Easy methods to Shield Hen Nests From Cats (8 Suggestions & Methods)

Do you know that cats kill roughly 2.4 billion birds¹yearly in the US alone? It’s true. Cats have contributed to the extinction of over 60 completely different species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Whereas we certain love our feline pals, there isn’t any denying the tough impression they will have on the atmosphere.

Whether or not you could have out of doors cats your self or a plethora of roaming neighborhood cats in your space, it’s not a nasty thought to contemplate taking steps to guard your yard birds from the short claws and jaws of those carnivores, but cute, predators.

Preserve studying to search out recommendations on defending chook nests from cats.

Easy methods to Shield Hen Nests From Cats (8 Suggestions)

1. Preserve Your Cat Indoors

In case your kitty turns into a predator for the neighborhood birds, conserving it indoors is a improbable foolproof solution to maintain your yard guests protected.

In case your cat completely should exit, solely enable them to be open air when you possibly can supervise them. You also needs to take into account conserving them indoors at the very least an hour earlier than sundown and an hour after dawn, as birds are typically essentially the most lively at these occasions.

In case your cat prefers to be an outside cat, attempt to maintain it indoors throughout the breeding season, at the very least. That is sometimes throughout the spring, although it may be earlier or later, relying on the chook species in your yard.

An alternative choice is to put money into a totally enclosed cat patio (or catio) to offer your kitty the advantages of spending time within the contemporary air with out endangering the wildlife in your yard.

2. Contemplate The place You’re Putting Nesting Bins

Cats and different yard predators like raccoons will be taught very quick that your birdhouses and nesting bins are dependable meals sources. Which means you’ll have to make accessing the nest as laborious as potential to stop these predators from gaining entry.

The upper you will get them off the bottom, the higher. Preserve them at the very least eight toes off the bottom and, ideally, 10 to 12 toes away from shrubs to reduce the chance that your cat can attain them.

Preserve the birdhouse and nesting bins as distant from any of the massive timber in your yard as you possibly can. Cats are skilled tree climbers and nice jumpers, so that they received’t hesitate to leap from tree to nesting field. Additionally, take away any close by branches that could possibly be stepping stones for cats to entry the home.

Examine your brush piles and shrubbery throughout the nesting season to see if floor nests or fledgling birds are current.

3. Contemplate the Birdhouse Design

When searching for a brand new birdhouse, or DIYing your personal, take into account how cat-proof the design is.

Steep roofs may help deter cats.

Don’t select a birdhouse with perches. Birds don’t want them to enter the home, and so they solely actually act as an ideal handhold for predators.

The birdhouse opening needs to be the right dimension for the chook species you’re hoping to draw. If it’s too huge, predators can simply entry the nest.

The colours of the birdhouse matter, too. Select pure colours that may assist it mix in higher with its environment. Browns and darkish greens are the perfect choices and would be the most engaging to birds. You may even take into account adorning the birdhouse with pure supplies to assist conceal it higher.

4. Use Repellents & Deterrents

Utilizing a cat repellent close to the chook’s nest is one other nice choice for deterring your kitty. You possibly can in all probability create a DIY repellent with issues you have already got in your kitchen.

Citrus peels, black pepper, garlic, and citronella oil can repel cats. Scatter them across the chook’s nest, however do not forget that they’ll have to be reapplied typically to remain efficient.

A motion-activated sprinkler can maintain cats away, however it might result in overwatering if it isn’t positioned strategically.

An ultrasonic cat deterrent could possibly be helpful to maintain away stray and neighborhood cats. They’re triggered by movement sensors and emit ultrasonic alarms that startle the would-be predators and ship them working.

5. Select Panorama Correctly

If neighborhood cats are an issue, you may take into account re-landscaping your yard. Select crops that naturally repel cats, resembling thorny bushes or these with sturdy scents. Sharp mulches are one other useful gizmo you must have at your disposal.

6. Use Deterrents on Your Timber

In case your cat is having access to the chook nests by climbing your timber, you may take into account one in every of two tree-protecting choices—a baffle or scat mats.

7. Tree Baffles

A baffle is a sheet of metallic or plastic that matches snugly round tree trunks. Its slippery floor acts as a barrier to stop cats and different critters (e.g., squirrels) from climbing up. You should purchase baffles on the retailer, however DIYing one is tremendous easy and quick.

You may as well discover cone-shaped baffles. These are formed like e-collars and are adjustable to suit the circumference of your tree. They’re tremendous straightforward to put in and also will deter raccoons and squirrels.

8. Scat Mats

A scat mat is a sheet of plastic spikes that may be positioned anyplace in your house or yard the place you don’t need your cat to be. Although they’re not made particularly for timber, the mats are versatile sufficient that they are often bent and linked collectively till it’s large sufficient to wrap round your tree.

Remaining Ideas

Whereas it would take some effort and time to cat-proof your birdhouses and nesting bins, the tip end result shall be value it. Birds will look to your yard as a protected sanctuary and can maintain coming again season after season, and also you received’t want to fret about your kitty contributing to the cat-bird predation downside.

Featured Picture Credit score: goja1, Shutterstock