I safe-trapped a 6-month old feral cat last November and the next day, she gave birth to three kittens. One kitten died, I found an excellent home for another kitten, and due to the intense protection that mama cat gave to the third kitten, I kept both both that kitten, Jem, and mama cat, Scout. The kitten is now 7 months old, mama cat has been spayed, and they are living together quite happily in a guest bedroom.
The kitten, Jem, seems willing to approach my three other resident adults cats, but Scout hisses at them and hides from them for extended periods of time, thus having no access to her litter box, food, or water. As a result, I haven't allowed introductions between the two sets of cats.
Does anyone have ideas on how to integrate Scout and Jem with the resident cats?
The kitten, Jem, seems willing to approach my three other resident adults cats, but Scout hisses at them and hides from them for extended periods of time, thus having no access to her litter box, food, or water. As a result, I haven't allowed introductions between the two sets of cats.
Does anyone have ideas on how to integrate Scout and Jem with the resident cats?
. Scout is being protective of Jem. Usually, feral cats will get along with other cats quite readily unless they are unaltered and wanting to breed or have kittens or are going to give birth soon. If Jem is already acclimated to your other cats, then I would allow Jem to be out with the resident cats and keep Scout in that room alone until such time that Jem is completely part of your other group. Do your other cats already like Jem too? You might have to put another litter box somewhere near that room where Jem was living, just so Jem can readily have access to a box near her safe room. Once Scout is separated from her kitten, then I think things will progress somewhat from there. After Jem is part of the resident group, then you can allow Scout out for only short intervals at a time to investigate. Scout will see that Jem is already accepted by the other cats and will not feel as protective or threatened. Try to have some wand toys ready to distract any cats from overracting to eachother. Play sessions can also help bond cats together and is a great way to burn off energy. But, be watchful, some cats get too fired up in play sessions and then can redirect this onto another cat. My Perla does this when she plays, she gets jealous and overexcited and then lashes out at one of her brother's. 
You can expect some hissing/growling in the beginning of any cat introductions, this is normal. If you do regular, short sessions with Scout out and then return her to her room, things will go more smoothly. Then you can start to leave her out longer and longer, only when you are home. Eventually, you can leave her out all day, but keep her in that room at night. And eventually you should be able to leave her out day and night. This could take a week or could take a couple of months. You will know when it is safe to leave her our unattended. 
).
will just have to get used to the little one, and she will
, I am sure of it.
Abigail might even start to venture towards the safe room 
!! And just let her investigate on her own. Good that you know that this could very well be a long, slow introduction. But.... long/slow intros. are the best kind and the way cats remain great friends for life that way. Let them find eachother all on their own and in their own comfort level. Take is slow and you will be rewarded with many years of peace amongst the whole clowder
