Unique stray tom cat predator situation

[Liberty Nursery]

I have an unwanted stray male tom cat who seems to have moved into my yard. He hides from me under the deck, in my lumber shack or anywhere I can not see him. When I am inside and the chickens are locked up he is sitting over their run waiting for them to come out as if they can come out without me letting them out. He has already taken one of my leghorns and turned her into a meal. So as of right now the chickens are only out in the run when I am working in outside on my nursery.

I completely respect the fact that most people would kill a predator like this, but I can not because I am very fond of cats. I would even respect the fact that someone may kill my cats if they were killing some ones live stock. I would be upset but not vindictive or anything like that because its natural to protect your livestock in such a manner.

One solution I thought up was a humane trap, but I have 2 cats of my own that may get into it. To solve that problem I am going to set the trap inside my house and put cayenne pepper in the bait. 1. my cats will associate cayenne pepper with the trap and 2. I will let my cats linger in the trap indoors for an hour, they hate being confined so they will also associate confinement with this trap and this bait. After my cats are no longer interested in the bait in this trap I will put it outside for the stray.

Of all the predators out there cats are the hardest for me to handle because I really like cats.

Solutions I have shot down.. getting a dog.. nope, don't want something I need to train, don't like dogs enough to have one.

I am considering letting the neighbors dog hang out in my backyard, he barks at my cats when he gets out and comes into my yard but my cats ignore him. Cats can be cool that way. They think dogs are subhuman and humans are subfeline. If he can't chase off my cats then the stray might not be chased off by him either.

I would love to hear other suggestions, or any other similar tales involving cat issues.. or other predators with the same type of situation.

 

[countrygoddess]

The live trap sounds like the best idea. Can you keep your cats indoors for a day or so until you can catch him? They may complain at not being able to go out, but at least you know they won't get trapped...

 

[Liberty Nursery]

My cats have informed me that I am not allowed to keep them inside, they did this by digging up the linoleum in my kitchen right at the door the one time I tried. Cats are in charge, if you do not believe me ask a cat. As I was starting this reply my male cat came in the cat door and started tugging at my the pant of my leg, I got up and he went right outside where the stray was sitting on top of the coop. The chickens are safe when the coop is locked up so all is well, had to run it off for the 5th time in 24 hours.

This is the first cat I have ever seen act like this, usually they are apathetic to human concerns. Too bad I fixed him because this is a trait that should have been carried on. His mother was fixed after he was born and as with most cats no one knows who his father is.

 

[Bush Chickens]

Aw,you have a good kitty I have way too many

 

[24279102]

If you don't want to dispose of him then feed him. If he's not hungry he may leave your chickens alone!

 

[sourland]

If you don't want to dispose of him then feed him. If he's not hungry he may leave your chickens alone!

This worked for me. I have been adopted by a FERAL cat who initially thought that my pigeons should be her next meal. I would have box trapped and euthanized her, but she is trap shy - probably a trap/neuter/release. In my opinion this can be a misguided program. I started feeding her, and she now ignores my birds, and as a reward to me has eliminated the vole population in my flower beds.

 

[Eggsoteric]

My cats have informed me that I am not allowed to keep them inside, they did this by digging up the linoleum in my kitchen right at the door the one time I tried. Cats are in charge, if you do not believe me ask a cat. As I was starting this reply my male cat came in the cat door and started tugging at my the pant of my leg, I got up and he went right outside where the stray was sitting on top of the coop. The chickens are safe when the coop is locked up so all is well, had to run it off for the 5th time in 24 hours.

This is the first cat I have ever seen act like this, usually they are apathetic to human concerns. Too bad I fixed him because this is a trait that should have been carried on. His mother was fixed after he was born and as with most cats no one knows who his father is.

Keep your cats confined for a few hours during the day; set the trap near the chicken yard with a towel over it and some yummy tuna as bait. If the Tom is hungry enough, shouldn't take much time or effort to trap him. I only set traps during the day if I want to capture ferals; if you leave the traps set at night you take the risk of catching other critters.

 

[txnative]

Maybe you can squirt him with a water hose set on strong jet.

 

[settingdusk]

Use urine, peppar spray, coffee grounds, I use all these to keep cats out of my yard. I don't believe in keeping cats outside unless they are ratters.

 

[Mattemma]

Befriend it then take it away if you don't want it. A cat enclosure is a good option for pet cats.Many people are like me and get rid of roaming pets without question.Best wishes.