Barn Cats

[walls0stone]

Any ideas on what makes a good mouse kill'n barn cat?
I can't stand any animal that just eats food...Cat's must kill rodents. So do some kinds do better than others?

Once had a cat that would bring home so many mice, mother's drive way looked like the Little Big Horn. Wish we'd left him with what God gave him. Might have more like him.

[WileyCoyote]

I've heard it said that a momma cat with kittens will be the best ratter, but that is not necessarily true. The best ratter I ever had was a HUGE tomcat. Although some of my females were feisty and brought home rats, mice, snakes, birds, etc, and two were guard cats that would attach themselves to stray dogs' faces and nonresident human legs, most were more interested in whining for another handful of food.

I think it has to do with attitude. My ratters all had a superior attitude, standoffish and cool to humans. They would allow themselves to be petted as if it were a favor, but they were very self-sufficient and independent. I'd look for a snob cat; one who prefers to be by him/herself, who seems quite confident, who doesn't cry or rub up for attention. You can usually tell when they are kittens who is going to be the snob.

[Drawbar]

No barn cats here. In the summer we leave our barns open to allow fresh air in and to cool the barns, and as you know, cool cows make more milk. Anyway this presents a problem because skunks come wondering in. I don't think there are many farmers here who have not had cats get infected with rabies or had to have the rabies vaccine administered...at 3 grand for the round of shots!!

So we shot all ours, and I know of a farmer that did not have the stamina to shoot cats, but knew a diesel mechanic that did. They paid him something like 40 dollars an hour (service call price) to thin out his barn cats.

So now we have rat dogs. The best kind are the Jack Russel's. Myself I have a Miniature Schnauzer and highly recommend them. They were bred to hunt rats on ships and have the small size and tenacity to go after them. They also love to kill snakes. My dog, while completely lovable and is a great family pet, changes in an instant with rats, snakes and mice. Once he smells or sees one, he changes mood and stance and is a vicious killer despite his small size...ten times better then cats in my opinion.

By the way if you are a farmer these are considered rodent control and can be considered a farming expense. We have been audited many times and its truly a justified farming cost. This is true of cats though too. All feed, vet care, licensing, breeding, etc are tax deductible.

So yeah I would nix the cat idea and think dog instead.

[walls0stone]

How many dogs is that going to take? What do they cost?

I do have a mama cat here now, and last night she brought home an adult rabbit. She acts just like you say.

Draw, I agree with the expence of rat controle, still somthing about a few good barn cats around feels like home. :)

[Drawbar]

How many dogs is that going to take? What do they cost?

Just one. Its too much risk to have rabid cats around so the dog keeps up. Its a house dog, but loves to run around in the barn when we are in it.

As for the costs, we got ours for $180 from a shelter. No need for special training or anything. They are bred to hunt rats so its all instinct.


Draw, I agree with the expence of rat controle, still somthing about a few good barn cats around feels like home. :)

Brother I understand. We have issues with rabies, you might not. I NEVER tell anyone how to farm. I just tell people what works for us, which may be limited to Maine only. I really don't know.

The other thing is this. I like to point out and bring up things a person might not have thought about. I have nothing against barn cats, but some people might not have ever thought about dogs that run after rats either. Just bringing up options, and as you know, with farming/homesteading options are what keeps you going. Having only one plan never worked for anyone. Sometimes you have to back up and punt,and the more options you have thought of,the more you can try to gain success. Please, please NEVER think of my posts as telling you (or anyone else) how to farm. I don't do that.

By the way I have spent a lot of time in Minnesota which is where I think you are from? I never officially lived there as the railroad there paid my state income taxes so my residency never changed, but I spent 7 years in and around Minnesota. Typically the Super 8 in Buffalo, MN was my home, along with a Americ Inn in Rogers, MN and a few hotels in the Plymouth, MN area. I worked in Hamel, MN (or better known a Medina).

[walls0stone]

Nope, North-central Pa. Mountianeerstone.com

Spoke with a man today about the rat hunting dog..bit more here..but going to look into it. Your right, we don't realy have a rabies problem here, and as long as I can recall...no real flea or tick problem eather. but at 2,000+ elevation, we have a little wind and winters cold as can be.

[AlchemyAcres]

Calico cats are the best mouser's (or ratter's)........followed closely by tortoise shell. (actually, I think it's often a toss up between the two)

Is Lisa your vet?

I know she'll tell you the same.



~Martin :)

[walls0stone]

again falling in with what wiley said and I agreed with...the new mamma is a calico, fluffy, mamma...with 3 fluffy little ones.

Haven't had a large animal vet out here for years.

[remington]

Rat terriers, I have one (She is out of J. Calverts Gracie) that will hunt down and kill anything small and furry that includes, mice, rats, opossums, squirrels, rabbits, coons, bobcats (funny story), and about anything else you can think of. Tough, fast, and deadly that's Dixie. She is layed up right now with an infection in a rear paw. Walks on three legs and still this morning went after the rabbits in the garden. Will never be without a rat terrier.

[quietH2O]

Ferrell cats make the best hunters. Check to see if there is a Ferrell cat group in a large city near you. (Seattle - in my case) They spay/neuter, vet check, vaccinate and delivered to my door, two cats for FREE!!! I haven't seen a rat since, no moles, gophers, even takes care of the rabbit problem in my garden. I am one happy camper!!!!

[walls0stone]

Mr Cotton Tail and I get along fine, in about 3 months I'll get him....
I've gotten a few free cats from friends, here we have 12 or so free cats each day in the classifieds.. but after what I read here. I found that I had exactly what I needed. A semmi wild, callico, mama cat (we named ma ma cat)

she will sorta love you..come to see you when you open the door to the house..but won't let you pick her up...but will rub your leg, hop on your lap if you sit...

she has 3 little fluffy calico daughters we dubed the Fluff keteers...so far I've found many a mouse tail on the door step,....so I'm happy.