fujcube Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Hi all, Just recently, our neighbour's cats have started to take more than a passing interest in our hens. Tonight was the last straw, I looked out my sitting room window just in time to see Maisie, our Light Sussex, heading out through our gate and onto a busy road. Shortly followed by one of the cats in question!! I had suspected that all was not well as our hens were not so keen to go out their coup into the garden. I would greatly appreciate all your advice on what I could do to minimise the risk from the cats or better still, keep them away from my hens permanently!! Regards, fujcube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joza2210 Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I dont have a clue how you would keep the cats away permanently ... But i know this sounds horrible but it works for foxes and i have found that it also works for cats because i used to always have cats roaming around my garden and the chickens used to go mad ... But ever since i done this i hardly get any cats or foxes ... The thing i use it wee ... Out of a human or a dog ... Hope this help abit Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Our neighbourhood cats learned the hard way not to mess with my girls. A severe pecking showed them who was boss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujcube Posted June 25, 2010 Author Share Posted June 25, 2010 A severe pecking! After reading about the chickens that killed the fox, I'm forever hopeful!! My chooks have had the run of the garden since we first got them last October and I really don't want to shut them in because of the cats. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzagerkin Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 we have 4 cats and 3 hens in our garden and have never had a problem the cats keep out of the hens way!but the cats do sun bathe on the coup roof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I think if the hen can get out of the gate, I'd take steps to secure it. I honestly don't think there is much that you can do to deter cats, but my experience has been that they are scared of the hens - they may express an interest, but once they've had a good telling-off with some flapping and squawking, they don't venture near again. I would be inclined to let them get on with it, it's possible that if you intervene each time then the cat never gets that lesson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 100% with Olly. Make your garden secure...I'd be more worried about roads than cats. A chicken can fight a cat but it can't fight a car. We've had a Bengal type cat showing a lot of interest in the girls...all the other cats went "Oooo what's this? ....WHOA!!! SCARY!!" except this one...so while this Bengal was licking his lips from above their pen, we threw a bucket of water over him. Haven't seen him for weeks now. Get a super soaker water pistol...and wait. You won't need to do it too often until they learn. Other than that, you can get things to stop cats climbing your fence (little rubber spikes that stick to the top of the fence...painless when you press your hand on it but to a cats delicate little paws...they hate it) leave strong smelling citrus scents in locations they enter the garden (or products such as "Get Off!") as cats hate citrus. A cornered chicken will hold its own against a cat...they have big powerful feet and claws and a deadly aim with the beak...cats look for easy prey, not a fight. Do not assume the same about the fox. You must be vigilant against them!!! But get that garden secure...no more chickens trying to cross the road and see how it goes!! ...something that'd solve the whole problem is to get a large walk in run for them...safe and secure 24/7! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Plant marrigolds. They smell horrible to cats. Also strange hens tend to turn on cats. Our bantams do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Water gun! Pecking from the chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Yes, I'd deal with the problem of the chickens being able to get onto the road. Our cats are all scared of our chickens who are quite able to look after themselves. They don't like some of the "foreign" cats that occasionally visit, but they can still make them run pretty fast if they get too close - better than our own cats who are all big wimps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prof Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 get yourself a cat! that will keep all the other cats away i have 3 cats and when they are about there is never another cat in sight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujcube Posted June 27, 2010 Author Share Posted June 27, 2010 Thanks for the replies. My garden is secure and the hens do have a large secure run. The hen only managed to get onto the road because one of our neighbour's kids left the gate open (another issue to be addressed!! and it's their cats!) I think I will leave them to it and see what the outcome is, but I will be standing guard with the fully loaded Supersoaker! Regards, fujcube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 I do have a cat problem (one being my own evil cat) - I find they do not try and venture into an omlet netting area - this keeps the chickens and cats separate and seems to do the job here. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
