Me vs. wild birds, day 2

[Javamama]

QA, they were going into the coop through the pop door! I have to keep a door open for them. I don't keep feed inside because of mice. Good grief, I think I might have to get a cat, shudder at the thought. You don't like them either, as I recall?

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Cats or wild birds? LOL

I don't care for cats, don't passionately hate them or anything, but they're not my favorite critter. I do tolerate 1 outdoor cat, and more recently we acquired an indoor kitten. Two's my limit with cats, and as soon as the weather breaks, the indoor kitten will be an outside cat, too.

I do like wild birds, just not in my chicken coops or runs, because as you said, they can bring in disease.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Wild birds in the coop. Uggh. Been there, done that. My problem was in the summer though. I was going through a 50# bag of feed every two to three days, what should have lasted 3-4 weeks.

We had two barn cats, that were being spoiled by being fed in our garage. Well, that ended right away. Their food bowl was rehomed to the barn, and my bird problem went away almost immediately, (like in 2-3 days). They are now permanenently residing in the barn, where they are on bird and mouse/rat patrol. I have not had a problem since.

Oh yeah, my birds have not had lice since the wild birds have been gone either.

My choice is obvious--get a cat!!

 

[Javamama]

QA, cats Wild birds are fine as long as they stay outta my coop.
MTN I didn't even think of bird lice! UGH. Now I'm going to obsess about that. Better to be aware, I guess.
If I could figure out how to get a cat to stay around without wanting to come inside, and have absolutely no contact with myself, I would try it. I am allergic. Plus they drive our dog mad. She can handle every other animal we have, but she goes bonkers if she sees a cat. It's so weird.
Thinking out loud here...
We will see about a cat. Maybe in the spring when farm cats are breeding. Would a kitten or a full grown be better? I'm thinking if it was a kitten, then the kids would befriend it and it would be useless to me. A full grown might attack the chickens or rabbit and we couldn't have that either. Cats are so sneaky, I just don't trust them.

 

[miss_thenorth]

I would recommend a kitten--that way it will get used to your barn and kids, dogs, and other critters. A cat will teach a dog a lesson real quick. Dogs learn not to mess with them. Just make sure it has a nice comfy place in the barn, and feed it a bit. and make it your kids responsibility since you are allergic. and get a male, as they are cheaper to neuter than females. Neutering will ensure tht it stays close to home and won't wander off tomcatting around. which in turn keeps the cat healthier ( as in cat fights will lead to abscesses and abscesses lead to alot of work).

 

[kcsunshine]

Cats will take on even large dogs. I had one leave a claw in a big dog's nose. On the other hand, I now have a beagle and a cat - and they both stay clear of my chickens. Those hens put out their wings and start walking toward the cat and it runs. (And he's a big cat).

 

[Javamama]

I wouldn't be worried about the cat injuring our dog, rather inciting her to frenzied state 24/7 It would probably be funny for a few minutes, but not good for the dog's mental health.
We only have a chicken coop, no barn. So I'm not sure it would be good health wise for a cat to live that way - inhaling all that stuff. Do any of you keep a cat in a coop?