How do I stop them fighting?

dunnyboy69

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Think I mentioned in my last post that I'd had to take Paddy to the vet last week for a scratch/ scab on her nose. The vet said what I'd suspected - 'she's been fighting and it'll clear up' - and then charged me a neat little sum of money for the peace of mind.

Anyway, it's very evident that the fighting between Paddy and Little Cow - my two little girls - is getting progressively worse. I've heard lots of caterwauling recently and, this lunchtime, I was with Paddy outside when she must have seen LC in the lean-to and not only chased after her but even ran into one of LC's hiding barns. There ensued utter pandemonium; the noises emanating from the barn were real claws out stuff. I opened the door, got a bucket of water ready and saw, behind all the bric-a-brac my neighbour stores in there, Paddy pawing at one of the gaps in the far corner. Seems that - thankfully - the diminutive one (Cow) had managed to scrabble to safety in one of the other barns.

It's very frustrating and my fear is that it'll get expensive on the vet bills; a scratch now is ok, but abcesses, bites and infections could all happen.

LC is pretty clearly a pariah cat and her fearful, feral nature means that Paddy sees her as an interloper rather than acknowledging Cow as 'one of the family'. It was bad enough with Rudi and LC but, in his defence, he was actually here (albeit as a stray) before LC ever turned up. And, of course, Rudi and Paddy get along ok because they were properly introduced as both are friendly.

I'm not sure I'll ever stop them fighting - it could also be a female thing - but I'd like to run an idea by you all. Feel free to shoot me down in flames! I have a big dog crate around the farm that I don't use. Is there any sense in putting Paddy into this crate for a couple of days with some food, water and bedding and putting the crate in one of Cow's hidey barns? It might be a little late for introductions and it might seem a little hard on my friendly girl, Paddy, but I'd appreciate thoughts. I certainly won't do it till the weather is milder. To my mind it's Paddy who has to change, not LC.

Other options are limited. I can't bring Paddy in because of her pee problem and if the above solution idea is unfair on Paddy, I'd have thought that capturing the 4 year-old uberferal that is LC and bringing her inside would be utterly traumatic for her to the point that she'll not cope. (As an aside, I was talking about LC to a farmer friend of mine who got a couple of ferals from the same shelter at a similar time. His have all tamed up a little - he reckoned he'd taken on a dozen or so ferals over the years and when I told him that mine has a 20ft exclusion zone after nearly 18 months with me, he reckoned I'd got the most feral cat ever as his never accept petting but do, over time, stop running away from you)

I guess the 'let them get on with it' is the only other option I can think of short of putting one of them up for adoption (which would be heart-breaking): but, as the man who foots the vet bills and feeds and cares for his motley but usually loveable crew, I'd really like to find a solution that works for everyone. I wish Feliway plug-ins would work outside!
 

feralvr

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Oh dear - yes, this could potentially be a long-term issue with Paddy chasing down LC. I have cared for "barn" cats - both stray and feral - for many, many, many years at a few different horse boarding barns. Occasionally - two barn cats will just not get along. Now, usually they will find a happy medium in that one cat stays in "their" part of the farm and the other cats stays in "their" part of the barn. Might be that Paddy is working towards this with LC - keeping her away from the garden area and lean-to areas all together. In other words :( - keeping LC away from the house and banished to the back barn. They should be able to work this out - really - cats really do not want to fight - they want to keep things peaceful. I think LC might eventually stay away - sad as it sounds.

I did have one situation with two male cat's - both neutered - that would not stay apart and were constantly fighting. Yes, it is SO loud and dramatic - quite scary to hear and see. Believe me, those cats had buckets of water tossed on them at times and we did have some vet bills. BUT the equine vet always just gave us medications to treat wounds or infections. I finally did decide that it was time for one of the boys to be relocated. I found another barn up the road that was willing to take one of the friendly male strays. It was only about a mile up the road so we were worried he would find his way back, but he never did. :D I think he was SO happy to be taken out of that stressful, tense environment, that he never wanted to come back. Now he is a TOP cat at his new barn :lol3: and doing extremely well. SO - you could consider relocating LC if all else fails.

