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  • From: "mtlivestock" <crublee AT libby.org>
  • To: <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] RE: cats and birds
  • Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 11:06:37 -0600

Tom and Joe,

I have observed cats only get birds in certain "seasons". The rest of the
year, the birds get enough food and don't get into zones where cats can
easily catch them. Times when birds have to feed in "danger zones" due to
reduced available feed or during the time young are learning to fly are the
main times of the year cats are "bird eaters". Low feed levels also
requires birds to eat repeatedly in one area making it easier for the cats.

I think cats eating songbirds is a concern only in areas where other
pressures effect songbird numbers. Or where the environment is set-up in
the cats' favor. (Low trees, lots of cover, etc. near feeders/water.)

I saw a tv program several years ago about a couple that work to conserve
song birds. (I think they were artists and birds were their subjects.)
They had two cats! They had elaborate solutions for keeping the cats from
eating birds in their garden, but I think they even conceded it was
impossible to stop them completely.

The key solution in their opinion was a reduction of the cat population in
general. They advocated spaying and neutering to maintain reasonable cat
numbers. A single female cat can have 9-18 kittens per year. That is many
more "bird catchers" in one backyard or farmyard than one spayed female!

And yes, I have pried open a few kitty mouths in my time to "free the
birdie" that was alive and able to fly away. For me, I feel I have the
right to interfere since the fat cats eat the cat food I pay for each day!!!
The cats never agree. ;-)

Christina








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