Cat Deterrent

[KnittyNorah]

yep - terrible creatures - the number of birds killed by cats every year is massive - in the millions.
Long plagued by cats crapping on my front lawn, I returned from a trip away recently to find a mass of feathers - some poor bird obviously had met its end.
Pretty sure I know the guilty cat - from two doors away - it sits on a small wall looking for victims - it won't look me in the eye after I gave it an accusing stare.
Rather makes you wonder about those certain women of a certain age who like nay worship the creatures.
Will follow this thread with interest for suggestions, the bloodier the better.

From the RSPB, who do know rather a lot about British wild birds (more on this page)

Despite the large numbers of birds killed by cats in gardens, there is no clear scientific evidence that such mortality is causing bird populations to decline. This may be surprising, but many millions of birds die naturally every year, mainly through starvation, disease or other forms of predation. There is evidence that cats tend to take weak or sickly birds.
...
It is likely that most of the birds killed by cats would have died anyway from other causes before the next breeding season, so cats are unlikely to have a major impact on populations.
...
Those bird species which have undergone the most serious population declines in the UK (such as skylarks, tree sparrows and corn buntings) rarely encounter cats, so cats cannot be causing their declines.

 

[a.twiddler]

A few years ago we had some hens which had the run of our enclosed garden and we had no problems with cats -they used to chase them off during daylight hours and there was no sign of cats returning at night. Hens tend to be a bit messy but are top predators in their own way. One of the benefits of having hens was that all kinds of birds felt safe enough to come into the garden so it was interesting to watch them.

 

[Reynard]

I returned from a trip away recently to find a mass of feathers - some poor bird obviously had met its end.

Far more likely to be a sparrowhawk than a cat.

Rather makes you wonder about those certain women of a certain age who like nay worship the creatures.

Hello! Cat show judge and CP volunteer checking in.

Will follow this thread with interest for suggestions, the bloodier the better.

I also fence all three weapons - foil, epee and sabre.

 

[a.twiddler]

We used to regularly see a sparrowhawk which would use a corner of our garden to eat its victims and there were never more than a few feathers left by the time it had finished. It was a bit unsettling, but it was a very impressive bird. Cats are a bit more fussy and leave a lot behind -or take their prize away and deposit it as a present for their human.

 

[GuyBoden]

From the RSPB, who do know rather a lot about British wild birds (more on this page)

I read that RSPB article a while ago, please don't ignore this part of the article.

"Gardens may provide a breeding habitat for at least 20 per cent of the UK populations of house sparrows, starlings, greenfinches, blackbirds and song thrushes four of which are declining across the UK. For this reason it would be prudent to try to reduce cat predation as, although it is not causing the declines, some of these species are already under pressure."

 

[fossyant]

I read that RSPB article a while ago, please don't ignore this part of the article.

"Gardens may provide a breeding habitat for at least 20 per cent of the UK populations of house sparrows, starlings, greenfinches, blackbirds and song thrushes four of which are declining across the UK. For this reason it would be prudent to try to reduce cat predation as, although it is not causing the declines, some of these species are already under pressure."

You don't like cats do you. Humans are responsible for 99.99% of bird reduction.

 

[grldtnr]

You don't like cats do you. Humans are responsible for 99.99% of bird reduction.

Humans are mainly responsible for keeping cats ,so ergo , 100%,!
I like cats, but don't keep one, far too many around me, it's unfair on a territorial animal.

 

[GuyBoden]

You don't like cats do you. Humans are responsible for 99.99% of bird reduction.

I've always liked and preferred cats as pets, we've had cats as pets since I was a child, kept them mostly indoors and a bell on their collar. Owners need to be more responsible, keep their cats indoors or install fencing that prevents them from leaving the garden.

I was stating the RSPB article:

"Gardens may provide a breeding habitat for at least 20 per cent of the UK populations of house sparrows, starlings, greenfinches, blackbirds and song thrushes four of which are declining across the UK. For this reason it would be prudent to try to reduce cat predation as, although it is not causing the declines, some of these species are already under pressure."

 

[a.twiddler]

When someone invents fencing that "prevents cats leaving the garden" they will make a fortune as it would also prevent cats entering the garden too. A cat with a bell can get round that, as when being very stealthy they can move slowly enough that the bell doesn't sound. Although they have weaknesses such as no road sense, it's fortunate that they haven't developed opposable thumbs or they could have become the Master Race. They've already trained humans to feed them, provide a warm home, and pick up their poo. What next?

 

[fossyant]

I've always liked and preferred cats as pets, we've had cats as pets since I was a child, kept them mostly indoors and a bell on their collar. Owners need to be more responsible, keep their cats indoors or install fencing that prevents them from leaving the garden.

Many owners aren't responsible, but have you tried to keep a cat indoors ? Very difficult, or indeed within a garden due to cat's agility. We had no problems with one of our old cats as she could only jump a foot or so.

We've 3 pedigrees and a rescue with cat flu, so the rescue does need to stay 'in' to not pass the virus to non-vaxxed cats. We've an extensive cat run that the cats access out of an open conservatory window, that has a 1.5m x1.5m x 3m pen on one side, various mesh tunnels under an arbour, along the back fence and down to a large 2m x 2m x 3m enclosure over the fence. They are quite happy with it, but it's a fair old investment in time and money to make it.

We've looked at the garden fencing that retains cats, but you basically need a 5-6 foot fenced garden with nothing the cats can jump on, then install the 'roller' system on top. It's also incredibly expensive.

 

[Mike_P]

Had a bird feeder in the back garden for years but a neighbours new cat jumps so high it was simply a waster of time tempting birds to a cats dinner so its now lying on its side behind the shed..

 

[a.twiddler]

A taller bird feeder?

 

[GuyBoden]

Many owners aren't responsible, but have you tried to keep a cat indoors ? Very difficult, or indeed within a garden due to cat's agility. We had no problems with one of out old cats as she could only jump a foot or so.

We've 3 pedigrees and a rescue with cat flu, so the rescue does need to stay 'in' to not pass the virus to non-vaxxed cats. We've an extensive cat run that the cats access out of an open conservatory window, that has a 1.5m x1.5m x 3m pen on one side, various mesh tunnels under an arbour, along the back fence and down to a large 2m x 2m x 3m enclosure over the fence. They are quite happy with it, but it's a fair old investment in time and money to make it.

We've looked at the garden fencing that retains cats, but you basically need a 5-6 foot fenced garden with nothing the cats can jump on, then install the 'roller' system on top. It's also incredibly expensive.

Excellent, you are obviously a very responsible cat owner.

 

[fossyant]

Excellent, you are obviously a very responsible cat owner.

And the fact the cats were expensive - who pays money for a cat ? You get one and pop a good donation to Cat's Protection. Thing is, if you've got house cats, they need outdoor or other stimulation. Given a choice, the two lads would be outside all the time - i.e. not in the cat run. We're lucky we have a porch, Leo waits till you are carrying stuff, then dives past you.

 

[Reynard]

When someone invents fencing that "prevents cats leaving the garden" they will make a fortune as it would also prevent cats entering the garden too. A cat with a bell can get round that, as when being very stealthy they can move slowly enough that the bell doesn't sound. Although they have weaknesses such as no road sense, it's fortunate that they haven't developed opposable thumbs or they could have become the Master Race. They've already trained humans to feed them, provide a warm home, and pick up their poo. What next?

There are are several cat-proofing systems available commercially - katzecure is one of them. They often have a stand at some of the larger all-breed shows.

Not difficult to DIY either, using metal brackets and wire mesh.