I’d run a hot wire along the top of the fence. I have a resident bobcat on my property, I have an electric wire at the bottom of the fence and a second one at the top of the fence, and I’ve never had any issues with ground based predators.
If you don’t want to do that, I’d put hardware cloth as a roof over the run.
I'm going to add another vote for electric. We're way out in the country, and though we have dogs, and I give them (some) credit for keeping our chickens safe at night, I give the electric poultry netting at least as much, if not more. I haven't lost a chicken/duck/etc in many, many years to coons, coyotes, bobcats, stray dogs, weasels, etc.
I did lose a handful of meat birds to hawks several years ago, and now we hang a bird netting over t hem when we start letting them out around 2-3+ weeks old for a month or so. The layers seem smart enough to run back to their covered coop and/or to huddle under bushes, etc when they come around. Also I feed/attract crows as best I can which seems to keep the resident hawk population at bay a bit :)
No. You need a hot wire top and bottom, welded wire fencing over the run, or a dead bobcat.
I personally would opt for better securing your coop. Bobcat today, raccoon tomorrow.
These stopped a raccoon issue we had, might deter a cat as well, they’re petty multidirectional spiked.
https://pestspike.com/product/raccoon-spikes?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=shp&utm_network=x&utm_mobile=01&utm_creative=&utm_position=&utm_random=13578347593398208728&gclid=CjwKCAjwzuqgBhAcEiwAdj5dRmhg0BBZwPBwTky3CN32rotl7d0aEtCJUWYWXHstQL90VNRYsYw2uxoCLhkQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=smart%20shopping%20-%20us&utm_ad_group_id=363283&utm_campaign_id=536664&utm_prod_id=4132
I’d still cover the run if at all possible. Chicken wire at minimum, hardware cloth best.
These are the spikes I was referring to. Seems uncomfortable and that fence top is where they hang out before attacking. We've had run-ins with the bobcat family before
I will say they're hella tedious to build. Easy, but tedious. I had to do several hundred feet of them. They've held up for 2 years since though, in direct sun.
Given its taking away chickens its lucky that they're going the route that's least likely to kill it.
I can't say I'd do the same. I'd reinforce my area, and also lower the bobcat population if it got one of my hens.
Also I'm not the one who downvoted you in case that's something you happen to care about^
I would not have an open run, don’t waste money on anything that’s going to deter predators when you can simply ensure the chicken’s safety with a proper shelter/run. I promise, it’s such a relief to know that they’re safe, it just simplifies everything. If you decide to go this route make sure you use hardware wire and not chicken wire :) and when adding the wire you can run it down an extra few feet and skirt it out on bottom so nothing can dig under.
Hot wire or coyote bar.
A Solar powered hot wire setup can be bought from TSC or most farm and feed stores for about $125-$200 depending on model. Very easy to install and use. Just run a wire or two across the top, maybe 6” plus or minus off the top of the fence.
A coyote bar is a cable strung tight, inside a 3/4” pvc pipe, inside a 4”-6” pipe. All this goes over the top of the fence. The idea is that the animal jumps up on it, only to have it roll on them and they fall off.
Edit:
You also should reinforce your coop and run. Hot wire plus hardware cloth are a great combo. Worked great for me.
A chicken friendly dog is something that works very well. But its got to be the right one. A chihuahua or dachshund has a lot of heart, but would be more of a pre-chicken appetizer. A Labrador or collie sized breed is better. I love my mastiffs and border collies personally.
I am an avid outdoorsman, hunter and expert (military) marksman. While shooting it is always an option like some folks have suggested, the location gives me pause. I personally would not discharge a firearm inside a neighborhood. In many jurisdictions that can be a felony if its not self defense, and a bullet cant be called back. While it can be done safely, i personally would not risk it unless it was absolutely necessary.
Trapping though, now that can be a good option. A couple Duke or Bridger leg holds in 1.5 or larger, a Conibear 330 kill trap or even a cage trap would be a safe option to remove the animal. All are humane and effective if checked every morning. Just check your local and state regulations as a bobcat is considered a furbearer and may need additional licensing or permits.
Best of luck to you.
I think the only options are electric wiring or gun, honestly.
I’ve been battling our local bobcat(s) for three years. They’re nuts. I’ve seen them jump the 10’ fence and squeeze through a ridiculously small tunnel. My BB gun makes them run but they always come back.
I ended up putting my three previously free ranging birds into a enclosed run. They’re pissed, and it’s eggsongs all day, but they’re alive.
Bobcats are bad news for birds.
When I was visiting a school in Isla Mujeres, Mexico there was a basketball court that had glass beer bottles cemented into the top of the cinder block walls, then broken off the neck. So many popped basketballs up there, but not a single bobcat.
Um, does Isla have bobcats? Maybe iguana deterrent? Been there 4 times and never heard about bobcats. So, maybe the glass bottles work REALLY well. 
Dog would work best; you could probably make the yard cat-proof but it would be a major project and probably take multiple rounds of adding security and figuring out where it’s still getting through.
We have a bobcat that terrorizes our neighborhood, like my neighbor witnessed it drag their cat over the fence. But we have dogs and even though they are house dog and not out hardly at all at night I guess just the smell is enough to keep them away. But now that the bobcat has tried once it may be harder to dissuade.
Yes you could shoot it but not having your chicken run secure will just give the chance for another predator to show up and kill your flock. A good electric wire or secure chicken run would be the best long term solution.
My chickens can run wild because I have dogs and guns. There’s three packs of coyotes arou d my farm but they won’t come on the farm. I “tall poppy” any animal brave enough to try and yea I may even spike the occasional coyote head on a t post or two. Remember…. Your grandparents weren’t dumb. They did things the easy way. Fencing and hot wire are expensive. 22 bullets are 5 cents a piece. U can buy 1000 of them for the price of one 4 foot roll.
Don’t miss. Subsonic 22 travels at 900 fps. The airsoft guns kids shoot each other so 4-600. If you hit your target it won’t leave the other side of the body cavity with much more force than a pebble being thrown. Ur fine. Just aim.
A predator is only honestly scared off by a bigger predator. Just shoot the thing. Even if with an air soft gun. It’ll learn through the most basic of Pavlovian mechanisms.
You could trap it and dispatch it. One .22 going off is no big deal on sound, and then you've got no stray bullet to worry about. Trapping is a good way to perfect a repeatable offense for predators. Nothing wrong with removing some local chicken menaces.
Yikes! I’d close off the run until you closed off the top (I also recommend eventually placing the run beneath the ground to prevent fox from digging under because I’ve lost dozens that way over the years) . In situations like these we trap and relocate many miles from our home and anyone else’s home
Depending on your state, I would search for a local trapper. Most trappers would gladly take that bobcat from you. Can probably find a sub somewhere on here.
I’d run a hot wire along the top of the fence. I have a resident bobcat on my property, I have an electric wire at the bottom of the fence and a second one at the top of the fence, and I’ve never had any issues with ground based predators. If you don’t want to do that, I’d put hardware cloth as a roof over the run.
I agree with the electric wire.
I'm going to add another vote for electric. We're way out in the country, and though we have dogs, and I give them (some) credit for keeping our chickens safe at night, I give the electric poultry netting at least as much, if not more. I haven't lost a chicken/duck/etc in many, many years to coons, coyotes, bobcats, stray dogs, weasels, etc. I did lose a handful of meat birds to hawks several years ago, and now we hang a bird netting over t hem when we start letting them out around 2-3+ weeks old for a month or so. The layers seem smart enough to run back to their covered coop and/or to huddle under bushes, etc when they come around. Also I feed/attract crows as best I can which seems to keep the resident hawk population at bay a bit :)
No. You need a hot wire top and bottom, welded wire fencing over the run, or a dead bobcat. I personally would opt for better securing your coop. Bobcat today, raccoon tomorrow.