OH - I would not recommend the crate idea. I really do not think that will solve the problem - it might just make Paddy more aggressive and angry anyway. It is best to let them figure out where the boundary lines are going to be. WOW Paddy sure is feeling her "oats" and is now so confident in her new home that she is taking control of her territory !!!!!!!! :wavey:
 
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dunnyboy69

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thanks for the thoughtful and informative reply.

Oh yes, Paddy is very much Queen Bee around here!

I suspect I'm just going to have to let them work out their differences and be on hand if needed.

R & P are basically restricting LC to within the 3 little barns: two they can access, 1 they can't. For a while now I've been putting Cow's wet food in this 'special' barn safe in the knowledge that she's the only kitty who is small enough to get to it! Good girl that she is, she always wolfs it down, although I am worried that she may have started using one corner of the barn to do her business, as it seems to be getting quite whiffy.

The big bowl of dry food is more communally placed so that all can access and I'd like it to stay like that - it's but 10 feet away from Cow's safe barn anyway. Moreover, it does mean she has to come out just a little bit and show the world what a fine little lady she is. Indeed, just this morning I saw her come into the lean-to, check for P&R and get some kibble. And, joyfully, I then saw her wandering around the lean-to....WITH HER TAIL IN THE AIR!! Not foofed in any way, either, just a happy bolt upright cat tail. I've never seen this from her before, hence the capitals. Way to go, Little Cow!
 

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Hello Fellow Cat People, I've been lurking on the Forums but I am enjoying them so much, I might just have to schedule some regular time for them 


While I really do understand your reasoning (about letting Paddy get used to LC from the inside of a crate) I have to agree with Feralvr - While it is possible that it could work, I think there is also a very real possibility that she might become depressed and/or angry during her confinement. Since LC is the one who would presumably be witnessing her captivity, Paddy might potentially build even more resentment toward LC and take it out on her once she is out of the crate. 

It certainly would be nice if we could accurately anticipate kitties' reactions to our ideas, particularly in a situation like this.

While I would be tempted to give it a try, I think the safer plan would be to hold off and hope that they will work it out on their own. As long as LC has a "safe" place where she can get away from Paddy, she should eventually be able to figure out how often and how close she can get to Paddy.

Oh, assuming you are able to pet them, it might be a good idea to let Paddy see you giving some attention to LC, followed immediately by some attention for Paddy of course.

Please post some updates so we can know how it is going! 
 

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thanks for the thoughtful and informative reply.
Oh yes, Paddy is very much Queen Bee around here!
I suspect I'm just going to have to let them work out their differences and be on hand if needed.
R & P are basically restricting LC to within the 3 little barns: two they can access, 1 they can't. For a while now I've been putting Cow's wet food in this 'special' barn safe in the knowledge that she's the only kitty who is small enough to get to it! Good girl that she is, she always wolfs it down, although I am worried that she may have started using one corner of the barn to do her business, as it seems to be getting quite whiffy.
The big bowl of dry food is more communally placed so that all can access and I'd like it to stay like that - it's but 10 feet away from Cow's safe barn anyway. Moreover, it does mean she has to come out just a little bit and show the world what a fine little lady she is. Indeed, just this morning I saw her come into the lean-to, check for P&R and get some kibble. And, joyfully, I then saw her wandering around the lean-to....WITH HER TAIL IN THE AIR!! Not foofed in any way, either, just a happy bolt upright cat tail. I've never seen this from her before, hence the capitals. Way to go, Little Cow!
:clap::clap::clap::clap: Good girl LC :rub: :rub: I know you want the "community" bowl..... but :anon:.... this could be part of the problem! :nod:. Is that the only feeding bowl you have for the cats? Because that could very well be what is causing the issue between the girls. I would highly recommend you putting another bowl in LC's barn for her OR in another location near that barn - on the other side maybe :dk:. It really is best for the cats to have separate feeding areas especially since the two girls are having "hissy fits". It will be much less stressful for LC if she knows she has two choices of bowls to eat from and not having to worry about being ambushed by Paddy when she tries to eat from the "community" bowl. I always had different feeding stations in the barns for the different groups of kitties that all got along and then the outcasts :lol3:. I know it is a bit more work - but might just be the ticket in solving some of these disputes :cross: Worth a try anyway. :D :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

feralvr

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Hello Fellow Cat People, I've been lurking on the Forums but I am enjoying them so much, I might just have to schedule some regular time for them ;)

