Problem with vultures at feral colony

Hello,

We are in south eastern Pennsylvania on eleven wooded wetland acres.

I have permitted a neighbor to care for feral cats on our property. for many years.  Unfortunately 'Mike the Cat Guy' is now very ill.  His wife has taken on the responsibility,  but now  the Vultures have arrived.

I counted close to seventy in the area over the weekend.

I need help and or advice about how to deter these critters.  I know it's suggested  to wait 'till cats have eaten and then remove any leftovers.  Mrs. Cat Guy has tried... but has limited time available. 

Would a low enclosed covered feeding area work?  If so...what dimension?  There are twelve cats and are usually fed in several areas.

Thanks in advance.  ~ Joyce

Hi. 

Thank you for permitting these cats to live and be fed on your property. Have you though about changing the time these cats are fed? Could you fed them in the evening, just after dusk? As I understand it vultures are not a nocturnal bird so wouldn't be out looking for food after dark. You would, of course, have to remove any left overs to prevent other animals coming to feed after the cats are done.

Hi Norachan

Thanks for input.  Yes, Mrs Cat Guy does only feed at night. 

I see her headlights coming down the driveway.  This MAY have helped some... but those birds still lurk all day on the roof of my business, on the ground and in the trees.

I'm surprised none of the neighbors have complained.

Boy, it's always something isn't it?!!! Here it's racoons, and they are a real pain to detour. I would think an enclosed feeding box would work, especially with small openings that a vulture couldn't get in. Make sure you have several openings for 'escape' purposes. We have vultures around here, but they are like the starlings, they are in one spot for a while and then move on. Could yours move on, or are they nesting? Vultures shouldn't hurt the cats, they eat dead stuff, they probably smell the cat food and think it is dead! I hope they move on, and if not, the feeding stations would be permanent. Good luck, and tell us what works!

PAgrandma said:

 
I see her headlights coming down the driveway.  This MAY have helped some... but those birds still lurk all day on the roof of my business, on the ground and in the trees.

I'm surprised none of the neighbors have complained.

Click to expand...

Wow, that's a great image you've conjured up for me there. Your place must look very gothic. 

I'm not sure if this would work with vultures, but some of the farmers in Japan deter Kite Hawks by hanging something shiny from the trees where they roost. A few old CD's or bits of mirror strung together keep them away. I've seen people tie shiny helium balloons to their roof too. I guess that's to keep the birds from perching on the roof.

Hi Di and Bob

Well, we've got coons too...and deer that ate my arborvitae...and of course, what I call 'the flockers'.  The bully birds.

I can't answer your question about them moving on... but they've been a problem since fall of 2013, so fear they are here to stay.

Have been considering wire enclosure instead of solid material.  Not sure which would be more comfortable for the cats.  BTW,  two former feral brothers are now my snuggle buddies.

~ Joyce

Norachan,

Yes, I have read about reflective items on line.  At first, I didn't think it would help my situation....but you know, now that you've brought it up again i think it's worth a try.  Certainly can't hurt.  ~ Joyce

I never thought of wire! That would be better because I know cats don't like closed in places. Tell us how it works!

Don't hold your breath waiting...FIRST, I want to talk with Mrs. Cat Guy... THEN, I gotta talk my son into constructing a practice unit.  

Then I'll be able to let you know. 

Are they eating the cat food, or have they just picked your place to roost? Turkey vultures are funny about picking roosting places, and once they've picked a spot you can't really do anything to discourage them until they get tired of it. They pick a new place a few times a year so maybe they're about ready to move on. People do complain but there's nothing that can be done :dk:. I've never seen a vulture eat cat food (unless you're feeding them raw) so I'm not even sure changing the feeding situation will help.

Hanging shiny things around and playing a radio loudly might help them decide to move on a little sooner.

Willowy, you ask good questions....but unfortunately, I can't give you a good answer since I'm just  the landlady.

First of all, I don't know for sure WHAT is being fed.  Both wet and dry (I think).  It appears they are eating it.  They certainly surround Mrs. C and the ferals while she's there and she even has to shoo them away. 

I'm stumped as to why they're here...but will try anything and everything.  Oh, the guy who plows our snow saw a bald eagle.  Don't want to shoo it.