Stray Cat

JCS1

It's getting the timing right that I'm struggling with. Whenever a cat had kittens in the past it was so much easier as the mothers trusted me from day 1.

I've even contemplated getting a box for kittens and mother and moving it a slowly day towards the house day by day!

paulineb_2

Keep feeding them, thats all you can do for now, just because they arent going to have an indoor home right away doesnt mean they are going to be feral cats.

JCS1

They are still with their mum in the hayloft, first picture :

gunsandbanjos

JCS1 wrote: »

They are still with their mum in the hayloft, first picture :

Squeeeeeee, they are cute! Want one:rotfl:

JCS1

I still havent seen them, OH took picture. Hopefuly got homes for 4, the other 2 will keep. Sent a few emails trying to loan a cat trap so can catch mummy cat and get her to vets. She is amazing mouser/ratter, definitely earning her keep on the farm.

southcoastrgi

awwwww they are beautiful

moggymutt

6 weeks is the very latest that you need to try and catch them to tame them. Their chances of survival as outdoor cats, or homed as domestic pets, increases hugely if they are tame enough to be regularly wormed, medicated when necessary, etc. Taming at 6 weeks is many, many times less traumatic for the kittens than even just a week older. Maybe they will let you stroke them as they learn to come for food, or you may have to use the trap to catch them.

Thanks for getting the mum spayed.

JCS1

moggymutt wrote: »

6 weeks is the very latest that you need to try and catch them to tame them. Their chances of survival as outdoor cats, or homed as domestic pets, increases hugely if they are tame enough to be regularly wormed, medicated when necessary, etc. Taming at 6 weeks is many, many times less traumatic for the kittens than even just a week older. Maybe they will let you stroke them as they learn to come for food, or you may have to use the trap to catch them.

Thanks for getting the mum spayed.

Local cats protection league have emailed be back tonight and are happy for me to borrow a trap for the mother, was always happy to keep her (could never turn away a stray cat)

My current thinking is next weekend (bank holiday) as that will give me extra time and the kittens will be 5 1/2 weeks then. Have been stocking up on kitten food, litter tray and everything else ready.

Will keep the door propped open and hope the mother follows them into the house

The tortieshell kitten is a real mini-me, that's one I want to keep if possible

spookylukey

Good luck with it all! Definitely agree that you should try and catch them sooner rather than later, for their own sakes and to try and give them a good future as much loved pets rather than barn cats.

There's some good advice on taming 'feral' kittens here:

http://www.celiahammond.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=29&MMN_position=50:50

and here: http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php?topic=26929.0

gettingready

Wawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww