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Original poster

please help! neighbours cat stalking chickens

25 replies

carmenelectra · 10/03/2014 10:09

Hello

We have a cat ourselves who doesnt bother our hens and happily sits nearby them.

However next doors cat is a menace. I let chickens free range as much as possible but its near enough impossible unless I watch them like a hawk. Cat kn garden several times a day chasing hens and they are scared and run back up towards the house. I leg it out with a spray bottle of water but never seem to catch it. It doeant seem bothered anyway. It also terrifies our rabbit too.

Ive tried spraying citronella which didnt help although it was rainy at the time. Any other suggestions?

I feel this cat will get one eventually particularly as it has killed several large pigeons, one only last wk. No birds comein the garden now due to this awful cat.

OP posts:
Bangonthedoor · 10/03/2014 12:24

Hi carmen it's so difficult when you have a cat yourself as you can't really use any other deterrents such as lion poo pellets or an infra red sensor thing. We have both of those and next doors cat still uses our garden as a walk through but literally runs as doesn't want to hang around! Therefore I don't feel our hens are threatened in anyway. This works for us as we have no other pets for these deterrents to bother.

Does it visit your garden frequently?

Original poster
carmenelectra · 10/03/2014 12:58

Yes comes several times a day, every day. Lives next door but seems to make a beeline for our garden. Either sits down garden on the fence or in the bushes. Then when chickens out it chases them. I hear this scared squawking and dash out.

Im frightened that its a matter of time before it kills one.

What the hell.are.lion poo pellets?!

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 10/03/2014 13:13

what do you use to protect them from foxes during the day?

Bangonthedoor · 10/03/2014 14:12

Lion poo pellets are literally that! They are dried pieces of poo. The theory behind it is that it's something to do with the smell that scares cats/dogs/foxes like a warning smell.

You can look them up online, we got ours online Smile

Original poster
carmenelectra · 10/03/2014 17:23

They are kept in a run whilst we are out. I only let them loose when we are in.

To be honest think cat abigger threat than foxes!

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 10/03/2014 17:33

yes, but I was thinking a fox-resistant run mighty also be cat resistant.

Original poster
carmenelectra · 10/03/2014 20:03

Oh yes sorry!

The run is cat proof too. They are totally safe in there. Its just when im home I let them out as much as possible. The cat doesn't seem to hang around much when they are in the run but as soon as they are roaming its bloody relentless.

OP posts:
Original poster
carmenelectra · 10/03/2014 20:06

Oh and I wasnt being sarcastic sayingbthe cat is a bigger threat than foxes. Its just im sure there are foxes but the bloody cat is here all the time.

At least we can take precautions with the foxes. Cant seem to keep the cat away.

Im thinking we are going to have to keep them in the run unless im physically outside with them.

OP posts:
Bangonthedoor · 10/03/2014 21:01

Maybe just test it. Let them out when you are home but stay in the garden with them the whole time they are free ranging and see what the cat does whilst you are there? The other thing you could do is throw the odd stone...sorry cat lovers it's not as harsh as it sounds! Water clearly isn't making a difference and maybe picking up a very small stone might cause enough of a pang that it won't come back, not enough to cause damage obviously! Oh god...I'm going to have to name change aren't i?!

PigletJohn · 10/03/2014 23:57

perhaps a big aggressive cock would chase the cat away, and peck at her tail as she scampered?

mummymeister · 12/03/2014 17:31

Sorry Op but now the cat knows they are there it will keep coming and keep chasing unless you take steps to deter it like the lion poo.

Original poster
carmenelectra · 13/03/2014 09:03

Thanks.

I might try stones. I am a bog animal lover but I have to protect my own. I have tried banging on the fence with a big stick.

It seems a friendly cat in all other ways so not massive label bothered by me. It doesnt hang arounf if we are outside though and certainly doesnt go neqr the hens.

I think im going to have face facts that im going to have to pen them in more for peace of mind.

OP posts:
TypicaLibra · 13/03/2014 12:47

How does your neighbours cat get through the hedge/fence? Could you secure the boundary better with chicken wire or something?

