Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: JackSpratt on May 27, 2009, 12:48:39 PM

Title: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: JackSpratt on May 27, 2009, 12:48:39 PM
Two birds in the space of just under two weeks. (A sparrow and a rather handsome great t.it yesterday... :tired:)

Obviously, I'm extremely aware this is part of a cats nature but was wondering if anyone had ever found an effective way to deter hunting for birds?


Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Gillian Harvey on May 27, 2009, 12:55:49 PM
Oh dear, naughty Asteroid! I heard a commotion in the garden the other day and then Joe came rushing in with a blackbird in his mouth  :(  But I don't think he's depleting the bird population that much - this is only the second bird he's ever caught in 11 years!

Harry used to catch birds quite often, but not for years now - and I don't think any of the others have ever caught a bird.

Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls on May 27, 2009, 12:58:25 PM
Not really Jack-Lyla had 2 birds within 10 minutes yesterday  :( She was very proud of herself  :innocent:

When I open the door to let them out in the morning the birds start going mad  :scared:
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: JackSpratt on May 27, 2009, 13:05:42 PM
I feel so sad for them, and she looks so disappointed when I take them off her.

I bought a bird feeding station because I'd seen one in a photo of Teresas and really liked it. But now I'm not sure if it's fair because I feel a bit like I'm luring the poor birds to their death!
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls on May 27, 2009, 13:12:42 PM
Especially the young ones, they are just daft. I nearly drove over one in the road having a dust bath  :doh:

Cats know when its bird season, there was a cat in my aunts garden yesterday looking for the birds. Not one bird flew down while she was there.

It is awful but nothing can be done to stop them I dont think, Maybe a bell on her collar?
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 27, 2009, 20:12:20 PM
Probably does no good but Dinah (our best hunter) isn't allowed out in the morning till she's had a good breakfast.

Her babies are also excellent "hunters".  Ruby brings in leaves and Millie carries around her catnip mice wailing about how she caught it all on her own.  I know, it won't be long now before they bring in live stuff  :( :( :(
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Liz on May 27, 2009, 21:35:24 PM
On thew whole ours aren't to bad - they sleep in the bird table so we have stopped feeding the birds apart from the 2 fields of grain at thenend of the paddock!

Ours currently are big on mice and newts and have had a mole and a couple of frogs - the dogs have bought me home 2 rats this week to!
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Janeyk on May 27, 2009, 21:45:06 PM
Ours would eat next to the birds and not bother - because they are old, even the older ferals (which are around 10) but the younger ones I have to keep watch.  I know it's just nature but it's the one thing I don't like about cats  :(
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Gillian Harvey on May 27, 2009, 23:26:51 PM
Probably does no good but Dinah (our best hunter) isn't allowed out in the morning till she's had a good breakfast.

Hmmm...that didnt work for Joe - he'd just had his big breakfast and then he went out and caught the blackbird! little devil  :innocent:
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: JackSpratt on May 27, 2009, 23:33:11 PM
It is awful but nothing can be done to stop them I dont think, Maybe a bell on her collar?

They all have a bell on their collars......not quite sure how she gets round that. ;)

I know it's just nature but it's the one thing I don't like about cats  :(

Agreed. :hug:
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 28, 2009, 00:59:18 AM
Cats are clever and can move without the bell making a noise  :rofl: :rofl:

The birds round here look for the cats before eating  ;D

Misa and Sasa hide close to the feeding station which is on the shed wall but have only seen Sasa with one bird and that was a year or two back.......afraid its the mouse, vole and shrew population that mine deplete  :(

They dont killl for food but for a game or to practice their pouncing , jumping and chasing skills, once the animal or bird stops moving ...no more interest  >:(
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Millys Mum on May 28, 2009, 18:59:23 PM
Keeping them in at dawn and dusk when birds are most vunerable also helps
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on May 28, 2009, 19:53:46 PM
It is awful but nothing can be done to stop them I dont think, Maybe a bell on her collar?

They all have a bell on their collars......not quite sure how she gets round that. ;)

I know it's just nature but it's the one thing I don't like about cats  :(

Agreed. :hug:


I knew a cat that used to have 2 bells on it's collar and it could still stalk and catch birds.  The bells are only effective when they are moving quickly ... most kitties that are stalking are able to keep their heads still and therefore not make the bell ring (ever watched a lioness or a cheetah in stealth, stalking mode?).

Don't really know what to suggest other than trying to keep the little monster in at dawn and dusk like MM suggests.
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Cheesecat on May 28, 2009, 21:49:32 PM
It may be off topic but I think we need some more photos of Ms Gorgeous Madam Tortiepants cause she is :drool;
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: JackSpratt on May 28, 2009, 22:12:30 PM
She is indeed. :Luv: Not sure I've got any that haven't been put on here....


Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on May 28, 2009, 22:29:47 PM
 :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: Gosh she is such a little princess isn't she!
Title: Re: Asteroid's on a mission to decrease the bird population....
Post by: JackSpratt on May 28, 2009, 23:20:24 PM
Yep, that's her. In fact, all three of our girls are little madams, just in different ways. Spratt is definitely a "manly cat." ;)