Stray cat- Dangerous Killer?

[BabyGirls]

We just noticed a new fairly mature black stray cat yesterday. It is now hiding in our barn and agressively meowed and hissed as we entered the barn trying to find it but couldn't see it. It also marked it territory as we noticed the strong smell of urine.

We are worried about our girls being dinner for it or hurt at all. They are bigger birds (about 6-8 years old + a large female turkey). We have noticed that it watched them at a distance but don't know if a cat will attack a larger bird or not?

Please advise as we are worried for them or should we be? Thank you so much in advance for sharing your experience or stories to help us.

 

[silkiechicken]

I've got like 4 strays. Never had a problem with them but never know what a desparate cat will do.

 

[speckledhen]

Just depends on the cat. I had a stray cat come around my place for about three years and killed mice and such. I never could get near it, but after a year or so, I began putting food out for him. He'd meet up with one of my chickens in the bushes and she'd cackle and he'd run the opposite direction. He disappeared this year and I miss him making his rounds every night. Now, I would never trust any cat around chicks-too tempting, too easy.

 

[seminolewind]

The neighbor's "pet" strays came to visit my rooster one day, and he attacked them, and they never came back.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Depends on the cat...

Rocky, the crappy neighbour's long hair tried to catch Obelisk and Slifer beat the snot out of him. I had patches of striped fur all over the back yard.

Then there's Taffy, the neighbourhood cat. He herded my birds into the rabbit hutch that I was using as a coop and wouldn't let them come out until the other cat was gone.

 

[rooster-red]

As a general rule a cat won't attack a grown chicken, unless it is starving.

 

[jjthink]

Having worked with many kitty ferals.....

If you don't mind, offer it food (dry kitty crunchies in a bowl will do, along with a fresh bowl of water changed at least daily if you can). It is probably hungry and may be injured (and/or cold), seeking shelter. In all likelihood it will opt for the kitty food and will not bother the feathered ones - they're too much trouble. If it's cold where you are, and you wouldn't mind, place a cardboard box (about twice a kitty's size more or less) on its side in your barn out of the wind with opening facing a wall but with room between it and the wall so he can get in and out but feels protected and place straw in it so he can snuggle and get warm (in lieu of straw, a fleece blanket is fine). Food and water in a separate spot that you know he will be able to find but that isn't in the thick of activity where he would be afraid to go. The hissing - he's just scared, worried, out of sorts and feels like it's him against the world right now.

Sounds like he needs to be neutered but for the moment, just calming him down with food and friendly greetings will go a long way toward eventually making him more approachable.

One of my feral rescues was as hissy and ferocious as you can possibly imagine. In time with a patient man and an arrangement exactly like this he morphed into a trusting gentle loving mushball of fur

The transformation was stunning. Beautiful, really. This man now can cradle this former suspicious wild being in his arms. Also, once they understand who comprises the family (be it chickens or other) they will not harm that being (but don't try this with baby chicks as I'm not sure they can resist those!)

JJ

 

[dbjay417]

My cats are strays. their pets now, cause we feed them and stuff, but they were born and raised without masters. The two oldest cats and the one that is MIA never paid any mind to the chickens, the kitten that showed up after tommy went MIA plays with the chickens and chicks. He runs through the flock when their foraging, he seems to enjoy the carnage. Also when hes competing with the birds for lizards, he will swat them with his paws, but i've never seen any real aggresion. In fact earlier the cat and birds were layin around under a banana plant together. it was unusual and amusing.

 

[Wildsky]

We have the neighbors cat come and visit now and then, but he is more interested in our garage which harbors mice and other interesting things!

 

[claud]

Probably not. Little chicks though would be too much temptation I'm afraid.