The Managing Director Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 So Murdo has gone bowling with work tonight so being left home alone I thought I would try and reestablish a connection with our missing cat, I headed down the garden with cat treats(fresh salmon and corned beef and most importantly no dog) only to be confronted by the boldest most unconcerned fox, he just looked at me as if he thought the treats might be for him, I hissed at him and he casually strolled past the eglu and hopped onto the wall, totaly unhurried I headed back to the house feeling it was time to bring the dog into the picture only to see missing Chaos so I manged to entice him to be stroked and get his collar back on hoping we could have a pleasant few minutes after which he could go own way and maybe decided I was to be trusted again, only turned round to see the fox not 6 feet from me , I hissed at the fox, Chaos freaked, I was left with cat collar and some really nasty scratches and I'm guessing the cat has lost all faith in me, afraid at that point I decided the heavy artillery was needed so sent Flint down the garden with instructions to kill of course this is the dog that on meeting a frog jumps further than it does but lets hope the fox doesn't know that all in all a thoroughly disheartening evening the hens are shut in tonight that's for sure ) interestingly they had all gone to bed except Willow who was letting me know all was not well, so maybe she's not all evil just can't believe how bold the fox was and this is an hour ago so not really dark at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I have to admit that I have started shutting the girls away a bit earlier now that I know there is a higher risk of attack because they have cubs to feed. I have always been quite a fan of foxes until getting the girls and now I have mixed feelings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Managing Director Posted May 11, 2006 Author Share Posted May 11, 2006 I have always been quite a fan of foxes until getting the girls and now I have mixed feelings afraid my feelings have gone past mixed to pretty much outright hostile, the open gash on my arm isn't helping that and nor is the article about a fox killing a german shepherd touch my Flint and there will be trouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I'm tucking my girls in too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I wouldn't take the chance either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I have always been quite a fan of foxes until getting the girls and now I have mixed feelings afraid my feelings have gone past mixed to pretty much outright hostile, the open gash on my arm isn't helping that and nor is the article about a fox killing a german shepherd touch my Flint and there will be trouble I can totally understand that. Like with so many aspects of my life, this forum over the past couple of months has really changed the way I think and live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Me too, I feel the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 I take care to be sure that my girls are all in the run while it is still daylight. Mind you, Fleur is still new to the going in the run routine, and has to be netted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Scary and about cat Need to turf chickens into run I think. Have been watching them go off to bed on their own. Problem is I went out to shut them in and two chickens came out of the eglu to see me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Hmmm. I had a feel under my eglu to see if the fox that was in the garden last night had had a go at digging, and while I can't say for certain, there was definitely loose earth under the nest box area. I've extended the fox-foxing shrubbery and stuck a couple of bricks under there, and I'm going to pop the eglu on slabs at the weekend or sink some weld mesh in just to be certain. Ruddy foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Yes I'm not a fox fan anymore and I just wish people would stop feeding them. Hope your cat comes back by the way, I have a cat who was ferral and she is now far more trusting, give them time. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I love foxes. I admire their intelligence. That does not mean to say I want them going after my girls! Controversially, I know, I dislike cats! They basically do the same thing, but whereas cats kill garden birds which are beneficial to our ecosystem, foxes round here do a grand job of keeping the rabbit population in some kind of order at least. Kill a fox and you increase the rabbit population by over 6,000 rabbits in the first year! SO, back on topic (!) do all you can to make your hens the least available to Mr Fox, and just remember, if they were a teeny weeny bit smaller, you'd be thinking this way about cats too! I'm going to invest in a fowwatch I think. It can't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 afraid my feelings have gone past mixed to pretty much outright hostile, the open gash on my arm isn't helping that the open gash on your arm was from a cat.... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I love foxes. I admire their intelligence. That does not mean to say I want them going after my girls! Controversially, I know, I dislike cats! They basically do the same thing, but whereas cats kill garden birds which are beneficial to our ecosystem, foxes round here do a grand job of keeping the rabbit population in some kind of order at least. Kill a fox and you increase the rabbit population by over 6,000 rabbits in the first year! SO, back on topic (!) do all you can to make your hens the least available to Mr Fox, and just remember, if they were a teeny weeny bit smaller, you'd be thinking this way about cats too! I'm going to invest in a fowwatch I think. It can't hurt. I know what you mean there...I care about foxes but they need to be frightened of humans that's how nature intended it. We have made them tame because 'it's cute' and now that has caused more harm than good in urban areas. I love my cats and yes true they are killers, instinct not their fault as with Mr Fox. There's room for everything but my feeling about foxes is keep away and your fine come near us and our girls and I wish you harm. