Clur Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 A neighbours cat has always sat on the fence to watch the girls and occasionally comes into the garden, but never ventured too far. Since we lost our dog, the cat has actually been stalking the hens. I've chased it out of the garden a few times, and set the hose on it too but it's getting increasingly worse. Earlier on last week Flory was making a worse noise than a cockeral in full throws, but I couldn't see anything. I set the hose off in the bushes in case it was a rat or something, and the cat shot out. Last night I caught the cat about to pounce as the girls were getting into the run. I'm really worried about this - has anyone got any ideas of how to stop it? I know about picka-strips (or whatever they are called), but need to wait until funds allow, and then that's only suitable for one of our fences that's wide enough to take it. Short of sitting out with the girls the whole time they free-range (impractical with two small kiddies), I don't know what to do. Would a cat be successful in taking down a chicken or would the others fend it off? I am worried in case they are caught unawares. Off to buy a supersoaker water pistol today, but any other ideas would be very welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 hi clur, I have two cats and must admit, when they first saw my chooks they went into instant "stalking" mode and would continually look as if they were going to try and pounce. I was really worried, but I have found that my two chooks are more than capable of fending them off, and on a couple of occasions I have seen one of my cats running for it's life down the garden, with two disgruntled chooks in hot persuit. One of my cats is very large too, but now he's got used to the chooks, and knows that they are in charge, he steers well clear of them. Once I even saw Aggie my Gingernut with a mouthful of cat hair in her beak - I know I can't speak for the cat that's coming into your garden, but I would imagine that once he realises these birds are not to be messed with, he'll lose interest. Good luck, Jo xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna_0 Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Hi Clur.. We are finding that we have this problem, we've now had the girls a week, and a neighbours cat has been pushing its paws into the run to see if he could get in (and licking his lips). We started letting them free range on an evening, and he's been hanging around..sitting in the bushes like the one that is troubling you. I too am worrried that if I turn my back he'll have one of them. He succeeded in killing a pigeon and leaving it for us outside the greenhouse. I'm not sure what to do about it other than squirt it with a water pistol. Georgie our cat is terrified of the girls, but he is a bit soft and scared of his own shadow!! I agree.. can anyone help? x -Barbara -Margot 28/07/08 & georgie the Cat x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 We have a feral cat that we rescued from a holiday in the Med and she is an absolute A class hunter and stalker. I was REALLY worried about her with the chickens as she easily brings rabbits home - and squirrels :shock But the other day our Phyllis was out on the lawn and they sort of bumped into each other...and our cat ran a bloomin mile!! (although she will probably tell you a different story 'cos she looked sort of embarrassed later) The hybrids - and I think thats what you have ?- are big enough for a cat to think twice -usually and they do make such a noise that I think a cat would run off. Most cats/chickens seem to have a mutual understanding that if you dont chase me I wont peck!! I havnt heard of a cat taking a chicken down but maybe someone else has that can fill us in. troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 Thanks for the reassurances - I think they make enough noise to intimidate him if they see him. Just yesterday though, they were really unawares he was about to pounce, and I felt sick when I saw him. The girls are hynrids - bovan goldlines. Hope they can hold their own against him if it comes to it, though would rather banish the blighter from our garden than take a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 A blast from your hosepipe every time you see it might do the trick. Cats hate getting wet, but apart from startling it, no harm done. You can get anti cat devices, rather like Foxwatches too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 Yeah, tried the anti-cat sonic type devices, but unfortunately it hasn't worked. Tried different locations etc, but no luck. Will keep with the hosepipe for the meantime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 I have two, large, half bengal cats who will chase and hunt anything that moves. I've had rabbits, pigeons, doves etc. brought in and was also worried when I got the girls. They showed quite a bit of interest in them when they first came, and Ludwig ran at them after about a week. The girls stood their ground and just looked at him and he scarpered. Since that, they all ignore each other. The boys will sit a couple of feet away from the girls but no trouble. Obviously each cat is different but knowing my cats' love of hunting, I'm amazed that they have never tried to take on the girls! Hope it's just a phase for this cat and the novelty will wear off.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 My killer cat thought it was Christmas when the chickens arrived. It is a bit of a worry to watch when they are still a novelty to a cat but mine has realised that she would lose a fight with a chicken. There are some birds that cats very rarely actually attack - it is very rare for a cat to catch a magpie for example. I think the novelty will ware off and probably result in the cat being chased up the garden by a chicken......this never fails to entertain me There are occational freak cats that could do them harm but if this cat was one of those it probably would have done by now. Hopefully you will see the cat running away from the chickens soon and not have to worry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 However, it looks like little Mia is eating a chils Femur! Troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Meant child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 There are some birds that cats very rarely actually attack - it is very rare for a cat to catch a magpie for example. My youngest cat is really tiny, although nearly 2 still looks very kitteny as she is so small and she has caught magpies before, I was shocked, she even caught one and brought it into the house still alive and then let it go in the lounge where it then started flying about, unhurt but shocked! This magpie looked bigger than her. So I was a bit worried about the chickens so kept a careful eye on her when they are free ranging and at first she did the stalking but now she sniffs them and wants to rub them like they are friends, tis cute really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 However, it looks like little Mia is eating a chils Femur! Troy It wouldn't surprise me! It's a chicken bone........sorry for any offence chicken lovers.......my twisted sense of humour forced me to put that photo on. Yolkey, I think your cat wins the 'killer cat award'. I knew someone would have a cat which could prove me wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-J Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 In spite of our dog (who is kepth inside but out would be out in the garden several times a day) we would always have had problems with cats in the garden. I too was very worried when some of the cats were seen in the garden stalking the 2 girls. We tried supersoakers but with no sucess. However I realised a few weeks ago we hadn't seen any cats near and I can only presume that the girls have chased/ stood up to any cats in the same way they do to the dog and they have seen the folly of their ways!! Spike-j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
