The hard life of a barn cat

[DavidBarkey]

These two live out with the chickens and ducks .

They are "working" cats on mouse and rat control . That being said , since we got the bigger one no more mice or rats in the chicken , duck or garden .
The little one(Smokey) we got recently to keep the bigger one (Mr Whiskers) company . I do think we spoil them a little . They come in every night for supper and lovins .

As you can see they have a hard life here , worked to death .

[Eugen]

They're both useful AND cute!

[Harry]

I’ve noticed feral cats around this past summer. I have seen them on the prowl with my ring cameras. Now the mouse population seems to be way down because it’s rare that I catch any in my shop. Harry

[DavidBarkey]

I’ve noticed feral cats around this past summer. I have seen them on the prowl with my ring cameras. Now the mouse population seems to be way down because it’s rare that I catch any in my shop. Harry

The bigger one gets to prowl during the day when he wants but they are inside the electric fence area at night to protect them from predators . We have Martin , Fisher , Fox , and Coy-wolves in the area . If you like the benefits of having the cats around with out the upkeep . Try putting out a little food now and then and if there is a place out of the weather you can leave and old blanket , they will find it .

[propane1]

Trouble with putting food out for a cat is the raccoons find it. Son tried that. Raccoons got all the food. Sons lean too where he stores cars and tractors has racoons coming and going. His camera picked up a cat in there one night. So he thought he’d feed the cat to maybe keep it around and help keep the racoons away. Didn’t work. Coons got the food before the cat.

Noel

[DavidBarkey]

Trouble with putting food out for a cat is the raccoons find it. Son tried that. Raccoons got all the food. Sons lean too where he stores cars and tractors has racoons coming and going. His camera picked up a cat in there one night. So he thought he’d feed the cat to maybe keep it around and help keep the racoons away. Didn’t work. Coons got the food before the cat.

Noel

Ya that can be a problem .

[Harry]

I had read about putting up a feral cat box. Someplace for them to hang to get out of the weather. I took an old styrofoam box that had a tight fitting lid. I believe I received a gift from someone that came from Omaha Steak Co. that had beef and dry ice in it. I cut a hole in an end and put straw in it. I did this a few years ago and as far as I can tell no animals have been in it. I placed it on the side if my shop where I store firewood. I never put any food out there. Harry

[DavidBarkey]

I had read about putting up a feral cat box. Someplace for them to hang to get out of the weather. I took an old styrofoam box that had a tight fitting lid. I believe I received a gift from someone that came from Omaha Steak Co. that had beef and dry ice in it. I cut a hole in an end and put straw in it. I did this a few years ago and as far as I can tell no animals have been in it. I placed it on the side if my shop where I store firewood. I never put any food out there. Harry

Probably too close to the people building .

[Harry]

I had read about putting up a feral cat box. Someplace for them to hang to get out of the weather. I took an old styrofoam box that had a tight fitting lid. I believe I received a gift from someone that came from Omaha Steak Co. that had beef and dry ice in it. I cut a hole in an end and put straw in it. I did this a few years ago and as far as I can tell no animals have been in it. I placed it on the side if my shop where I store firewood. I never put any food out there. Harry

.

Probably too close to the people building .

The area never gets anyone other than myself. It’s near the property line that is covered by brush and trees. On the other side is a neighbor who is elderly and not seen much. I guess they just don’t like it there. Harry

[Eugen]

@Harry maybe if you put soft cat food inside, or something else that cats like a lot.