While I really do understand your reasoning (about letting Paddy get used to LC from the inside of a crate) I have to agree with Feralvr - While it is possible that it could work, I think there is also a very real possibility that she might become depressed and/or angry during her confinement. Since LC is the one who would presumably be witnessing her captivity, Paddy might potentially build even more resentment toward LC and take it out on her once she is out of the crate. 

It certainly would be nice if we could accurately anticipate kitties' reactions to our ideas, particularly in a situation like this.
While I would be tempted to give it a try, I think the safer plan would be to hold off and hope that they will work it out on their own. As long as LC has a "safe" place where she can get away from Paddy, she should eventually be able to figure out how often and how close she can get to Paddy.

Oh, assuming you are able to pet them, it might be a good idea to let Paddy see you giving some attention to LC, followed immediately by some attention for Paddy of course.

Please post some updates so we can know how it is going!  :nod:
WELCOME TO TCS :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: So glad you decided to show yourself to us :lol3: Hope you enjoy your stay here with us - we LOVE to talk cats, you know :D :clap::clap:
 
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dunnyboy69

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Hi All - thanks for the feedback. Definite need for changes: I left for a meeting last night at 5:30 and R&P were in and around the courtyard happily playing (P) and happily taking it easy (R).

I get back 3 hours later and the Rudi cat shows up for a bit of supper with one eye pretty much closed - pretty sure he got a claw in there. He's had a few eye wounds over the year, but this is by far the worst. Whether its from play with Paddy, a fight with LC or a run-in with a stray I can't say - but a vets visit beckons. And then he's coming in: I have enough of this nonsense between them and have told the rest of the household to like it or lump it! He'll adjust and we'll adjust: he knows we love him and he's going to have a nice upstairs room all to himself. More on this next week, assuming I can catch him to get him to the vet (he's a lovely lad, but doesn't like being picked up/ shoved in carrier).

On the feeding front, here's the before (i.e. up until this morning) and the after (i.e. started today)

BEFORE:

LC gets some wet food put in her barn only she can get to (I think). Either way, it gets eaten in 90 minutes tops

Rudi and Paddy get wet food by the back door/ in the utility room as and when they show up miaowing for it or when I see them and call them in. Can't really leave it out: it would freeze in this weather

The dry food bowl and water bowl are kept in the lean-to and are community

AFTER:

No change on the wet front

But have started putting enough dry and water for LC in her barn. I suspect this will make her more elusive than ever, but if it keeps the peace....

I've also decided to move all R&P's dry and water for the time being to up nearer the house in one of the Happy Hutches. So no more lean-to food for any of them. Even when Rudi comes inside.

fingers crossed.
 

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Well, unfortunately Padders wants LC to become elusive. :( At least you've got a place only LC can access - that is a big help here. :nod: And yes - she may be doing her business in there: territory marking, because of the issues between her and Paddy.

As to Rudi.... yep. He'll adjust! I don't know who he's scrapping with, but he'll be lounging in front of the fire in no time. :lol3: And THAT will save you a lot of worry, stress, and money. :heart3:
 

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Good to know you have food bowls for LC out by her barn. Yes - this will keep her out-of-sight more - but will keep the peace and that just has to be more important. :sigh:....

:eek:hno: Poor Rudi. :cross: for getting him to the vet...... I am sure Rudi will appreciate the indoor life - he will adjust. Much safer for him too :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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dunnyboy69

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Hi All - about time I posted an update. It's a real mixed bag...

