Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2012 19:12:36 GMT -5
In late May we adopted a 2 year old huge cat from PetsSmart. It seemed more logical to adopted an older one than a kitten. We needed one for our small barn, as mice began making nests in my saddle blankets.
I kept 'Tucker' in my room for about a month, even though they said 2 weeks. He was so friendly when we picked him out, but he was so skittish and weird at the house. For about a week, he didn't get out from under my desk. He wouldn't let me pet him, and it took forever for him to actually eat. I guess the saying, 'They'll eat when they are hungry enough." is true.
On the first of July I wrapped him in a blanket and put him in the barn. I sat there for what felt like hours, trying to coax him out from the corner. Nothing- just a lot of bitter hisses.
I feed him every night so he comes back. And when I let the chickens out a few hours before sundown... he got into a habit of tackling our small Leghorn. I don't want him to get completely feral, and I just want him to do what we bought him for. Kill mice.
It seems as if he doesn't shape up- we have to give him back. He is killing the toads and baby rabbits. That might be good for the garden's sake, but not for the hunting in September. I really like this cat (even though he has never returned the favor) and I don't want to surrender him.
Is there ANY way to get him to leave the chickens alone when they are out (he doesn't bother them in the coop, which is in the back of the barn). Has anybody been successful with a troublesome barn cat? Any suggestions are very welcome! Thank you for any advice!
I kept 'Tucker' in my room for about a month, even though they said 2 weeks. He was so friendly when we picked him out, but he was so skittish and weird at the house. For about a week, he didn't get out from under my desk. He wouldn't let me pet him, and it took forever for him to actually eat. I guess the saying, 'They'll eat when they are hungry enough." is true.
On the first of July I wrapped him in a blanket and put him in the barn. I sat there for what felt like hours, trying to coax him out from the corner. Nothing- just a lot of bitter hisses.
I feed him every night so he comes back. And when I let the chickens out a few hours before sundown... he got into a habit of tackling our small Leghorn. I don't want him to get completely feral, and I just want him to do what we bought him for. Kill mice.
It seems as if he doesn't shape up- we have to give him back. He is killing the toads and baby rabbits. That might be good for the garden's sake, but not for the hunting in September. I really like this cat (even though he has never returned the favor) and I don't want to surrender him.
Is there ANY way to get him to leave the chickens alone when they are out (he doesn't bother them in the coop, which is in the back of the barn). Has anybody been successful with a troublesome barn cat? Any suggestions are very welcome! Thank you for any advice!