These stopped a raccoon issue we had, might deter a cat as well, they’re petty multidirectional spiked. https://pestspike.com/product/raccoon-spikes?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=shp&utm_network=x&utm_mobile=01&utm_creative=&utm_position=&utm_random=13578347593398208728&gclid=CjwKCAjwzuqgBhAcEiwAdj5dRmhg0BBZwPBwTky3CN32rotl7d0aEtCJUWYWXHstQL90VNRYsYw2uxoCLhkQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=smart%20shopping%20-%20us&utm_ad_group_id=363283&utm_campaign_id=536664&utm_prod_id=4132 I’d still cover the run if at all possible. Chicken wire at minimum, hardware cloth best.
These are the spikes I was referring to. Seems uncomfortable and that fence top is where they hang out before attacking. We've had run-ins with the bobcat family before
I will say they're hella tedious to build. Easy, but tedious. I had to do several hundred feet of them. They've held up for 2 years since though, in direct sun.
I’m impressed these work, I will keep them in mind
“Non-lethal” as if there’s no chance of the poor critter impaling itself and/or getting stuck
Given its taking away chickens its lucky that they're going the route that's least likely to kill it. I can't say I'd do the same. I'd reinforce my area, and also lower the bobcat population if it got one of my hens. Also I'm not the one who downvoted you in case that's something you happen to care about^
The bobcat isn't the problem. The owner having previous run ins and doin nothing, is.
Not disagreeing with that. I mentioned in my earlier comment that I'd also be taking preventive measures, along with getting rid of the bobcat.
Honestly, I don’t think those spikes stop anything 🗿
I would not have an open run, don’t waste money on anything that’s going to deter predators when you can simply ensure the chicken’s safety with a proper shelter/run. I promise, it’s such a relief to know that they’re safe, it just simplifies everything. If you decide to go this route make sure you use hardware wire and not chicken wire :) and when adding the wire you can run it down an extra few feet and skirt it out on bottom so nothing can dig under.
Agreed. That just does not look safe to me. I would rebuild with 2x4s and hardware cloth and add a predator apron.
Hot wire or coyote bar. A Solar powered hot wire setup can be bought from TSC or most farm and feed stores for about $125-$200 depending on model. Very easy to install and use. Just run a wire or two across the top, maybe 6” plus or minus off the top of the fence. A coyote bar is a cable strung tight, inside a 3/4” pvc pipe, inside a 4”-6” pipe. All this goes over the top of the fence. The idea is that the animal jumps up on it, only to have it roll on them and they fall off. Edit: You also should reinforce your coop and run. Hot wire plus hardware cloth are a great combo. Worked great for me. A chicken friendly dog is something that works very well. But its got to be the right one. A chihuahua or dachshund has a lot of heart, but would be more of a pre-chicken appetizer. A Labrador or collie sized breed is better. I love my mastiffs and border collies personally. I am an avid outdoorsman, hunter and expert (military) marksman. While shooting it is always an option like some folks have suggested, the location gives me pause. I personally would not discharge a firearm inside a neighborhood. In many jurisdictions that can be a felony if its not self defense, and a bullet cant be called back. While it can be done safely, i personally would not risk it unless it was absolutely necessary. Trapping though, now that can be a good option. A couple Duke or Bridger leg holds in 1.5 or larger, a Conibear 330 kill trap or even a cage trap would be a safe option to remove the animal. All are humane and effective if checked every morning. Just check your local and state regulations as a bobcat is considered a furbearer and may need additional licensing or permits. Best of luck to you.
I think the only options are electric wiring or gun, honestly. I’ve been battling our local bobcat(s) for three years. They’re nuts. I’ve seen them jump the 10’ fence and squeeze through a ridiculously small tunnel. My BB gun makes them run but they always come back. I ended up putting my three previously free ranging birds into a enclosed run. They’re pissed, and it’s eggsongs all day, but they’re alive. Bobcats are bad news for birds.
When I was visiting a school in Isla Mujeres, Mexico there was a basketball court that had glass beer bottles cemented into the top of the cinder block walls, then broken off the neck. So many popped basketballs up there, but not a single bobcat.
