[kirstie1978]

Hi everyone

I'm sorry to see that my last thread ended up going as it did. I wanted to thank those of you who put forward some interesting suggestions of things i've never heard of. The only concern i have with the sound ones is that i myself have a cat! So i wouldn't want her (although an indoor cat) to be affected by it.

Unfortunately Last night the cat managed to kill my hand reared baby thrush i had let loose a couple of weeks ago. So yeah i'm not really sure where to go from here. I went and saw them to ask if it had just caught him... errr yes was the answer... how much did you pay for him? So sadly not going to get very far. I know the other neighbours have spoken to them and nothing's changed so i'm just another one to add to the list. She's said i suppose i'll have to get rid of the cat or you the chickens... well have a feeling that'll be a stale mate! I'm not getting rid of my animals...

In any case i wanted to just update you and i hope that my bantams are strong enough to cope should i not be watching... until i can find something that works as garlic cat spray, orange peel, water from the jet blast doesn't work! Nor do the spikey things as my neighbours have tried them along with various sprays apparently! Appears between the lot of us we've cleared the cat repellent market!

So any suggestions that would be safe for my aviary and chickens and won't harm/upset my house cat are gratefully received, but please not a repeat of the last thread!

[andy and deb]

if you live near a zoo or wildlife park ask them for a sack of lion or tiger dung .. and spread it round the edge of your garden ..

[Kenilworth]

People hey! I really cant understand some people's attitude to others

They wouldn't by any chance be in a Local authority property or similiar? perhaps complain to the relevant authority about the trouble that their catis causing espicialy if backed up by other neighbours?

[Kenilworth]

if you live near a zoo or wildlife park ask them for a sack of lion or tiger dung .. and spread it round the edge of your garden ..

yes, thats what i was thinking as well.  i understand you can buy a similiar product from garden centers as well, i know it as tiger poo but it may well be branded differently.

[kirstie1978]

I'm not sure if they are or aren't they're a very strange family and their attitude certainly shocked me. i was upset but it has made me angry, especially as 5 seconds later he was back out in my garden, despite the promise of keeping him away for now!

I have enquired about the tiger dung, i have some on order, although sadly could have arrived sooner! I am at the point of desperation, i can't keep my chooks cooped up all day as they're used to the free run and it's my garden so isn't fair!

[kirstie1978]

I'm contemplating a dog now.... not sure as would need one as a puppy i'd imagine so that it's good with the chooks and cat and other animals etc.
I'd be interested to hear who has what and found good with all. I would love a flat coat retriever but i know that hounds and lurchers and hunters as well as retrievers no matter how good they can be do have the genetic build up to chase/catch/retrieve etc

[Kenilworth]

My better half had a lurcher as a teenager it was supposedly the most timid of animals that would shy away from almost everything.

That was till they came home one day to find that half dozen baby bunnys had got into their back garden from next door and judy(the lurcher) had killed the lot To be fair they still dont know if this was deliberate or just play that had gone wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kirstie1978]

I love lurchers having had a rescue, but am well aware that they are chasers and although the most timid and lovely dogs, it's a different matter with birds, cats and squirrels!
I really would rather have a larger dog, but think i'll ave to consider settling for a medium to small one. I'm trying to research but any ideas and suggestions are gratefully received!

[brick22]

I think getting a dog just to scare off the cat may sadly not be the answer, if you get one that chases cats it may well go for your chickens as well. My dog is not supposed to be a hunter but races around up the woods looking for squirrels & rabbits, when you get a puppy you have no idea what personality it will one day have. Flat coated retreivers are beautiful dogs but need so much exercise, the same with the working type breeds, if they are not exercised mentally or phsically they can become very bored and very destructive. Maybe a rescue dog that has come from a family with pets may be a better alternative as their personality may be more developed.
Do you have any friends that own dogs that you could perhaps borrow for a weekend or longer (offer to look after when they go on holiday)?  I have a dog but I would never leave her out in the garden when the chickens are free roaming so if a cat got into the garden when the girls were out she would be useless as she would be inside.
Its such a difficult situation and I really hope you can find a way to stop the cat before something happens again. Good Luck...x

[kirstie1978]

Having been injured in a car accident i have not worked for 10 months and it looks like my nursing career may well be over due to the injury and the pain medication. I am not suggesting i get a dog to chase the cat, as i have one myself! It is a case of the cat being scared of a dog being a possible advantage... i am looking to get one as a companion since the aftermath of the accident leaves me without my partner and only my chickens, birds and cat! So I was hoping it would give me a reason to get up in the morning and get me out an about! Should the neighbours cat be scared of it then that's all the better!
So I'm just kind of adding it onto this thread as an extra i suppose! (just thought i'd clear that  up in case of confusion!)
My parents don't ahve a dog at present, but should my situation change and i am in a position to do some work, they would be able to take 'it' (as much as i hate to refer to a dog as such it has no name or sex yet!) and so it would not be left alone for any long period of time (one of the reasons i have not gotten one beforehand)

So hopefully there will be a few breeds that people have that they find better... i was thinking a pup as then it would be easier for my cat who is used to being (apart from the birds) the only one in the house and cats tend to be more adaptable to puppies than grown dogs (that was my understanding although i appreciate with animals there is no hard or fast rule!)

[jinty1911]

I live in a council estate that is surrounded by cats.  I also have 3 banties, 4 rabbits and a Pomarian bitch.  The Chooks and rabbits ignore her but the cats are terrified.  The slightest hint of a cat and the dog goes mental.  I have seen a couple of cats sitting on our 8ft wall watching the chickens and as soon as the dog starts screaming the cats scarper  She is also a very good lapdog and sleeps on our bed. 

[kirstie1978]

I have had to chase the cat out 3 times tonight and the aviary was very unsettled. Luckily i locked the chooks in early!!!
I think it's going to be a dog.... it is so unresponsive to any preventative measures.... and as the owners just don't care... i really don't know what to do.... grrr!

[bantam novice]

Hello Kirstie,
I would be wary about getting a rescue dog as they could have developed behavior problems that can be difficult to manage or change.  

I think a puppy would be a better idea as you can develop its behaviour as it grows up.  It sounds as if you will have the time to be with the pup.  

Each breed has its pluses and minuses and a good trawl of the internet will help with this.  I have a Jack Russell Terrier and I love him to bits.  He is now used to the chickens and the cat.  So much so that a few weeks ago he was down in the hens area and one of my hens had flown over the electric fence and was happily scratching in the vegetable patch.  He completely ignored her.  That said I would never consider leaving him alone with the hens.

Good luck, keep us posted and don't forget the pics  

[kirstie1978]

Having worked up a sanctuary for a fair few months i am in agreement with you on getting a rescue as much as i'd love to it wouldn't be fair on the cat and birds initially and would require alot of socialisation.
I am considering something like an american eskimo perhaps... i prefer unusual animals, but might end up settling for a golden retriever or lab...

[smud6ie]

Was it on GW that I saw them testing lion dung and it was cr@p
The best cat deterrant I have used is the heron water jet with a pir sensor

smud6ie