Cat deterrent- 1st post!

[Josh Marshall]

Hi
I’m new to the forum - I’m having issues with a couple of cats that get into the run. They stress the birds but from what I see haven’t made an attempt to take them. Do cat electronic frequency scarers work? The frequency that repels cars often cross over to scaring birds. Anyone used them? And are the chickens effected?

 

[Marigold]

Hi Josh, and welcome to the Forum.
How do the cats get into the run? Presumably over the top of some kind of mesh or netting, because the run isn't roofed, and is perhaps near to a fence or something they can scramble up on? Or maybe under the netting, if it's not buried in the ground? I can't help feeling that if cats can get in, nuisance thought they may be, your birds are at risk of far worse happening to them. Have a read of some of the threads in the Pests and Predators section near the bottom of the Index page, and you'll see how foxes can pop up anywhere and clear out all your chickens in a very short time, if you haven't got a secure run for them. Several of our members on here have had devastating losses, and we wouldn't like that to happen to you.
Your post seems to suggest that you keep the hens in the run all or most of the time, so if that's the case, then improving run security will solve the cat problem, as well as helping to prevent something far worse. How big is the run, how many birds do you keep in it, what materials is it made from, and does it have a roof?

 

[Icemaiden]

Hi Josh & welcome.
I'd echo everything that Marigold's just said. You're fortunate that the cat has shown up before a fox or badger. :shock:

 

[LadyA]

I've heard of the occasional case of cats killing chickens, but I don't think it's common, is it? I know all the cats I've had have been absolutely terrified of the chickens!

 

[rick]

Hi Josh,
High frequency "scarers" produce an sound that is above most peoples hearing (a few people can hear up to 20Khz but for most 16-18Khz tops.) Children can hear in a higher range and so, very dubiously, it was tried as a deterrent to stop kids hanging out on shop fronts etc. Thankfully that idea didn't get very far.
Obviously the noise produced is wavering and discordant in a very annoying way to animals that can hear it.
Chicken hearing goes up to about 9Khz and so if we cant hear it neither can they.
For smaller birds that have high frequency components to their song - they probably could.

 

[bigyetiman]

Welcome to the forum Josh.
Not sure how high your run is, but if a cat can get in it so can other animals, like the other members I would get it covered before a fox discovers it.
I knew of someone who used a cat scarer, it claimed it would keep cats, squirrels, rats in the garden at bay, it worked at first then the animals just seemed to ignore it and the squirrels were never deterred

 

[Tweetypie]

What about electric poultry fencing? That should keep all cats and foxes out and the hens in. Because it is made of mesh, you could perhaps use it as a roof aswell? Just a thought....but I think it is pricey.