2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[DeborahP]

My new neighbours cats are stalking my hens. What can I do. For ten years they have free ranged..... So annoying. Cats seem to have the keys to every city and village per say! Any advice out there? (

[Cat tails]

My neighbours cat also often has a go at my hens. But luckily my own cat hates him thoroughly and will chase him of. My little protector!

A water pistol will do wonders though. Or if you can manage, a bucket of water.

[gavclojak]

I have to say I wouldn't fancy the cats chances against an irate hen!!!!

 

Cats will usually have a look but decide the pray is a tad big but I guess if a cat can get to them so can a fox so I would be careful...

[Cat tails]

I have bantams and Red the cat will corner them. Now they will start calling as soon as he appears on the fence and my super cat will fly into action. They are wary of iPoes, but not very scared.

[Olly]

A good point above regarding foxes - if your hens are somewhere that a cat could get them, then they are vulnerable to foxes.

 

In my experience a hen will see off a cat with a bit of flapping and squawking, they don't usually come back for a second go.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I have a new 6ft fence along the edge of my hens' freeranging area and so now have cats parading along constantly looking down at them. I reckon they realise they wouldn't come off best so never do more than look. The hens all stop and stare but don't seem bothered.

[mullethunter]

Our big bruising ginger tom has changed his route around the garden so he doesn't have to go next to the fence and risk getting too close to the terrifying bantams!

[DeborahP]

Thanks All for great responses. I've had the hens for ten years and had a fox attack twice, I can live with that risk. The 'new' neighbourhood cat only arrived last month, he started his reign of terror yesterday. He has been back this morning for a second 'go' . I have had a really 'nice' chat with his owner who says he's a timid cat!!!And she is getting hens soon and has the coop already. She has shut the cat in.... I am grateful,not sure where we can go with this but at least we can relax again for a bit. We have other cats who come in but they don't mess with the hens. My dogs are trained with the hens. Calm for a bit but don't know how long....

[Valkyrie]

I think once she gets her own birds the cat will suddenly understand that it is not a good idea and do the same as Mullethunter's local moggy and keep away!

After a neighbour's cat attacked my girls she kept away but only because I caught her behind the greenhouse with the hosepipe. She had quite a good dousing. Others have come to look but the girls kick off very loudly (I can tell because the wild birds are also yelling) but none have ever gone for a closer look. Sadly Millie does like to try it on occasionally. However since Squirt has gone into "I hate you" mode I think the girls will be fine. I saw Millie the cat rolling around with Squirt - and discovered that the cat had already pounced on my maran and quite possibly coughed up a feather ball at some later date! No marks on the maran - she's very well covered! I guess Squirt was probably saving Tipsy.

[cloud]

Never seen our cat actually get as far a pounce, but I would not expect every cat to be so well mannered as ours. I've seen some very aggressive un-doctored tom cats that would certainly have a go, and even our cat if backed in to a corner by an aggressive hen would resort to fight if the flee option is removed.

 

However, our cat's do keep other cats out the garden. So getting a cat yourself might be a solution (ideally a male cat). Our two might also be helping with the fox menace a little. I doubt they would put off a fox attack but they might act like an early warning system and alert us when there's something in their territory, such as another cat (or fox). Only works when they're not asleep of course, but they are most active in the twilight at both ends of the day.

Edited September 4, 2014 by Guest

[JellyBean2605]

My cat had a go at my boss chicken once, she fluffed herself up, opened her wings like a hawk and lowered her head to glare at him! He backtracked so quick I'm surprised he didn't get whiplash! OH got freaked out too!

[Cat tails]

BTW: If the cat needs to climb over a fence to enter your garden, nail clipping might be another solution. I'm incredibly dedicated in clipping the nails of my cat. Mainly to keep her from hurting herself (she is a scratcher) but also to keep her in the garden.

If your neighbour's cat doesn't have sharp nails, climbing a fence might be more difficult.

[Valkyrie]

Jellybean!

 

Wish I could have a cat. Hubby has banned them. Until our next house when my rules come into play. And I'd like a dog too.