There's a bobcat trying to get my chickens( 4 days now)

[Asriix]

Today I confirmed that a Bobcat is trying to get my chickens.
In broad daylight (10am), it's coming at the chickens in the chicken run.

It's been scoping out the coop for 2-3 days and today was the day it actively tried to attack. I only caught a glimpse of it yesterday, barely. But today it was out in full force.

I have a little dog that I'm afraid might get hurt when she goes out to potty.

I don't own a gun or traps or anything and I'm not sure how to take care of this problem at all.

What can I do? I'm terrified!

 

[3KillerBs]

My first thought is electric fence.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

 

[Percheron chick]

I had most of my flock wiped out by a bobcat while locked up in the coop. They are cunning and resourceful predators.
If the coop is 100% predator proof, lock them up. Don't even let them out in the run. If you have to, throw them in a dog crate and put them in the garage. Might take 2-3 days for him to move on. The dog is just as vulnerable as the chickens so he only goes out to pee on a leash. Loud noises will help. Bang on pots, firecrackers, pop guns...even a lawnmower might help drive him off.
Contact your state wildlife department. They will give you good advice and they might come help drive him off.

 

[Asriix]

I had most of my flock wiped out by a bobcat while locked up in the coop. They are cunning and resourceful predators.
If the coop is 100% predator proof, lock them up. Don't even let them out in the run. If you have to, throw them in a dog crate and put them in the garage. Might take 2-3 days for him to move on. The dog is just as vulnerable as the chickens so he only goes out to pee on a leash. Loud noises will help. Bang on pots, firecrackers, pop guns...even a lawnmower might help drive him off.
Contact your state wildlife department. They will give you good advice and they might come help drive him off.

While in the coop?? That's horrifying! It's been a few days already I think, maybe 4 days if I count the night by dog went crazy barking. So I hope it will go away soon.

While I was flipping out, my sister called an animal control guy who is going to help us trap the cat. But for safety, I'm locking them up. Hopefully it will be enough!

 

[Percheron chick]

He squeezed through the 6" gap between the rafters and the roof. Climbed straight up a solid wood wall multiple times removing the dead chickens. Found him up in the rafters with a pile of feathers.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

1) Where are you??? Laws regarding *how* you can handle wild predators trying to take livestock vary. First, know the law - then decide whether to abide by it or take your chances with the consequences.

2) Depending, Animal Control *may* be willing to take care of the issue for you - no need for you to hunt, trap, etc. There may be others locally who rehome wild animals encroaching on livestock as well. My neighbors relocate wild hog tearing up properties, for instance.

3) Going to have to up your predator proteciton long term - you can't always be there to watch it happen.

 

[McChooky]

With a little creativity you can make your own insulators and put an electric fence around your yard and coop in a day.You will need to bait it to make them test it .Some things you can't put a price on.

 

[cmom]

It won't go away and will keep lurking looking for an opportunity. I agree that electric fencing or wires are the best defense. I have seen bobcats around here. I did eliminate one that killed 14 birds one night. I have seen others since. They don't mess with my electric wires. I noticed Howard E did convert this thread into an article that was mentioned in a previous post in this thread. This is his thread on electric fencing. A treatise on Electric Fencing. Good luck...

These are my wires around my coops and pens and nothing has penetrated them I see a predator on at least one of my cameras most nights when they roam here. I also have some good heavy duty netting covering my pens and concrete under the gates all due to losses from predators in the past. If anything touches the hot wires, they will know it. My fence is also grounded so if anything touches the wires and the fence they will get a good zap that will hurt. But that is the idea. I want them to hurt so they will get the message that whatever is on the other side isn't worth getting zapped for. When people get birds they will be eventually discovered by predators.