Stray cat...?

[Willowspirit]

We live rurally - and an outdoor cat is a dead cat - the coyotes get a lot of them. Our vet is part of a TNR (trap, neuter, release) program that adopts feral cats to keep barns free of vermin. As they are already feral before trapping, releasing them is a neutral impact on the environment, except that they can't reproduce. Vet recommends not feeding them, so they'll kill vermin in the barn. If they do head out to catch other prey - they tend to disappear.

There is a program like that near us and many others around the country if anyone is interested in barn cats specifically. We can’t decide. I’d rather get a pair of rat terriers for the barn but I simply can’t have more dogs!

 

[AllenK RGV]

There is a program like that near us and many others around the country if anyone is interested in barn cats specifically. We can’t decide. I’d rather get a pair of rat terriers for the barn but I simply can’t have more dogs!

Rat terriers are a sound choice especially if you have a lot of rats. We are fortunate to only have a few and the cat cleans those up. It is amazing watching rats run in on the power lines only to wind up dead on our porch courtesy of the cat.

 

[Peepsi]

View attachment 1954594

Here is what a murderous cat looks like.

He is exactly where he should be. Inside the home, where it is safe and warm, curled up around his favorite human. Indoor cats are awesome, and I've absolutely had indoor cats and will get them again in the future.

It's when you let the cats outside to roam at will, that they turn into little killing machines (which is good to control rodents, and bad for native birds and some of the other smaller non-destructive native wildlife).

 

[Willowspirit]

Rat terriers are a sound choice especially if you have a lot of rats. We are fortunate to only have a few and the cat cleans those up. It is amazing watching rats run in on the power lines only to wind up dead on our porch courtesy of the cat.

We actually don’t have a lot of rats. I just like Rat Terriers.

 

[AllenK RGV]

He is exactly where he should be. Inside the home, where it is safe and warm, curled up around his favorite human. Indoor cats are awesome, and I've absolutely had indoor cats and will get them again in the future.

It's when you let the cats outside to roam at will, that they turn into little killing machines (which is good to control rodents, and bad for native birds and some of the other smaller non-destructive native wildlife).

The bad weather drove him inside but yes he loves that human. I'm the ass in this relationship according to the cat. Regardless my monster is amazing and has lived on a few continents.

 

[AllenK RGV]

He is exactly where he should be. Inside the home, where it is safe and warm, curled up around his favorite human. Indoor cats are awesome, and I've absolutely had indoor cats and will get them again in the future.

It's when you let the cats outside to roam at will, that they turn into little killing machines (which is good to control rodents, and bad for native birds and some of the other smaller non-destructive native wildlife).

I would argue our chicken and poultry are invasives though. I do not know why I keep them but they are cute as heck. I thought they would be good for pest control but do not see our scorpion population dropping by much.

 

[Peepsi]

I would argue our chicken and poultry are invasives though. I do not know why I keep them but they are cute as heck. I thought they would be good for pest control but do not see our scorpion population dropping by much.

I think the difference is that chickens are generally are not allowed to roam the city streets, parks, forests, public lands at will. I know, plenty of people own free-ranging chickens, but I *hope* they're roaming on a large farm with lots of acreage, so they're technically on private property, and not out in the public lands wreaking havoc, or going over into the neighbor's yards without the neighbor's permission.

I see what you're saying, but the scale is just so different. There are feral cats everywhere. I've never been anywhere that did not have feral cats. All of the places I've lived in my life, I've never seen one feral chicken. Speaking strictly of the USA: I know they roam free in Hawaii, but I'm not aware of any other places in the USA where chickens run wild in the streets and forests. Mine are contained within a 8' x 16' coop/run, where they cannot bug the neighbors, or spread chicken germs (LOL) in the wild.

As for the pests... I've seen some threads on here where people swear their chickens take down the tick population considerably, which is good for curbing Lyme Disease. My chooks can really only get to the bugs I give them (I grow Dubia Roaches to help supplement their feed) or whatever small insect can fit in the hardware cloth.

Thanks for this discussion though, it's been interesting. And yes, your cat is adorable.

 

[imnukensc]

Speaking strictly of the USA: I know they roam free in Hawaii, but I'm not aware of any other places in the USA where chickens run wild in the streets and forests.

Key West, FL is full of feral, protected by law, chickens. There are many other places in the US with feral chicken populations, but I don't know if they're protected.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_chicken

 

[AllenK RGV]

I do have a feral chicken that flew in to adopt us. But don't see her as an invasive. BTW I love this signature:
The world is made up of protons, neutrons, electrons, and morons.

 

[Alexandra33]

While there's a possibility your poultry may be at risk here, I don't find it likely. I've owned many cats in my lifetime, and they wouldn't bat at eye at chicks.....let alone fully mature chickens. Starving, feral felines may be another story. (though ferals in these parts leave my birds alone) If you're concerned, I'd try to secure your coop as thoroughly as possible. Cat or no cat, it's always a good idea to keep that flock safe at night.

I've been guilty of allowing barn cats in the past. It's common practice on this road to keep a few for rodent control, since populations abound due to agricultural fields. As dutiful as they proved themselves to be, it didn't stop there. Everything from frogs to wild birds met a painful end. So much carnage. When one of my cats killed a nesting House Wren, leaving its mate confused and devastated, a doting indoor home was arranged. Bird lover that I am, this was the straw that broke the camel's back. Never again. From now on, any and all cats will remain inside.

~Alex