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Predators get a hard time don't they? If cats didn't kill songbirds would their be anymore. NO! I don't know if you get 'Inside Out' on BBC1 presented by Chris Packham where you live? On my local programme he went to see this chap who had a policy of shooting any predators found on his land. The upshot was that having done a study, there were no more songbirds there than other similar habitats. Whilst I'm not comfortable about the killing habits of some domestic cats, the bird population is prey and has developed reproduction skills to be able to regulate its population. Anybody that has been guilty of leaving a morsal of meat on their plate can be said to be guilty of the same crime - killing without the need to eat the prey. Now I'm sorry this post got a bit heavy but I love my cats and am fed up of the remarks made about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Well said Thalia. My lovely cat died in Feb,& since then we have been overun by mice in the garden. Yesterday I went out to admire my new leyyuce sprouts which were an inch high the day before,to find them all eaten away to nothing. That would never have happened when the mousefinder general was around Cats get a bad press for their hunting & also their aloof demeanor - but that is exactly what I adore about cats. I don't get on with the slavish devotion of dogs at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melcotton Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Oh Cinnamon, the same happened to me and my lettuce is now no more than a nibbled stub. Maybe I'll have to borrow a cat! Mel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I don't get on with the slavish devotion of dogs at all. Respect the cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Although I must point out that Millie our Staffie is an utter sweetie (even if she does worship the very ground The Hubby walks on) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Now I'm sorry this post got a bit heavy but I love my cats and am fed up of the remarks made about them. Thalia - I'm sorry if I have upset you - you have my permission to take my cat posts with a pinch of salt... (which is how they are intended) If I didn't have a pop at cats every now and again, then people would think I was ill... and in the interests of being positive.. You can all keep your cats! - but here's 10 ways to limit their effect on the local songbird population (most estimates say that cats kill 55 million songbirds a year in the UK (sparrowhawks kill many more than that... but, it's still a lot!) Phil TEN SUGGESTIONS THAT COULD REDUCE A CAT'S "KILL" 1. Prevent unwanted kittens. A responsible cat owner who isn't intending to breed them will try to stop unwanted kittens by having the cat spayed or neutered. This may well contribute to reducing the chances of pet cats being killed or injured on roads. Tom cats will wander a very long way and stay away from home for days searching for a female. 2. Fit an elasticated collar with bells. A cat can struggle out of an elasticated collar in the rare circumstances of it getting caught on something. The collar should have more than one bell if possible so they jangle and jingle together. Some of the tiny bells on collars are nearly useless as a warning device . One can fit additional bells to the fastener on the collar with thin garden wire or something similarly strong. 3. Be cat conscious when feeding the birds. If using a birdtable put it in a position that makes it impossible for a cat to jump up on it and also away from overhanging branches. Sometimes putting a birdtable out in the open makes the birds an easier target for sparrowhawks, so if one is plagued by sparrowhawk predation it may be better not to use a birdtable at all if there are cats to consider too. In this case see if one can feed the birds from hanging feeders on the end of wires suspended from branches too weak to support a cat but thick enough to give the birds a chance if a sparrowhawk attacks. 4. Make your cat as comfortable as possible. Although cats are highly independent they respond positively to warmth and affection. According to the Mammal Society cats which are less bored are less likely to do so much killing for pleasure (recreational killing). 5. Fit a sonic collar. The BTO has carried out trials on CatAlert sonic collars. The results showed that in two sample groups the collar reduced predation of birds by two thirds. Further tests are being conducted. 6. Keep your cat in when the birds are having their first feed of the day and when they're going to roost. These seem to be two times when the birds are most vulnerable to cat predation. Obviously trying to do this in the summer months is difficult because of early sunrise. 7. Keep it in at night and provide it with a litter tray. 8. Get a highly visible kitten. Fat, old and lazy cats would be the favourite choice for the birds but this is hardly practicable. Many new cats come into homes as kittens, but if one tries to remember how superbly camouflaged a tabby cat can be compared to one with plenty of white on it, a brightly coloured cat should result in less birds killed during a lifetime. 9. Keep it in during the birds' breeding season from April to July.Adult birds collecting food take risks and young birds just out of the nest are easy prey for cats. 10. Deter cats from your garden and from around your bird tables by planting Coleus canina, (available from Thompson & Morgan, telephone 01787 884141or from your local garden centre). Plant in pots that can be moved about. Cuttings root easily so a couple of plants can soon provide your defences. Protect from frost in the winter in a heated greenhouse - it smells too unpleasant to bring into the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Fit an elasticated collar with bells....Pip had one with 6 bells,all different shapes & sizes.She just learned to move more slowly Get a highly visible kitten.....Do you think I might be able to buy a little yellow workmans vest for my new camouflage colour kitten Sorry Phil, this is all good advice, I just found these bits funny :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Get a highly visible kitten.....Do you think I might be able to buy a little yellow workmans vest for my new camouflage colour kitten ll: you could paint her..... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I always give my mother a row if I catch her feeding the birds in my garden as it is just encouraging my murderous little beasts Mind you I do feed the pheasants accasionally but I think they are big enough to stand up to the cats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 I think Buffie has hit the nail on the head really: Have cats by all means, but I am sure all of you guys do what you can to limit their potential to kill birds. More importantly, we need to spread the word about not feeding foxes to the people who think its fun to tame wild predators. They need to remain in fear of humans and human habitation. Unfortunately, I think its too late for many of our towns and cities now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacky Posted May 12, 2006 Share Posted May 12, 2006 Totally agree with you Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
