Thumperina
Well-Known Member
My rabbits live in the backyard. They have a hutch but it's rather small (was intended for 2 rabbits, but now we have 4). We have been building a new, larger hutch (since May, yeah), but I am not sure how soon we can finish it.
Anyway, there is a chain link fence around the back yard, regular for this type of fence height. Part of the front and side yard is fenced with rabbit guard (28in tall) - we needed front for the summer as there is a large tree there and shade.
We have never had any problems with predators. We are close to the main streets intersection, so we always have some lights and some noise.
Today I went out to check on my rabbits. One of the bucks is being hormonal and will be neutered soon. As he was chasing the female, I locked female in the front part (I can block space under the back yard gate so they won't fit under the gate).
I went out just on time. A pretty large black cat I've never seen before was approaching front fence. I quickly chased female to the back and tried to chase the cat away. I couldn't do it. The cat was really insolent and not scared of anything. It sat under my car, then the neighbor's car and then under all cars in the immediate neighborhood. One time it ran really fast towards me, to jump over the fence I guess. I was having a hard time protecting my rabbits. I called for help. My husband helped to get rabbits inside the garage while I was monitoring the cat.
We secured rabbits for this night in the house (girls) and garage (boys).
Now I am afraid the cat will be returning.
- Do they hunt after dark only or during the sunlight too?
- Is there anything to repel the cat - maybe a smell I could spread around?
- not sure what you call it (I am a foreigner here) but is there a wire that has sharp thorns? (something that cat would n;t like to climb)
The problem is the there is a daycare adjacent to us and they have tall wooden fence right next to our chain link fence. Should be no problem for the cat to climb that wooden fence and then jump into my yard. Or, the cat could climb a tree on the front and get to the roof, go around and.....
What should I do? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
Anyway, there is a chain link fence around the back yard, regular for this type of fence height. Part of the front and side yard is fenced with rabbit guard (28in tall) - we needed front for the summer as there is a large tree there and shade.
We have never had any problems with predators. We are close to the main streets intersection, so we always have some lights and some noise.
Today I went out to check on my rabbits. One of the bucks is being hormonal and will be neutered soon. As he was chasing the female, I locked female in the front part (I can block space under the back yard gate so they won't fit under the gate).
I went out just on time. A pretty large black cat I've never seen before was approaching front fence. I quickly chased female to the back and tried to chase the cat away. I couldn't do it. The cat was really insolent and not scared of anything. It sat under my car, then the neighbor's car and then under all cars in the immediate neighborhood. One time it ran really fast towards me, to jump over the fence I guess. I was having a hard time protecting my rabbits. I called for help. My husband helped to get rabbits inside the garage while I was monitoring the cat.
We secured rabbits for this night in the house (girls) and garage (boys).
Now I am afraid the cat will be returning.
- Do they hunt after dark only or during the sunlight too?
- Is there anything to repel the cat - maybe a smell I could spread around?
- not sure what you call it (I am a foreigner here) but is there a wire that has sharp thorns? (something that cat would n;t like to climb)
The problem is the there is a daycare adjacent to us and they have tall wooden fence right next to our chain link fence. Should be no problem for the cat to climb that wooden fence and then jump into my yard. Or, the cat could climb a tree on the front and get to the roof, go around and.....
What should I do? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!