Trapped an adolescent, now what

I keep poultry and trap as a matter of course to protect my flock.  I inadvertently caught an adolescent cat last night in a live trap.  It seems much more calm than the last feral I caught but with gas where it is I'm not overly interested in driving it the 20 miles round trip to the shelter.  And local animal control won't pick it up.

What are my options here.  I will NOT release it to prey on my birds but... I'm kind of at a loss.

Unless you have bantam chickens I don't think a cat will be a problem. Could even be useful in controlling mice and other vermin.

Neighbors here have chickens - hens, a couple of roosters, sometimes a broody hen will rear some chicks. They have cats and the free-range chickens are never bothered. The cats up the hill where the people have some sheep and barn cats who again, are not a problem with those chickens. When I kept chickens my cats were very cautious around the hens.

Ducks, geese, peacocks should also be safe from cats.

Raccoons definitely are a problem. Dogs absolutely can be. Weasels are killers. Cats, not really.

I get your point about bantams.  But I have numerous (well, less so now - point...) hatchlings.  Geese are great parents, ducks, less so.  And thus cats are a huge problem.

I've lost about 30 ducklings but my coon/possum traps (those requiring "hands") were empty.  I set a live trap last night and caught a cat.

Tell me again how cats aren't a problem?  But you're also not providing a solution to my problem - what do I do with this cat in my trap?

I've called my congressperson and the DNR, I am WELL within my rights to just shoot it.

I don't want to do that which is why I'm here.  But given no alternative, I will eliminate the problem.  I really hoped someone would post with an alternative instead of an anecdotal platitude.

Again, I'm looking for someone to give me an option here that's cheaper than a bunch of gas.  (yes, I really am that poor - and those birds killed were my meat for the year and yet I'm still trying to find an excuse to not kill this cat.)

Even if animal control came to pick up the cat they would in all likelihood kill it.

You say it is calm but is it really tame / friendly? If yes you could ask neighbors if they want a cat. It would have to be kept caged / confined for several weeks so it learns to associate the human and the site as home. And they may already have all the cats they need / want.

Look on-line and see if there are any cat rescue groups in your area. Call / e-mail them and ask if they will come and get the cat. If not, do they have any suggestions. Their response time may be long since this is kitten season and most places are full up.

How much time will you give the cat in the trap - one day, a few days. a week? Any food or water in the interim? A litter pan (can be a cardboard box inside a garbage bag with some sawdust or wood shavings or dirt)

I sympathize with your problem here. You are trying to find a practical solution that spares the cat. I've had issues with raccoons and chickens, a weasel and ducks. It is very unpleasant to walk out to the coop and find feathers strewn about and dead, bloody birds.

Just a thought - I understand that you caught a cat and not a raccoon. Does not mean that a raccoon is not the culprit, just that you did not trap one.

May I ask, please, over how long a period were the 30 ducklings killed, and were they carried away or were any eaten in situ?

Catapault said:

 
Even if animal control came to pick up the cat they would in all likelihood kill it.

You say it is calm but is it really tame / friendly? If yes you could ask neighbors if they want a cat. It would have to be kept caged / confined for several weeks so it learns to associate the human and the site as home. And they may already have all the cats they need / want.

Look on-line and see if there are any cat rescue groups in your area. Call / e-mail them and ask if they will come and get the cat. If not, do they have any suggestions. Their response time may be long since this is kitten season and most places are full up.

How much time will you give the cat in the trap - one day, a few days. a week? Any food or water in the interim? A litter pan (can be a cardboard box inside a garbage bag with some sawdust or wood shavings or dirt)

Click to expand...

Excellent post.

Another idea.  Is it possible for YOU to adopt this cat?

Being yours, he wont hunt the ducklings.  Cats are like dogs in such a matter.  They dont hunt those who belong to the family, although they can still hunt  animals dont belonging to the place.  I know of several thrue stories about cats being buddies with the familys rabbits, while simultaneously hunting wild rabbits outside.   Also bird, or even mices...

Another idea, for a more long term:  is there a possibility you can get these geese to protect the ducks and ducklings too?

A memory arises:   There in the park were four  wild geese resting and eating grass, near them a flock of local half tame wild ducks eating on the same grass plane.

Them not  bothering each other.

I  went on  the walk pavement  near.  The ducks by some reason  got scared, and began to nervously  walk backwards.   The geese, until this moment not caring a bit about me,  lined up all four  abreast, and began to hiss at me.

They  didnt saw me themselves as a threat, but their small cousins saw me as a treat, so they  defended them small cosins...

They would probably behave similrily if I was a vile cat.  

Tx for  trying to care about this cat, whom you know / think, is  the destroyer of your  ducklings, your food, your own existence...

I do appreciate this, and I will also send you a Purraise - whatever outcome - you want to save this cat.

Good luck!

Here's a link to a site that tells how to tell what predator killed your birds (does include raccoons but not domestic cats)

http://www.raising-chickens.org/chicken-predators.html

And I also found this information on a different site. I hope it is helpful in identifying the perpetrator that's killing your birds.

Your best guide is to examine where, how, and when birds turn up dead or missing.

Cats - both feral and domestic - will eat entire chicks and ducklings, but leave the wings and feathers of growing birds. If a cat kills a mature duck or chicken, it will eat the meatier parts and leave the skin and feathers scattered around.

Birds Missing

Missing chickens or ducks were likely carried off by a fox, coyote, dog, bobcat, owl, or hawk.

Rats will carry off chicks or ducklings and leave older ones chewed up.

Birds Dead

Chickens or ducks found dead in the yard, but without any missing parts, were likely attacked by a dog.

Like dogs, weasels and their relations (ferrets, fishers, martens, mink, and so forth) also kill for sport. If you find bloodied bodies surrounded by scattered feathers, you were likely visited by one of them.

Parts Missing

A dead bird found inside a fenced enclosure or pen with its head missing is likely the victim of a raccoon that reached in, grabbed the bird, and pulled its head through the wire. When you find a bird dead inside an enclosure with its head and crop missing, your visitor was a raccoon. If the head and back of the neck are missing, suspect a weasel or mink. If the head and neck are missing, and feathers are scattered near a fence post, the likely perp is a great horned owl.

Just as a raccoon will reach into a pen and pull off a chicken's head, so will it also pull off a leg, if that's what it gets hold of first. Dogs, too, may prowl underneath a raised pen, bite at protruding feet, and pull off legs.

StefanZ said:

 
Excellent post.

Another idea.  Is it possible for YOU to adopt this cat?

[..]

Tx for  trying to care about this cat, whom you know / think, is  the destroyer of your  ducklings, your food, your own existence...

I do appreciate this, and I will also send you a Purraise - whatever outcome - you want to save this cat.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

I actually totally would haveadopted it  but again, poor, and I was afraid it would carry something bad to my own indoor cat.  The Prince of the House.

And thanks for the purraise!

I would have advised you to do exactly what you did -- relocate the cat.  Hopefully it wasn't a neighbor's pet.  If a Lost Cat sign goes up, you should tell them where you relocated the cat.  Otherwise, it's over for you now.