Should I try and kill this bobcat?

[The Buffest Orpington]

This is the second year my chickens have been attacked by a local bobcat living in the woods behind out house. We like to free range our chickens, even though we only do so in the afternoon to cut down on the amount of time they're vulnerable. Last February the cat took Meridah, our favorite chicken, who was as sweet and affectionate as I've ever seen.

This year the cat is back at its old hunting ground (our back woods). Just last weekend my wife literally saw the bobcat through our window carrying one of our chickens in our side yard, and I ran out and chased it off in time to scare it away and make it drop the chicken. She's currently recuperating (I coated her generously with Neosporin and Vetermicyn for several days), but she's still not using one leg and I'm concerned about whether she'll make it.

A second chicken seemed to have fled from the cat and seemed largely unharmed at the time, but is now seemingly in shock, refusing to eat or drink much at all, and seems too weak to walk (even though she literally ran 100 yards back to the coop when we finally found her hiding under a log right after the attack).

I'm worried about these two chickens and their chances at recovery, and I'm frankly pissed at this cat. This is the second year it's been killing and harming our chickens, and now the chickens can only free range for a couple hours a day (if they're lucky and we have time to directly supervise them).

So I'm wondering - should I try and kill this cat? I called the state and they said they won't do anything, and that I'm not legally allowed to trap the thing without a trapper license. However, I have the rifle for it and I'm legally allowed to kill it.

But I'm interested in some other opinions on whether this would be morally or ethically justified to do. I understand predators have a right to exist too. But don't my chickens deserve to free range as well? How many animals do these cats bring a terrifying, agonizing death in their lives? Hundreds? Thousands? I'm starting to feel I owe it to my chickens to remove the threat and allow them to live and free range in broad daylight again.

So what do you all think? Should I try and kill the cat, or just let nature takes its course?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I have thought about this a bit because my parents live in a fairly rural area. The problem with free ranging in a place with predators is that you're kind of leaving the picnic basket out for the bear. If you kill this bobcat it won't stop others or other predators from coming back. My parents have horrible bear problems from neighbors literally feeding the bears (like off their grill on the back porch. No joke. People are jerks). Now that those neighbors are gone there is a huge issue with bears accustomed to humans. You are obviously not doing the same thing but it will be back and another will take it's place if you shoot it. Its a difficult balance and I come down on the side of saying for the good of your birds and the wildlife, no, your birds shouldn't get to free range. I know that's not what you want to hear but its the conclusion I have reached after many years watching my parents deal with predators.

 

[McChooky]

I have thought about this a bit because my parents live in a fairly rural area. The problem with free ranging in a place with predators is that you're kind of leaving the picnic basket out for the bear. If you kill this bobcat it won't stop others or other predators from coming back. My parents have horrible bear problems from neighbors literally feeding the bears (like off their grill on the back porch. No joke. People are jerks). Now that those neighbors are gone there is a huge issue with bears accustomed to humans. You are obviously not doing the same thing but it will be back and another will take it's place if you shoot it. Its a difficult balance and I come down on the side of saying for the good of your birds and the wildlife, no, your birds shouldn't get to free range. I know that's not what you want to hear but its the conclusion I have reached after many years watching my parents deal with predators.

It doesn't take long to feel the sting when the predators teach their offspring to hunt our chickens too.I learned when a predator got my dads favorite hen not to raise mine like his.

 

[Smileybans]

This is the second year my chickens have been attacked by a local bobcat living in the woods behind out house. We like to free range our chickens, even though we only do so in the afternoon to cut down on the amount of time they're vulnerable. Last February the cat took Meridah, our favorite chicken, who was as sweet and affectionate as I've ever seen.

This year the cat is back at its old hunting ground (our back woods). Just last weekend my wife literally saw the bobcat through our window carrying one of our chickens in our side yard, and I ran out and chased it off in time to scare it away and make it drop the chicken. She's currently recuperating (I coated her generously with Neosporin and Vetermicyn for several days), but she's still not using one leg and I'm concerned about whether she'll make it.

A second chicken seemed to have fled from the cat and seemed largely unharmed at the time, but is now seemingly in shock, refusing to eat or drink much at all, and seems too weak to walk (even though she literally ran 100 yards back to the coop when we finally found her hiding under a log right after the attack).

I'm worried about these two chickens and their chances at recovery, and I'm frankly pissed at this cat. This is the second year it's been killing and harming our chickens, and now the chickens can only free range for a couple hours a day (if they're lucky and we have time to directly supervise them).

So I'm wondering - should I try and kill this cat? I called the state and they said they won't do anything, and that I'm not legally allowed to trap the thing without a trapper license. However, I have the rifle for it and I'm legally allowed to kill it.

But I'm interested in some other opinions on whether this would be morally or ethically justified to do. I understand predators have a right to exist too. But don't my chickens deserve to free range as well? How many animals do these cats bring a terrifying, agonizing death in their lives? Hundreds? Thousands? I'm starting to feel I owe it to my chickens to remove the threat and allow them to live and free range in broad daylight again.

So what do you all think? Should I try and kill the cat, or just let nature takes its course?

Many will tell you that if you kill it another will take its place. This is true. My sister had a huge raccoon problem on her property and she just kept killing them. But they would always get into her hen house and kill her chickens. No matter how many she killed they always came back.

