Rescued stray cat; problem with litter box

On 11-11-11 I rescued a seven week old female kitten who showed up at feeding time.  (I take care of a feral cat colony, roughly 10 regulars.)  I immediately grabbed her, friend is fostering her right now.  Based on her behavior and opinions from professional cat rescuers, Autumn was probably born to a house cat who was an indoor/outdoor cat.  Clean bill of health except for worms (got a shot of Revolution) and being underweight.  Lots of energy, eating.  Weird cough though (roundworm)?  No signs of a URI.    Already has a forever home in a few days. 

Question:  "Autumn" usually uses the litter box, but not always (poop).  I'm wondering if maybe the mother cat never used a litter box herself because she was an indoor/outdoor cat and as such never really taught Autumn how to use a litter box.  Autumn does  not cover her poo.

Any suggestions for how to get Autumn to consistently use the litter box.  She is usually kept in a large crate, but let out occasionally to explore and play in a fairly small room.

Thanks.

My boyfriend ended up with a cat when a 6 w.o. kitten, who may have been dumped on a horse trail, ran into his house and hid in a bathroom. The kitten acted like a feral for several months and did not use the litter box for the first couple of weeks.  After calming down some, she started using it. Two years later, she rules the house.

Have you tried giving her two boxes? Some cats like one box for #1 and another for #2. How about trying out different kinds of litter? We had a feral whom I trained to use a litterbox by using potting soil. I gradually added increasing amounts of clay litter till he could be switched over entirely.

I would use two boxes for Autumn. Try the Kitten Attract litter mixed with some soil to get her regular with the litter.

Bless you for rescuing this kitten. And how wonderful she already has a forever home. :bigthumb:

Just agreeing with both of the above. Often cats living outside don't like to use the same spot for #1 and #2, and they're used to going to the bathroom in a "clean" spot.  :nod: