How to make a yard/barn cat "chicken safe"?

[CTPhil]

We've never had a cat that was a threat to our poultry. We once had a feral cat living in the barn that ended up killing every rat on the farm, but he never bothered a chicken.

 

[boomer1025]

TomCat Bait Chunks at TSC is your friend. I buy it in the 4 or 5 lb pail and feed the little critters all they want year around. It's weather proof and works.

 

[Western]

The "few" times I have had a cat alongside chickens, we never had much of a problem, of course we had more land then for "roaming". There where a couple of times one would go after a "chick", but usually the hen took care of that pretty quick, left alone the chicks would have been toast.

 

[creekbend]

As others have stated, some cats are good rodent killers and some aren't. In retrospect, the same goes for dogs or people, in that everything or everyone is different to a degree. Modern cats evolved from former larger species of primeval predators. They still possess inherent hunting qualities utilizing stealth and speed to capture and kill their prey. You will still have to feed and water the cat that you pick, because it is doubtful that it will be able to survive mainly on rodents;etc. Consider this point. If a cat is really hungry, the cat may choose to regard those chicks and fowl as supplements to its diet. As others have stated, the mother hens will take care of their young and will usually provide adequate protection. You should have no concerns at all in regards to the geese. You shouldn't have any problem. Just go get a cat that you like and go from there. A cat can still be treated as a pet and still be an avid mice killer. Another suggestion? It would definitely be a good idea to get a cat that is fixed, unless you want to have kittens and eventually cats that will in due time outnumber the geese, chickens and fowl that you presently have. Best of Luck. Just go ahead and "Get Er Done".

 

[MossflowerWoods]

TomCat Bait Chunks at TSC is your friend. I buy it in the 4 or 5 lb pail and feed the little critters all they want year around. It's weather proof and works.

Boomer1025,

Will the chickens/ducks/guineas eat thes poison baits??

Thanks,
David

 

[300UGUY]

Boomer1025,

Will the chickens/ducks/guineas eat thes poison baits??

Thanks,
David

Chickens will eat anything. BTW, my cats have never shown any interest in the chickens. Small birds, yes, but chickens are just too big.

 

[Egon]

In days long gone most farmers had chickens. There were also cats around. No damage to the poultry except for coyotes, owls and hawks.:thumbsup:

A well fed cat will make the best mouser.

 

[JD230511]

TomCat Bait Chunks at TSC is your friend. I buy it in the 4 or 5 lb pail and feed the little critters all they want year around. It's weather proof and works.

I agree!!! I Put them in the barn and well house( think mice was getting in the house that way ) haven't seen a mouse in months

 

[MotorSeven]

I had the same problem before getting a mouser. I would go to the pound and get two different kittens from different litters(odds are better that one of them will be a good mouser). Feed them out at your tractor shed/barn and sooner or later they will "discover the mice"
We have two new pound kittens in training by the older cat. They like to take a run at the chickens every now and then just to get the squawking reaction. So far they have not tried to catch one.

 

[moored4]

Boomer1025,

Will the chickens/ducks/guineas eat thes poison baits??

Thanks,
David

I don't have birds at my place but do have cats and dogs and MICE. So to make sure that I keep those I care about safe and to provide the Mice a healthy diet I made them some mouse feeders out of some scrap tubing with washers welded on the ends so that the mice have a safe :laughing: place to eat! I place these by the side walls of the shop and at the side of the steps in the grage. :thumbsup: