I got some birds (parrots, finches, canaries) in cages in a gazebo that keep getting eaten by cats in the evening. Thjey sneak in over the fence and find ways to open up the cage or pull them out between the bars. They have killed several already. Is there a way to get rid of them? Any kind of poison that I can use or is there a safe method?
2006-09-05 07:26:27 · 25 answers · asked by LW 4 in Pets ➔ Birds
Just FYI, these are stray cats coming into my property, they're not my cats.
2006-09-05 07:35:16 · update #1
I think the cheapest and most effective would be to get some wire mesh from Home Depot and use a staple gun to put it up. They sell it in galvanized wire rolls, about 3-4' wide with 1/2" sq. mesh. Cost is by the foot. The staple gun is faster than nailing. If you wanted to keep the mosquitoes out you could use screen wire instead, which they also sell. Galvanized wire is poisonous to birds so you can't use the finished Gazebo as a flight or release your birds in it for an extended length of time (they sell stainless for that and I've used it to built big temporary cages).
If you want to catch the cats instead there's a thing called a HAVAHART trap. It catches them without injury. See http://www.havahart.com
2006-09-09 16:44:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get traps from either animal control, or buy one or two for $50.00 bucks each, and catch the wild cats. You can take them to animal control. I don't believe you would want to poison them, as is is cruel; besides it is against the law. - Put some type of fencing, like small chicken wire, and wrap around the cages to protect the birds from the cats. How about getting a nice watch dog that can chase away the cats, yet not harm your birds?
2006-09-11 03:40:18 · answer #2 · answered by bobbie e 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A finer mesh should do it and secure the door properly, and check the fence every day to see there are no holes. The birds should be completely covered in as cats can climb to a considerable height if they feel inclined. There is no sure way of discouraging cats - I know, I try and protect the garden birds from our moggie and I have yet to find a way of discouraging its horrible habits.
Some people use a water spray.
2006-09-05 14:39:18 · answer #3 · answered by tagette 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a combination lock or a magnetic lock for the cages. before I read your paragraph.. and just the question, I was going to say let the birds have at the cat.. doubt that the cat would be interested in bird for dinner for a long time. (I just got a large outdoor cage for my parrot and am using wrap around on itself velcro for the moment until I get the lock fixed or get a proper latch, THOUGH I'm not leaving her outside overnight for the local bobcat to come sniffing around.) Can't you bring them in for the night? Here's an idea? you have a shed? perhaps put cage against the door so that it becomes an indoor/outdoor cage of sorts and the birds can bring themselves in? Good luck.
2006-09-05 14:35:41 · answer #4 · answered by Valeria 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a local government unit in your area that captures stray animals like cats and dogs? You might want to contact them. In the meantime, the solution is to put barriers around the gazebo.
2006-09-11 07:06:39 · answer #5 · answered by michaelamanuba 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not use poison!
cover the gazebo with a cage wire that is finer than a cats paw. ie half inch or less. Reinforce the door latch with a locking mechanism.
Cats are smart, resourceful, and determined. You need to be more so.
2006-09-09 15:49:50 · answer #6 · answered by Haszakess 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say make the "gazebo" more secure. Cats are just following their nature. It's not their fault they like birds. You're the problem. Either move the birds to a safer environment, or make the current one safer. Don't blame the cats, just fix the problem.
2006-09-05 14:29:13 · answer #7 · answered by dhalia_1977 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are a neighbor's cats then tell the neighbor, if not then catch them in the act of trying to eat the birds and call animal control. Keep the birds way out of reach for the cats.
2006-09-05 20:44:33 · answer #8 · answered by Surfin'_the_Tide 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why not trap the cats and send them off to the humane society. They will even supply the traps to you. Don't kill them, there are animal rights laws. Also, you could possibly kill someones roaming pet. There are a lot of irresponsible owners out there...but don't think the cat should have to suffer for their irresponsiblity, and you may make some quick enemies of your neighbors if you poison their pets!
2006-09-11 02:36:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy a device called a cat scarier it's a high pitch noise that scares the cat from into the area
2006-09-09 16:03:25 · answer #10 · answered by Jag1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