I had a bobcat in my back yard. Caught it on camera before I moved my chickens down to the back 40. Into the bobcats territory. My property is small so I was able to fence in the whole property. Deterring most of the predators that came our way. My hot wire also stopped them from entering the run with the chickens. If you want to free range your chickens you always run a risk of them being killed. Protect your flock how you see fit. I personally would not kill the bobcat. My flock doesn’t free range as it is though. But if I did I might use electric netting or a tractor. I know it isn’t the same but it’s somewhat safer and you can’t rotate them unlike a run.

 

[McChooky]

Don't free range and you won't have to kill predators. They'll hunt.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I have thought about this a bit because my parents live in a fairly rural area. The problem with free ranging in a place with predators is that you're kind of leaving the picnic basket out for the bear. If you kill this bobcat it won't stop others or other predators from coming back. My parents have horrible bear problems from neighbors literally feeding the bears (like off their grill on the back porch. No joke. People are jerks). Now that those neighbors are gone there is a huge issue with bears accustomed to humans. You are obviously not doing the same thing but it will be back and another will take it's place if you shoot it. Its a difficult balance and I come down on the side of saying for the good of your birds and the wildlife, no, your birds shouldn't get to free range. I know that's not what you want to hear but its the conclusion I have reached after many years watching my parents deal with predators.

Agree. It is not reasonable to expect the bobcat to change its ways. Killing it will open the door to another preditor claiming the territory, so it’s up to you to act in the best interest of your flock.

Do a risk/ benefit analysis. Start by determining why you have chickens (pet, hobby, meat/eggs, business, etc.
Next ask why it is you free range?
? Health of flock, diversity in free, reduce cost of feed, happiness of flock, etc.
Weigh all of that against the risk of loss for whatever reason. Determine best solution for any risk that outweighs benefit. If you free range for the sake of giving the flock freedom and happiness, then begin logging how this latest attack impacts them over time. Are they changing their behavior, less eggs, not ranging far, premature molts?

Myself, I raise as a hobby for personal enjoyment. I live in Uber- preditor land from land and sky. I want my chicks to be happy so I will keep them confined for protection. Free ranging in my situation would not offer a greater benefit, so I plan to grow fodder, provide an in run compost for bugs, etc. electric fence.
My town has an annual preditor hunt to lessen the popular of bobcat, coyote, etc. every year a cat is taken in the same areas.. every year. I have a pack of coyotes that den on my property every Spring.. they can’t get my chickens tho.

Good luck to you

 

[svh]

Shoot it.

 

[fuzzi]

This is the second year my chickens have been attacked by a local bobcat living in the woods behind out house. We like to free range our chickens, even though we only do so in the afternoon to cut down on the amount of time they're vulnerable. Last February the cat took Meridah, our favorite chicken, who was as sweet and affectionate as I've ever seen.

This year the cat is back at its old hunting ground (our back woods). Just last weekend my wife literally saw the bobcat through our window carrying one of our chickens in our side yard, and I ran out and chased it off in time to scare it away and make it drop the chicken. She's currently recuperating (I coated her generously with Neosporin and Vetermicyn for several days), but she's still not using one leg and I'm concerned about whether she'll make it.

A second chicken seemed to have fled from the cat and seemed largely unharmed at the time, but is now seemingly in shock, refusing to eat or drink much at all, and seems too weak to walk (even though she literally ran 100 yards back to the coop when we finally found her hiding under a log right after the attack).

I'm worried about these two chickens and their chances at recovery, and I'm frankly pissed at this cat. This is the second year it's been killing and harming our chickens, and now the chickens can only free range for a couple hours a day (if they're lucky and we have time to directly supervise them).

So I'm wondering - should I try and kill this cat? I called the state and they said they won't do anything, and that I'm not legally allowed to trap the thing without a trapper license. However, I have the rifle for it and I'm legally allowed to kill it.

But I'm interested in some other opinions on whether this would be morally or ethically justified to do. I understand predators have a right to exist too. But don't my chickens deserve to free range as well? How many animals do these cats bring a terrifying, agonizing death in their lives? Hundreds? Thousands? I'm starting to feel I owe it to my chickens to remove the threat and allow them to live and free range in broad daylight again.

So what do you all think? Should I try and kill the cat, or just let nature takes its course?

It might not be a male bobcat. If its a female and you shoot it, what will happen to its kittens in the den?

I have feral cats on my property. I utilize TNR (trap neuter release) because if I just kill or remove the cats others will move into the territory. I feed "my" ferals and do what I can to limit their bird predations.

For the safety and security of your flock it might be best if you don't let them free range.

 

[mowin]

If you free range, your taking a risk of loosing a bird. Lots of woods and lots of predators in my area. My backyard is fenced. Dogs help keep critters out, but every now and then the possibility of a chicken dinner is too much temptation and I'll get a critter in the fenced in area. Could I hot wire the fence, sure, but I don't want the expenses of doing so, nor do I think it's my responsibility to do so.

That said I shoot every predator that is actively trying to get my birds. Sure there will be others, and they will be eliminated too.

 

[GingerRose]

Shoot it.

Yes. Shoot it and all the other ones that come. They are not on any endangered list.