THE BEST NEWS - Rudi's eye/ abscess cleared up remarkably quickly and he has returned to his handsome self. Moreover, he has decided to 'take over' the workshop that Paddy originally found at the back of the farm. I'm thrilled with this as it's the next best thing to him being indoors. As with all the old barns and outbuildings around the farm, it is full of the landlords old clutter....in this instance, some of his Mum's old things. This includes a couple of old mattresses which Rudi appears to have realised are very comfortable. I'll get a pic and post ot at some point. It's also the most weatherproof of all the outbuildings

OTHER GOOD NEWS - no evidence of any fighting in the past 12 days or so. So on that front the entirely separate feeding regime is working, but ....

NOT GOOD NEWS - none of us has seen LC since the feeding regime kicked in 12 days ago. She's clearly around as the food in her barn (that only she can get into) is disappearing. Using the night vision, I've also gone looking for her at night, but no sign. As I've written on here many times before, she is a very shy girl by nature. However, I was used to seeing her out and about on the farm on a regular basis. It's almost as if, by putting her food in her barn, I'm telling her I don't want her to come out either. To be frank, I'm saddened and quite concerned: she's essentially a prisoner in a little barn on a 35 acre farm. From a cold, business-headed perspective, this isn't good for the farm as she's the best rodent patrol (Paddy does mice: LC takes out rats, rabbits and, best of all, moles too!) Moreover, I can't imagine she's happy herself. This time last year she was here, there and everywhere on the farm; she had the odd run in with Rudi, but they learned to give one another room and whilst his increasing friendliness made her withdraw more, she was still a very active little lady. There was nothing more heart-warming than seeing her scampering round the farm, keeping one eye out for the big humans and the other for a little bit of prey. But since Paddy has turned up LC's appearanceas have become increasing fleeting. To cap it all - and what prompted this update - I am concerned about her health and not just because I can't see her out and about (even from 20-30ft away!!) but also because when I went to put her food bowl in her hut this morning I noticed that she had basically 'thrown up' all her wet food by the side of the food bowl. I've also recently noticed that she's becoming 'messy' with her kibble - little bits not in the bowl - and I wonder if she has a problem with her teeth potentially as a result of a run-in or two.

So, action needs to be taken. I've just ordered a cat trap and will hopefully catch LC in the next week or so. She is very trap-savvy (when I caught Rudi this time last year, I couldn't catch her) and so this may take time but it will happen. I'll get her used to eating out of the trap for a few days, I guess, before I actually set it.

Then it's off to the vets she goes. Obviously a lot depends on what he says, but I feel as if there are 3 courses of action open to me, depending on what the vet says:

1) continue as we are

2) put both Paddy and LC up for adoption but explain that I only want one to go...so whichever of the girls gets the first good home offer (and I will check it out personally) will be adopted while the other stays. 

3) the really long shot ... bring LC inside. Am not sure of the feasibility of this as she's a 4 year-old feral, but if the vet says she needs to be inside for health issues then it can be considered - where there's a will and all that.

I'm pretty sure that option 2 is the way to go but let's take it a step at a time and get LC caught and seen by a vet first.

Wish me well.
 
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dunnyboy69

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forgot to add....when Rudi visited the vet, they advised to NOT bring him in permanently just now but instead...

* look to bring him in to the utility room if/ when the weather turns. In this way, he can slowly realise that he has the best of both worlds and the move can become gradual ... basically she felt that a permanent indoor lifestyle would not suit him at the moment particularly as spring/ summer is coming. She felt that the road I'd started taking this winter - where I'd locked him in a couple of times - was ideal.

* over Spring and Summer, try to leave the back door open on mild days and let him come in and explore the house like he used to do last summer ... I explained the difficulty of doing this with Paddy around (there's a theme emerging here, isn't there?)

Basically, let him do it on his terms and his time with a view to increasing the frequency next autumn. His health was generally deemed to be good so they felt he'd thrive this spring/ summer.
 

