Ferals and Litter Boxes

Hi all. I was just wondering, for those of you who have brought ferals indoors... do they usually take to the litterbox right away, or does it take a while?

We've had a feral in a crate/kennel since Monday night and last night she successfully used the litter box to do her kitty business. I am wondering what to expect, as our second cat is being spayed today.

I brought in a feral right after she had been spayed and she used the litter box immediately. In fact, that and the empty food bowl was the only way I knew she was even in the room, she stayed hidden for a very long time. I am currently caring for a stray that occasionally comes into my husband's office at night but he has not used the litter box. I just put some dirt on top of the litter(I learned that tip on this site) and will wait and see if that encourages him. Those cats are lucky to have found you!!

Kitty might have already been a domesticated cat already, so they know how to use it at their new home.

I have found that if they are confined in a smallish space then they will use the litter. The bigger the room, the less likely they are to use it. SO start small - a big cage, or even a shower cubicle if you have nowhere else, and they will learn. Then you can increase the space. ANd mix earth or sand with the litter so it feels like what they are used to/