Mama Cat eating baby chicks?

[new chick family]

We had a mama and 11 baby chicks that were 1 1/2 month old in what we thought was a safe stall in our barn. 2 chicks were missing day before yesterday? We thought possibly a snake because there was no evidence. We have one female cat at the barn that was spayed 8 years ago and she has never messed with the chickens. 4 weeks ago the neighbors cat had kittens in our barn. They do not bother to spay so stray cats are a constant problem. I ask around and found people willing to take the kittens once they are weaned. Tonight we went to feed and coming out of the gate was the mama cat with something in her mouth. As we approached I could see it was one of my little black chicks. The only way we could possibly find she had gotten in was to climb the rafters and we had been putting plenty of food out for her. As we entered the barn we found 3 more dead chicks in front of were she keeps her kittens. She had pulled the gut out of them but it didnt apperar she had eaten much of them? Has anyone else ever had trouble with a female cat before? Any suggestions on what we should do. I have always heard that when a dog kills a chicken he will come back for more. Is this true for cats? We did take her and her kittens back to the neighbor because they are not eating well on their own. He left them on his front proch and she has already taken one of the kittens back into our barn. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

 

[yotetrapper]

Strays are vicious killers. once they killed one they will be back for more without any doubt. Tell your neighbor the problem and inform him if he doesn't resolve it you will. Then either take the cats to a pound (in the unlikely event you have a pound that will take them for free) or put them down yourselves.

That... or lose all your chicks.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

In a heartbeat they will. Best bet is to take your mama hen and her babies and move them somewhere the cat can't get to them since the neighbor won't be responsible and take care of the cat and her kittens.

 

[Miltonchix]

Neighbors dead cat killed 23 of mine at one time. Just slaughtered 'em and left 'em.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

put them down yourselves.

that is nasty.

 

[yotetrapper]

Quote:
that is nasty.

Maybe to some. In many states, this one included, if a cat is uncollared and roaming unrestrained they can be shot. They are considered feral, and unprotected by game laws.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

well it still isnt right. I dont care what the law says. That poor cat isnt being taken care of, and having litter after litter.

new chick family: I would take her and her kittens to a no-kill cat rescue, so that they can be properly taken care of, since their owner isnt doing that, and mama cat can be spayed and her kittens spayed and adopted.

 

[speckledhen]

I would take her and her kittens to a no-kill cat rescue, so that they can be properly taken care of, since their owner isnt doing that, and mama cat can be spayed and her kittens spayed and adopted

Unfortunately, those are not available in all areas, so it can be easier said than done.​

 

[yotetrapper]

<< I would take her and her kittens to a no-kill cat rescue, so that they can be properly taken care of, since their owner isnt doing that, and mama cat can be spayed and her kittens spayed and adopted.>>

Oh I would prefer to do that as well. But here we have 3 shelters, one of them charges $75 per cat to take them there, the other two charge $125. Can't afford to pay that money just to have them put down anyways. We have one no-kill shelter, but they only take dogs... and they charge to take the dogs as well.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

well, I would find a no-kill shelter, I wouldnt just kill them.