap with tuna fish, sardines, etc.

If you do set traps and catch one and it is nursing, that would present an ethical dilemma.

 

[happyfrenchman]

I was not at all sure what a ring tailed cat is, (Thanks for the link) however I do know that a Rooster could not fend off a predator that could kill all your hens.

 

[Norseman]

As I understand it, your "ring tailed cat" is not really a cat, more like close cousin of a coon......pictures and description make it appear much like a hybrid between a coon, fox and weasel. That ain't good.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring-tailed_cat

As for a rooster being any help? Probably not. Wiki says RTCs are nocturnal, so attacks come when everyone is on the roost and helpless. So best and only defense is the same as most.......a tight coop that repels all boarders and nothing, absolutely nothing can get in to cause harm once the birds go to roost and the coop door slams shut.

As for trapping that one, if they will eat dry cat food, you might try a dog proof trap on them. Otherwise, a live trap with tuna fish, sardines, etc.

If you do set traps and catch one and it is nursing, that would present an ethical dilemma.

I am not at all sure what a ring tailed cat is, however I do know that a Rooster could not fend off a predator that could kill all your hens.

I was not at all sure what a ring tailed cat is, (Thanks for the link) however I do know that a Rooster could not fend off a predator that could kill all your hens.

 

[lazy gardener]

No ethical dilemma regarding a nursing female IMO. Those babies will grow up to kill the next flock. Yes, the thought of the babies suffering is unpleasant. If I had an inkling where the nest was, I might call a rehabber to come get them.

A roo is just as helpless as his hens after dark.

 

[Norseman]

It’s in the coon family but is more like a weasal. Weigh a couple of pounds. They’re qick, can climb, and squeeze through small spaces. Howard E made a good point with them being nocturnal, they attack when the birds are sleeping so a roo won’t help. The ring tail didnt eat anything, decapitated 3 of themjust killed them. I’ve heard that they kill for fun like weasals do. Im reworking my pen. He came in frim the tree tops