NigellasDealer · 13/03/2014 12:49

have you thought about setting up a snipers post in the bathroom window or similar? an air rifle would be fine, just maim a bit not kill.
(joking before anyone accuses me of animal cruelty)

chemenger · 13/03/2014 12:52

Nigella, you may be joking but those of us who have had cats shot by air rifles and maimed don't laugh along with your rather feeble jape.

chemenger · 13/03/2014 13:12

If it was my cat stalking the chickens I would be quite happy for you to spray him with water, or chuck small stones at him (unless you are some sort of super-accurate high speed stone thrower and you would hurt him rather than startling him Smile). Mind you he's only little so I suspect that, while he would stalk them, if a chicken turned round and looked at him he would be off like a shot.

PigletJohn · 13/03/2014 13:33

I would be happier with a water-soaker. A stone in the face will do no good to the cat. But you would have to be consistent.

A cat is not being naughty or aggressive in stalking prey animals, it is a natural hunter. A cow is not naughty or aggressive when it eats grass.

I still think it would be warned off by a fierce and aggressive bird, if you can borrow one.

Original poster
carmenelectra · 13/03/2014 18:36

Nigella I have said a million times that im gonna shoot the bugger!As if I mean it tho. God I wouldn't hurt an animal. I understand how horrific it would be to have a pet killed. I just want to scare it off for good.

Kind of a bit pissed off that the neihjbours havent heard all the commotion and come outside and called the cat in or something.

We have a 6 foot fence separating our garden but their cat jumps on a wall in their garden and then over the fence. I did consider some kind of wire along the top. Wouldnt bother our cat as she doesnt go far and never over their side just in the opposite direction.

Of course its not being naughty but its frustrating. I think I need a super soaker and if I get lucky and manage to to squrt it then im sure it will bother it mpre than the spray bottle im using.

piglet I dont know anyone with a cockeral. Wish I did.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 14/03/2014 00:11

It is one of my very few regrets that I didn't thump a man who hit my cat with a thrown stone when I was standing nearby. I'm going back 20 years or more.

Bangonthedoor · 14/03/2014 06:10

Going from all the other comments the best thing you're going to have to do is but a super soaker and put chicken wire at the top of the fence!

chemenger · 14/03/2014 09:23

I have been known to throw a handful of gravel at my own cats if they are doing something I don't like, to distract them, I am without doubt the worst thrower of missiles in the world, "throws like a girl" would be a compliment to me, so the cats were quite safe. (Now I have both cat lovers and feminists down on me, how much deeper can I make the hole I have dug for myself?)

Quite another thing to accurately lob a sizeable stone.

PigletJohn · 14/03/2014 10:09

If you are inaccurate, you might throw intending to miss, and not.

chemenger · 14/03/2014 12:53

That's why I always throw to hit, knowing that guarantees I won't! I have lived with cats for over 50 years and have not hit one yet. But seriously, to keep the cat away from chickens I think the super soaker is the solution, although I do have a cat that doesn't mind being wet I think even he would notice being hit by a jet of cold water.

I just want to reassure PigletJohn that I no longer live in a house with gravel, so my gravel chucking days are over. Now I just shout at them, which they are more than happy to ignore.

Lovesswimming · 15/03/2014 17:59

I really would look hard into borrowing a cockerel, start asking around. It really would work. A cat we used to have was a great hunter, kept the wild rabbit population in the back field down and we had no rats near the chickens. After a day of the chickens being new he was not interested in them. Though I don't let mine out of their 10metre or so run as next doors terrier dog would eat them and she does come through a lot.

Tardigrade · 25/04/2014 16:44

I have 7 hens & 3 cats - one of the cats is a real killer (including grey squirrels and wood pigeons) When he first showed an interest in stalking the hens I would hold one up near him & then lower or 'drop' her quickly (still holding her!) This makes the hen flap and it terrified him. I did it a few times and it really put him off. Every so often I do it as a reminder, but the hens now shove him out the way to get to the cat food... Grin

The other thing to try is to get some agreeable male to pee round the boundary of your garden as it marks the territory & puts off cats & foxes.

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