| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 12:06:08 PM
I mentioned to a lady at church that we're building a chicken coop because we're getting chickens. Her husband suggested we get a barn cat to keep the rodent population down. I told him we have an outdoor cat and dh has seen her carrying a mouse in her mouth, so I'm hoping she'll take care of any around the coop. Several people started talking about their barn cats, etc., and I noticed the consensus was to not feed your cat cat food. I asked one of the farmers why not, and he said that (and it makes sense) if they are fed by humans, they aren't as dependent on food they prey on and therefore will catch fewer mice. They'll do it because it's instinct, but not as often as if they needed it to survive.
Those of you who live on farms -- is this true? Should I wean my outdoor cat off cat food? Will she run away if I don't feed her? I want my cat to be well taken care of, but I also want to work with the natural cycle, not tamper with it.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shelle |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 1:24:20 PM
I am glad someone asked this question. I want to get some kittens this summer to keep down the mice around our place. I would have fed them anyway but its nice to know that they will still catch mice if you do.
Shelle
http://janzenfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 05 2007 : 11:34:22 AM
Tiger hasn't brought me any trophies yet, and maybe she'll be so humble that she won't want to show off her catches! 
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| Shirley |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 11:55:15 PM
Gosh,
that reminds me of a cute little mouse head that was left on the porch the other day, it was perfect condition, excapt for the rest of its body.
my Dh picked it up and was looking at it. so I asked him if we should get it mounted for the living room wall? he just looked at me weird
shirley |
| Luzy |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 7:10:46 PM
We have a farm kitty, Cindy (Cinderella) and she gets fed twice a day and is always leaving me a "thank you" on my front steps... lately in the form of tasty voles and field rats. She usually eats the yummiest parts, I guess, and leaves the rest for me. She likes to share. Wish she wouldn't be so kind! I'm so happy to hear that everyone is on the same page with this topic. I'm glad you started it. I think that barn kitties need good nutrition too because they have a tough outdoor lifestyle. Hugs, Lu
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. |
| EnchantedWoodsGirl |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 6:33:16 PM
Yes, everyone is right - feed your cats and they will still hunt for juicy tidbits of mice and either crawly beings - although I am partial to the cute little face of a mouse. A few years back I had wood rats and even though the cats would catch them every once in a while I would run into one. Well, one day I went into the goats stall that had been closed cause I could hear a funny sound - lo and behold in the bottom of a water bucket with about 3 inches of water were 3 little baby rats (they did all have their hair, so they were big enough to be on their own) trying to get out - they must have some how fallen into the water. I have to tell you, anyone in their right mind probably would have drowned them or let them die of exhaustion but they were so cute and scared - it took me a few minutes, but I finally got the handle of the barn fork (and some courage) and was able to tip the bucket and free them (from a friendly distance) - They all ran out and I can still see them in my mind wet and shaking but so happy to be free - now I know for certain where the phrase "you look like a drowned rat" came from....hehehehe first hand experience 
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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| Love-in-a-Mist |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 2:14:36 PM
I feed ours once a day. Enough that they finish it all so it won't attract other animals. And I agree with Shirley, they will become malnourished, feral and run away.
My stall cleaning helpers
http://shannon-love-in-a-mist.blogspot.com/
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| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 1:29:02 PM
I agree. We had lots of barn cats but also kept dry food out for them on the back porch. If they were hungry, they ate. If not, they didn't. Ours often chose to eat the mice and birds instead. And they always did their job mousehunting. (Of course, we also put any rat snakes we found under the barn as well.)
Granted, the dry food also attracted raccoons and skunks, but we were kids and we thought this was cool...
It also helped feed some of the hunting dogs that got lost from their owners and were roaming around hungry or some of the many pets that people dumped in our driveway, so it never got wasted.
I don't know that I'd offer Tiger filet of salmon or something equally delicious, but I'd always provide food and fresh water.
The only time we really offered special foods (beyond the dry food) was when an animal was starving, sick, pregnant or nursing. (i.e when they needed extra nutrients.) And we gave our cats vitamins.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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| happymama58 |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 1:21:48 PM
Thanks, ladies. I really didn't like the idea of not feeding Tiger any cat food, but thought that perhaps, once again, this "city gal" was doing it wrong.
Jenny, I had to laugh at the mental picture I had of your Pumpkin in with the chickens. Poor kitty!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 12:58:06 PM
I have one (well, two lately..newcomer) outside cat and we feed him catfood..always have. He comes to the mudroom for his food...and he still catches mice.
I get mice in the hen house and fenced yard in summer too..frustrates the poor cat who sits at the fence and watches them. I did let him in one time but the hens all attacked him ..so I don't think he could be persuaded to go in THERE again!! Poor Pumpkin!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Shirley |
Posted - Mar 04 2007 : 12:31:09 PM
We have had many barn cats in the last 25 years of living on this farm.
First of all they cant get all the healthy nutrients that they need for good health from just catching mice and other wild life,birds,baby rabbits,chipmonks,etc.
We have always feed them some cat food in the barn. If you dont feed them some, they will become feral, run away to find other places with food.
ours have brought plenty of CATCHES to our deck and left them there, I guess for us to see that they are earning thier keep.
We have never had a mouse or rat problem,we have had some mice inside the chicken house where the cats cant get.but I put decon under places where the chickens or cats cant get to it, it is warfarin .
the cats can get worms and other parisites from rats and mice and etc. so we keep thier shots up
hope this helps
shirley |
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