Cat killed one of my birds

[MariusStegmann]

This morning I found a ginger cat on one of my aviaries, studying the birds intensely. I chased it away with a broom. Later today when I came back to my aviary, I found my pied Seagreen Parrot finch cock dead in the aviary and the canary cock bloody. The cat was obviously active. I am in a killing mood. I was extremely fond of that bird and it took me a long time to find a pied SG cock. The cost of the bird doesn't even come into it. I know that the cat has rights, but it does not include the right to kill my birds on my property. Does any RSA members know what my rights are? I feel like shooting it, but that won't do, I suppose. I suppose that I must contact the SPCA and find out what I can do and not. If the cat strayed into my backyard then it is a stray and I can catch it and take it to the SPCA as a lost cat. At this point in time I feel feathers for the cat and it's owners.

[debbie276]

I'm so sorry for your loss This is why I added an electric fence around my aviary. The neighbors all leave their cats run amuck here and there's nothing I can do about it other then to fortify my aviary. Also helps with the wild vermin too.

Hope you find a solution that will work for you

[isobea]

MariusStegmann - Marius, I am so sorry to hear that darn cat did get to your birds! I used to have the same problem when I first built my aviary. The neighbors around us had a combined 7 cats that all were left out to do whatever (we didn't have enough coyotes at that time or they would have 'taken care' of some of them).
Just like Debbie I put electric wire around my aviary: one loop at 1 foot high, the second at about 2 1/2 feet high. That only solved part of the problem, though. Since I built my aviary into a slope, the cats (and raccoons) soon found out they could jump from the hill onto the roof at the backside of the aviary. I got tack strips from Home Depot (used to stretch carpeting) and attached them to the edge of the roof with the nails facing out. I don't know how cats communicate such knowledge, but only one single cat ever tried to jump up that way again. It's been peaceful for the last 25 years. Well kind of, now we have to deal with young sharp-shinned hawks looking for an easy meal every spring...
All of that and I actually like cats - just not when they hunt my birds.
Iso

[Smurf]

Sorry to hear you lost a bird from cats, most avairies here are built with 2 layers of mesh about 2-3 inches apart for protection against predators, it's the only way to be sure as you never know when a stray cat, hawk etc will be lurking around.

If you weren't in another country i could have easily sorted you out with a replacement sg pied cock, have 2 spare at moment

[MariusStegmann]

Smurf Thx for the thought Padraic, Pied SG's are pretty scarce here.
Debbie and Iso, you have probably have an electric fence that just bites and not overly harm. At this moment, I am feeling pretty murderous, I want to concoct an electric fence with 220 volts, I don't want to tickle the cat, I want to teach it a lesson to never come near my aviary.

[isobea]

Marius - Yes, it's one of these Fido Shock fences. But believe me, I had to test it a few times (meaning touch it) when I wasn't sure if the fuses were still good. And boy, the electricity went straight up all the way to my elbow - and it didn't just tickle. Maybe you could test it at somebody's house who already has something similar installed. I definitely understand your 'murderous rage'. At that time, if I could have, I would have cut the cat population in our neighborhood down to maybe one.
Iso

[debbie276]

The electric fence I installed is for gardens to keep deer etc out so a bit stronger. My son who's 28 was the tester and it knocked him on his butt! LoL
Totally understand your anger

[lovezebs]

MariusStegmann

So sorry about your birds.
As you may recall, my own cat swiped my fledgling Gouldian from under my washroom door, and fatally injured my Shaft tail female (that I haven't been able to replace).

I was not happy- the cat was not happy either- for a long time.
She's still alive though, which is something she should be grateful for. However, she does stay away from my birds now.

I think the idea of some electric wire is a good idea, along with the tape with the little nails. I know you want to eviscerate the kitty, but keep in mind that it won't bring your bird back, and if you murder the cat, it will just make you feel worse in the long run.

~Elana~

[Jen]

Electric fence is the way to go. I added one around my outdoor aviary after I saw a stray cat hanging around A LOT!!! I couldn't even scare him off using my voice. He was so totally taken with all the bird activity he saw in my aviary he didn't even notice me yelling at him!!! Purchased an electric fence the next day...and it was cheap! So worth the peace of mind...

[MariusStegmann]

Yes, even if I caught the cat I won't be able to harm it. It is not in me. I don't think electric fences here are cheap, and you can't readily buy DIY electric fences. I will have to do some internet research on what is available. People here put them up to try and keep human intruders out and it is a lucrative market. But the criminals know exactly how to get past it quite easily.

[lovezebs]

Mariusstegmann

As a short term deterrent (untill you figure out something more permanent), you could spray the area around your aviary, with an outdoor cat repellent. You'd have to pretty well spray it every day, but cat's don't like it, and usually will stay away from it at least temporarily.

Just a thought.

Kids water gun blasters are great too, but only good when and if you're home, and if you're a good shot. A blast of cold water under the tail, does wonders to dampen a cat's fascination with birds.

Good luck

~Elana~