Should we get a barn cat?

[donrae]

Barn cats rock!

Mine have pretty much always stayed around where I feed them. I don't know about relocating an adult cat to a new area, that would be a new one on me. I'd imaging you'd have to secure it somehow? for a few days to let it know where home is.

I've usually free fed mine--a big bowl of food topped off once a week or so. No special water, there's always water for other animals so the cats just drink that. I agree with the cats not necessarily eating what they catch. Maybe they would if not fed, but I really don't care if they eat it or not, as long as they kill it. A bag of catfood's not that much and goes a long ways, so it's not so much a biggie here.

Thinking of it, I have no idea where my barn cats poop. We have a fair amount of ground, and apparently they bury it well because I've not run across it--not since I moved my asparagus bed, anyway lol.

Have you considered getting a dog to hunt your mice? A rat terrier type should clean the place right up. Since you already have dogs, would that be a more family friendly option?

 

[QChickieMama]

Barn cats rock!

Mine have pretty much always stayed around where I feed them. I don't know about relocating an adult cat to a new area, that would be a new one on me. I'd imaging you'd have to secure it somehow? for a few days to let it know where home is.

I've usually free fed mine--a big bowl of food topped off once a week or so. No special water, there's always water for other animals so the cats just drink that. I agree with the cats not necessarily eating what they catch. Maybe they would if not fed, but I really don't care if they eat it or not, as long as they kill it. A bag of catfood's not that much and goes a long ways, so it's not so much a biggie here.

Thinking of it, I have no idea where my barn cats poop. We have a fair amount of ground, and apparently they bury it well because I've not run across it--not since I moved my asparagus bed, anyway lol.

Have you considered getting a dog to hunt your mice? A rat terrier type should clean the place right up. Since you already have dogs, would that be a more family friendly option?

Interesting about dogs getting the mice. Yesterday, I uncovered a nest of mice and one dog was right with me. She got 2 before they all scattered. But they're bird dogs, not exactly supposed to be hunting furry creatures. I've gotten 21 in the last 2 days, so maybe the dog & I can wipe out this infestation ourselves for now.

Glad to hear if we do get a barn cat that they're not much work. I suppose the mice would eat the cat's food, too?

 

[StruckBy]

Glad to hear if we do get a barn cat that they're not much work. I suppose the mice would eat the cat's food, too?

Yes, but I believe my cats think of that as 'bait'...similar to the way hunters will (illegally) put out corn to draw game within easy shooting range.

 

[donrae]

I don't know that I've ever had a bad enough infestation to worry about the mice eating the cat's food, but sure sounds like you do. You might just want to feed day by day at first until the rodent population gets better controlled.

Yeah, I saw you have Spaniels and wasn't sure if they would go after the mice or not---they are hunting dogs but more bird dogs---I've no personal experience with them so didn't know. My moms Jack Russell would keep the furry little thing population pretty much nil at her house and the barn she boarded at. Plus get chipmunks, etc while she was out trail riding. That makes those little terriers my go to thought.

Let us know how things go!

 

[QChickieMama]

I don't know that I've ever had a bad enough infestation to worry about the mice eating the cat's food, but sure sounds like you do. You might just want to feed day by day at first until the rodent population gets better controlled.

Yeah, I saw you have Spaniels and wasn't sure if they would go after the mice or not---they are hunting dogs but more bird dogs---I've no personal experience with them so didn't know. My moms Jack Russell would keep the furry little thing population pretty much nil at her house and the barn she boarded at. Plus get chipmunks, etc while she was out trail riding. That makes those little terriers my go to thought.

Let us know how things go!

I got 1 mouse yesterday but nothing so far today. Once the weather warms up, I'll know if we got 'em all. I hope so!

 

[maxpedley]

My female cat usually brings in about 3 a day not to mention she has to search the fields for them because she has wied out both the mouse, vole and shrew population in the barn. My other cats hunting days are over as he usually wanders off every day looking for a girl. We were riding the horses once and we saw him about 2 miles away from the barn attacking another cat, but he comes back every night just before we lock up.

 

[abbymckinn]

Yes, I would defiantly say to get them! There are tons of cats in shelters looking for good homes!