4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[umbrella thursday]

Hi everyone

 

I'm really worried about our four bantams and a large orange cat that I've seen in our garden. We've had the bantams since March now and they've been free ranging outside when we're in with no problems. I know this cat is pretty vicious as a neighbour has told me so, however we've never had any problems before. Now, twice I've heard them all sqwawking like mad and run out to see him sort of stalking them. I don't know if I've put him off both those times or whether they can see him off on their own. It worries me. There is no way I can be outside with them all the time when free ranging as I have a five week old baby and a two year old and it's too cold. And I hate to see them caged in their run.

 

Does anybody know if I should worry or can they see off the cat on their own? They are two pekins and two wyandottes if that makes any difference?

 

Thanks

[madchickenlady]

I've had similair problems with a neighbours cat I don't believe that a bantam is completely able to defend itself against a large determined cat. I'm planning on getting some prikka strips to put along the top of my gate (where the kitty likes to sit) to deter him, and whenever I see him (or hear the girls!!! ) I rush out there and chase him off. I've also planted a couple of rambling roses against my fence, primarily to deter Mr Fox should he come calling , but I don't imagine a cat would much like to get tangled up in them either ('Albertine' is a particularly rampant grower, with evil 1" thorns )

[Egluntyne]

Why not try blasting him with an icy hosepipe a couple of times. It won't harm him but might teach him to stay away.

 

I had to do it a few times to a ginger moggy a while back. Haven't seen it since.

[C&T]

We have an electronic Cat deterrant in the garden (A bit like the Fox watch, but for Cats). Keeps the two local fascinated kittens at bay, and the chickens don't seem at all bothered by the sound it emits if they set it off wondering around the garden.

 

I wasn't worried about our chickens with the cats, more worried about the cats as so young and enquisitive and chickens have beaks and claws... Had visions of the owners coming round with a vet bill one day...

[helenmb]

I bought a very cheap water cannon from ebay that I keep near the the back door which when fired can reach down to where any non-welcome cats might be.

 

As we have a cat of our own I don't have a ca"Ooops, word censored!"ch deterrent but they hate the water pistol. Its a battery operated one so has quite a range and jet too. He will soon get the message if you soak him a few times particularly if its chilly (don't get me wrong I love cats but sometimes you have to take action don't you!).

[Sandychick]

I would go for a different tactic and watch what happens when the cat is there and only interevene if you have to. I think it is much better to know that they are ok and able to defend themselves than to be on constant watch and worrying about the cat being on the prowl.

 

I think that if the cat was going to attack the chickens, it would have done by now - they don't usually hang about! It does seem to be only very occasional freak cats that actually attack, although it initially looks like a good idea to most.

 

Chickens have a lot of attitude when they need it - my cat is often being chased out by the chickens - never fails to amuse me!

[umbrella thursday]

Thank you all for your advice. I have ordered some of the prikka strips for our fence where the little blighter comes over. May try to observe him some more, although it's very tricky as I can't see the garden from the house - our shed is in the way. Ditto the water pistol although the battery operated one sounds fab - may have to check out ebay.

 

Would love to know he won't attack and that they can defend themselves though - tis such a worry isn't it. We all love our girls and would hate them to get hurt or worse.

[piptiddlepip]

I agree with the post about buying a nice big super-soaker or similar. I have two cats myself and I have had to train them out of other things using water-pistols. It isn't cruel and it does work.

 

Having said that, our four chooks frequently chase our enormous ginger cat. He may be big but he has a yellow streak a mile wide.

[The Dogmother]

I have 12 bantams, plus two hunter cats - they are scared witless of the chooks, as are all the neighbourhood moggies. I wouldn't worry unduly.

[mostin]

Hi there, just wanted to say that I adore all moggies even the evil ones but I would be totally happy for somebody to teach my cat a lesson (using water obviously, not pain) before it did any damage.

 

Maybe if you get your hands on this cat you could carry it up to your chooks and pour a pan of water over it while it is next to them.

 

Other people people may be horrified by this idea, and I appologise for any offence but it doesn't hurt them and they hate getting wet. Apparently my grandad used to do it to all his cats every spring in front of the new chicks, so they would leave them alone.

 

If you only ever see it at a distance get a supersoaker witha good range.

[TAJ]

I have an evil cat that eats birds, including pigeons - he has also had a chunk of feathers from the hens. I find the Omlet netting brilliant as he cannot get through it to the girls.

 

Tracy

[umbrella thursday]

Thank you, all of you for replying with your advice. I think I will invest in a super soaker with a good range - problem is I will have to keep watch as it's impossible to see into our garden from the house - this will be difficult with the babies. Said cat does run off when I come out into the garden, plus I hissed at it last time and it ran off in fright. I would just hate it to get one of the girls. I used to be a cat lover - had three of them at one time but the amount of poo in my garden, on my veg beds and stuff is really putting me off them.