alion Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 In the last few weeks there has been a new cat about town. I think it's a Bengal cat. It's a beautiful creature but far too interested in the chickens. It's clearly a kitten as it's bigger every time I see it. It's in our garden 5-6 times a day and spend all that time on our eglu run. Our girls are old and no longer laying but well loved and spoilt family pets. We lost one two weeks ago and the other is now alone. This cat is so aggressive. We used to allow the girls free range of the garden whenever we were home, but every time I let them (her) out within 10 minutes I'm chasing off this cat. I have to supervise her constantly and if I take my eyes off her for a second (I have a newborn and a toddler) it'll attack. The poor girl has been in her run almost constantly over Christmas. Is this it? Can we never have chickens loose in our garden again unless we're with them? Our girls chased off an interested kitten when they were young, but this cat is much bigger and much more persistent. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 I don't believe if has to be it. But if it is really a Bengal, it will pose more of a challenge than your average moggy. I think there are two main solutions: 1) keep chasing it away, but maybe take some more drastic measures. Think of water pistols, water buckets or even tennis balls (not meant to hit the cat, but just spook it). Anything to chase away the cat over a bigger distance. If it doesn't feel safe in your garden, it will be less likely to hunt your chickens. You might also spook the chickens in the process, but I have found that a bunch of flapping screaming chickens are similarly scary to cats. 2) feed the cat and become friends. This is what I resorted to with my neighbourhood tomcat and he leaves the chickens well alone. He sits waiting at the backdoor to receive is kibble and the chickens don't mind him anymore. I know this sounds as a strange solutions, but it has several benefits. Said tomcat (Red) keeps other cats out of my garden and since he eats there, he doesn't do his business in my garden either. My own cat isn't really happy with the arrangement, as she hates his guts, but he is many times more aggile, smart and faster than my poor dumpy iPoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 I have had Bengal cats for years and they after the first time one of them saw the chickens and decided to try and jump on it and we chased him off and the chicken then fluffed up and looked fierce he never bothered again and the other one she was scared of them and went a big round about way to leave them alone. He just needs to be scared off with a water pistol as stated and he will soon learn to leave her alone. The Bengal gets a bad name for being evil but in fact they are very loving cats and so different - they like to play and fetch and love playing in water. If water pistol fails try and make friends with him, They are actually very loving cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alion Posted December 31, 2015 Author Share Posted December 31, 2015 Wow, I'd never have thought of that! I now have images in my head of having a cat guarding the chickens (and looking beautiful in the process). I've never seen a cat like it in the flesh - it's the most stunning creature, looks like a small leopard. I'll have to do a bit more reading - I read a lot about them being aggressive towards people too and I have two small boys who free range a lot too - feeling a bit nervous about them approaching it if it could lash out. Thank you so much for your responses. I was feeling quite dejected after chasing it off again and having to calm my girl down. I don't feel beaten down as much any more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 I know some Bengals actually don't mind water as much. But food mostly will do the trick. Just buy a packet of treats or a small bag of kibble and you will be friends in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach buttocked Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 I have a large Bengal cat plus two other cats and chickens. My Bengal is very 'wild' as he is only 4 generations from the Asian Leopard cat that Bengals are bred from. Bobble has also tried to have a go at our visiting heron!! My other two cats can safely mix with my chickens but Bobble is much more excited, so he stays outside the run. However he does run up to the string fence. But as soon as the girls spot him and come close to eye him up, he's off up the garden!! Bengals are not nasty cats - most are very human bonded. I will carefully introduce Bobble to my girls and I'm 99% certain he will be the scared one!! I also think making friends with your visitor would be good and see how things develop. Maybe let your girls out when you are right next to them and gradually see how things are with the Bengal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 I think the best option is to feed him and he will be your friend, also if you have a small cosy place for him to stay in. If you have more hens he will be scared of them and they feel safer in numbers. If you can get a big rooster "depends where you live" The other option is live trap and relocate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Steady on Mars, I don't think there's any suggestion this cat is a stray! 'Relocating' it isn't going to be an option. Even a large cat is usually seen off by the hens, I would use a water pistol to discourage him too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Hopefully the water pistol will help and the novelty will wear off. I'd be weary about buying treats and cat food as I wouldn't want my cat to be fed by a neighbour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I somewhat agree Lewis, but I also think that when you let your cat roam outdoors, you don't know what it is eating anyway. And cats on special diets are best kept indoors. If a cat owner makes the choice to let a cat out, you would be very naive thinking it only still eats your food. My neighbours cats flock to me, because I actually have higher end cat food than their owner. He used to feed them only very cheap canned food and no kibble. I convinced him to start using a bit more fancy food and get them to eat kibble as well. Their teeth have improved majorly and the fur of one of the cats too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Please don't feed neighbours cats as my daughters cat was on expensive cat diet food then found out the neighbours were feeding him. She had to put a note into all neighbours to stop and only then did he lose weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I'm pretty certain my Loki-cat networks all the local catflaps, as the only time he eats all his own dinner is when it's been too wet to go out (he's eaten a lot recently!). I'd go with the water pistol to discourage the visitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alion Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 Thank you for all the replies. The cat in question appears to be losing interest - it's been in the garden less and less over the last few weeks and, although we've only let her free range when we're in the garden, there hasn't been another attack while she's out and about. I'm hoping it's not must the cold weather and that it will continue to leave her alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