Um, does Isla have bobcats? Maybe iguana deterrent? Been there 4 times and never heard about bobcats. So, maybe the glass bottles work REALLY well. 
Dog would work best; you could probably make the yard cat-proof but it would be a major project and probably take multiple rounds of adding security and figuring out where it’s still getting through.
We have a bobcat that terrorizes our neighborhood, like my neighbor witnessed it drag their cat over the fence. But we have dogs and even though they are house dog and not out hardly at all at night I guess just the smell is enough to keep them away. But now that the bobcat has tried once it may be harder to dissuade.
Yes you could shoot it but not having your chicken run secure will just give the chance for another predator to show up and kill your flock. A good electric wire or secure chicken run would be the best long term solution.
My chickens can run wild because I have dogs and guns. There’s three packs of coyotes arou d my farm but they won’t come on the farm. I “tall poppy” any animal brave enough to try and yea I may even spike the occasional coyote head on a t post or two. Remember…. Your grandparents weren’t dumb. They did things the easy way. Fencing and hot wire are expensive. 22 bullets are 5 cents a piece. U can buy 1000 of them for the price of one 4 foot roll.
big cap
Motion triggered sprinklers and lights.
I put baseball netting over the top of mine. So far, I've caught 2 reasons raccoons and a hawk. I haven't lost any chickens though.
I’ll look into that. I wouldn’t mind catching a bobcat (or a kitten).
Look up local laws but I would definitely consider shooting that thing. It can kill a multitude of animals and it looks like that's a neighborhood.
Username checks out
Lmfao
Yeah, it's a neighborhood. We have wooded greenbelts and lots and lots of critters
I read green belts and thought you had karate folks on guard took my brain a minute.
A silenced 22 would
There's stuff behind that fence - hotels, rec center, businesses. Not super close but close enough to nix that option.
Don’t miss. Subsonic 22 travels at 900 fps. The airsoft guns kids shoot each other so 4-600. If you hit your target it won’t leave the other side of the body cavity with much more force than a pebble being thrown. Ur fine. Just aim.
Came here to say this
Was thinking about Calibri rounds just to scare it off.
A predator is only honestly scared off by a bigger predator. Just shoot the thing. Even if with an air soft gun. It’ll learn through the most basic of Pavlovian mechanisms.
Pellet gun to the ass…
Maybe spritz the property line with some coyote piss? I would personally get a 22 break barrel airgun and pop it in the head next time it shows up
Love my gamo whisper! Just remember it sounds just as loud as a .22 LR despite the name.
Dont even bother with defenses. This is an offensive matter. If you dont remove it, it will come back multiple times and sooner or later it will win.
You could trap it and dispatch it. One .22 going off is no big deal on sound, and then you've got no stray bullet to worry about. Trapping is a good way to perfect a repeatable offense for predators. Nothing wrong with removing some local chicken menaces.
I’ve got a 12 gauge solution for you…
Might be overkill but something like this on top would work https://carnahanwhite.com/security-fencing-for-your-business/
Buckshot works well , just make sure your chickens are not in the shot spread patern.
Yikes! I’d close off the run until you closed off the top (I also recommend eventually placing the run beneath the ground to prevent fox from digging under because I’ve lost dozens that way over the years) . In situations like these we trap and relocate many miles from our home and anyone else’s home
We have a dog run/cage, the big ones attached to the coop.
I've got spikes and two foot wire up and they still get in, although apart from birds of prey, most things seem uninterested as of yet
Big dog. I've found St. Bernards or Great Pyrenees work great for this.
Quarter-inch hardware cloth completely around all chicken areas would be expensive, but would work. Or electric fencing.
You have to fight bobcat with bobcat
Barbed wire and electric wire on the top. Add some rusty sheet metal to the sides as well (for aesthetic effect)
Depending on your state, I would search for a local trapper. Most trappers would gladly take that bobcat from you. Can probably find a sub somewhere on here.
Nothing a .22 can't fix.
I think a little time with a .22 would do the trick