Cat access into pole barn?

[pburchett]

I have a pole barn, with a lean-to shed on the side, which is covered with metal. I like to have cats around for the mice, but not the other critters that are getting in. I have unscrewed a panel section and it is being propped open 4 inches or so with a piece of wood so the cats have free access. The only problem is that something else ( raccoons, fox, opossum, coyote… just not sure) is getting in also and eliminating the cats.

I figure the cats go out looking for females and find a new home or get captured by coyotes out in the woods, so sometimes we loose one.. The other day I found two half eaten rabbits hidden behind some stuff in the barn. I figured the rabbits accidentally found their way in and the cats got em’. Today I find a little fur and a toe of my boy’s favorite cat in a hollowed out section in the bottom of the square bales of hay. Something had made a 1ft x 1 ½ft hole in the hay and had a snack. Would not have even noticed it but the hay was spread around everywhere on the concrete floor behind the hay stack. Tore all of the hay down, but did not find anything else.

The other day the two dogs (half black lab, half collies) killed a raccoon the size of a small beagle, probably 20-25 pounds or more. It must have been a heck of a fight as they were tore up some on their noses. The dogs are sisters and know how to tag team a good fight.

I thought that was the culprit responsible for eliminating the cat food. Since the last 4 days of single digit temperatures and blowing snow I noticed the cats were eating an awful lot of cat food, but now I guess we had another visitor snuggled up in the hay.

The little boy, his sister and the wife are heartbroken. I’ll go out and get some sardines tomorrow and clean up the old Nitro Hunter and charge the spot light. Does anyone have a suggestion for a cat access into and out of the barn that will foil the other critters?

 

[dun]

Short of you opening and closing a door for the cat, there is no way to keep out the others and let the cat get in. The attic in one of our barns has a 12 foot ladder propped up to the opening. The cats climb the ladder, so do coons

 

[kenny thomas]

I am with Dun on this one. Anywhere a cat can go a coon can go. Also I doubt the coons killed the rabbits or the cat. Any chance you might have a mink?
If it is a concrete floor sprinkle some flour on it and see what tracks show up.

 

[pburchett]

I don't think we have any minks around our house. I have seen one at the creek, but that is two miles away. I thought they liked to close to the water, but I guess one could always stray.

 

[dun]

What about plain old weasels?

 

[3waycross]

What about plain old weasels?

You think a weasel would eat a cat? More likely a Fox. They are he[[ on cats. I have a den of them near the house and have seen them carrying a dead cat more than once.

 

[dun]

What about plain old weasels?

You think a weasel would eat a cat? More likely a Fox. They are he[[ on cats. I have a den of them near the house and have seen them carrying a dead cat more than once.

Depends on the size difference. The weasels around here are little things but the cats steer clear of them. Used to see some pretty darn big weasels that had about the same disposition as a badger.

 

[upfrombottom]

I don't think we have any minks around our house. I have seen one at the creek, but that is two miles away. I thought they liked to close to the water, but I guess one could always stray.

Minks are like any other predator, they go where it is easiest to survive. They frequent water holes, as do coons, foxes, coyotes, etc.. because they know their pray has to have water. But, if the picking is better somewhere else, that is where they will be. Pound for pound, a mink is the most brutal and powerful predator I know of. I have seen a five pound mink whoop a 80 pound Black and Tan coonhound.

 

[kenny thomas]

We had one get into a turkey cage a few years ago and killed a 15 lb turket so I guess they could get a cat easily. It was about a mile from the water. We caught it in a trap the next night when it came back for seconds.

 

[jkwilson]

When in doubt, set a live trap. Won't hurt the cats, and you can deal with anything else that you catch.

 

[Angus Cowman]

talked to my trapper and he said he would bet you have a bobcat living in your barn

 

[Aaron]

talked to my trapper and he said he would bet you have a bobcat living in your barn

Are bobcats that brave in your area? Up here they steer clear of most buildings/humans.

My bet would be a fox. That sized hole in the bales is just right for a fox. Mink and weasels don't make very big holes, although they are fierce enough to take a cat. A friend had a weasel run up into the crotch of his pants when he was cutting firewood one time. Weasel was nesting in the hollow base of a tree he was starting to cut. Friend figured for sure he was going to lose his manhood that day. Now anything he cuts has to have a solid trunk all the way around. :cowboy:

 

[pburchett]

We have bobcats, mountain lions, fox, and a bunch of coyotes. Brave, well it was cold out so I think they came inside. Third night with the cats locked up and the live traps set at the barn. So far nothing yet except for one kitten eating the sardines. :lol: It is going to rain/snow here soon so whatever may try the barn again.

 

[Angus Cowman]

talked to my trapper and he said he would bet you have a bobcat living in your barn

Are bobcats that brave in your area? Up here they steer clear of most buildings/humans.

My bet would be a fox. That sized hole in the bales is just right for a fox. quote]
A fox is the bottom of the list as far as predators go and wouldn't have eaten the whole possum or kitty cat
Nothing except mice and ground squirrels are threatened by the fox my trapper uses fox urine as a lure
as far as bobcats being afraid of the barn I doubt that as they can all adapt to their situation plus they don't take up anymore room than a fox
I know the bobcats in your country are ALOT bigger than we have in the central and southern US most around here will average 25-30lbs we have trapped some 40lb cats but they were huge for this area and not very common but they are vicious

 

[cfpinz]

How about a cat door about 3' off the ground with a small platform in front of it where the cats would have to jump up to go inside each time?

 

[hillsdown]

How about a cat door about 3' off the ground with a small platform in front of it where the cats would have to jump up to go inside each time?

We have that for our shop , about once a year, especially winter) I see the shop cats huddled up in the corner while a stray is snuggled in their heated bed . I am just hoping I don't go in there one time and find a skunk ... :help:
My own cat ,who is on a special diet, uses the door often to sneak some crap food ... :lol2:

 

[msscamp]

What about plain old weasels?

You think a weasel would eat a cat? More likely a Fox. They are he[[ on cats. I have a den of them near the house and have seen them carrying a dead cat more than once.

I don't know anything about weasel's, but I do agree with you on the foxes. 2 years ago a family of 4 foxes wiped out at least 24 cats (the number of mothers and kittens that I know were here) in roughly 4 months at my place.