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First off - Excellent news about that eye abscess being cleared on Rudi. I also think sometimes it is better to just let the cats decide - inside life or outside life :nod: Since you have that utility room and can prop the door open on mild days. Then by the winter time - he might be well accustomed to coming in and out and will appreciate being allowed to STAY in on the very, very cold and bad weather days. Good plan :happy3:

I am very concerned to hear about LC too :hugs: :sniffle:.. This is not good and not fair. I also agree that one or the other needs to be placed in a new home. I think that putting them both up for adoption to another barn situation or home would be the way to go and see who gets adopted first. BUT here is my concern. LC is much more shy, introverted, fearful and easily frightened. Paddy is much more out-going and confident now. LC might not do well being relocated to another farm elsewhere. AND we don't really know IF LC would ever acclimate to an indoor life either. I think Paddy might be the easier cat to place - as an outdoor farm kitty - since she is so friendly now. Her only issue is the urine leaking :sigh: So she would need a safe, outdoor farm home. I feel for you - you are trying so hard to do the right thing by these kitties :heart3: You are doing the best that you can and I know something will work out for either LC or Paddy. I do agree that it is not working with them together. Paddy has totally isolated LC from the farm and even though Paddy is just doing what comes naturally to her - it is very hard to see as the caretaker of the cat's. That is when we have to intervene and try to make their lives more healthful, happy and stress-free as possible. My only other suggestion would be to build an enclosure for one or the other - if you had the space that is. There are people here on site that have some outdoor enclosures to keep the feral cats safe and from harm. Just a thought and probably not one you want to consider... Keep us posted and thanks for the update. Thinking of you :hugs: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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dunnyboy69

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As ever, feralvr, thanks for the considered response.

You've seen the elephant (well, cat...but you know what I mean) in the room: Paddy. I love all my cats in different ways but there's no point skirting around the issue that, since Paddy's been here, the dynamic has been turned on its head and probably not in a good way.

She has clearly always been a confident and friendly - my 8 year old Goddaughter came over last week and spent ages playing with her whilst Rudi (not a fan of kids unless he's met them lots of times) and LC (a misanthrope ;-)) hid in the barns. She's an ideal much-loved family pet, basically, but one with a urine leakage problem that precludes indoor life. However, her six months to date on the farm have proven that she is very adaptable and I don't think it will be hard at all to place her. It's a bit like she's now had training from us for outdoor life. I think she's perfect for a stables: people coming along all the time, nice warm barns, loads of mice and fields to play in - she'd become their little darling, I reckon. I would personally love it if I could place her somewhere close by so that I could pop along every now and then, but I know that may be tricky. However, given that everywhere on this small island is fairly close by (England is about half the size of Texas, I believe, albeit with 50m people squished in) you never know.

But there's no hurry. First off I'm catching Cow (trap should be here on Friday) and getting her seen by the vet. Then I'll decide on what to do. But I think the Paddy adoption to a lovely farm or stables will be the way to go.  Obviously the main benefit will be being able to feed LC in the lean-to again, as whilst Rudi doesn't like her, his hatred isn't anywhere near as fierce as Paddy's. I've seen him chase after her a few times but more often I've seen him look at her in the lean-to, think about an assault and then have a change of heart ('oooh, there's that bloody little b/w cat ... better shoo her off ... wait a minute, my human friends are petting me and I've got a big bowl of chicken....oh well, leave her be for now....rub my belly, Dad'). Moreover, given his fondness for sleeping (unlike Paddy, who is perpetual motion) LC can hopefully get back to having her outdoor time. The other benefit will be that I can leave the doors open again and let the big guy explore at his peace like he did last summer - he'd often spend 30-40 minutes at a time in the kitchen, dining room or study having a belly rub, a groom or an explore and if that means he becomes more comfortable again in the house (and hence prepared for a winter inside), then all is good.

More soon, bests for now

p.s. I did seeCow not long after the postings on Monday....was working from home, saw her basically transfer herself between barns via the lean-to. She must have been in sight for, ooooh, all of 10 seconds ;-)
 

feralvr

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WELL- at least you spotted LC - even if for only 10 seconds :(.... YES - I think the "white elephant" looks much like a grey/white kitty :flail: and has the attitude (or cattitude :lol2:) of an elephant for that matter.... It is always a bit risky when we add another cat into the mix whether it be outdoors or indoors. Throws off the status quo. Sometimes it works out just beautifully but then there are the times it does change the dynamics of the relationships in a bad way :sniffle: I once added a "pariah" low-man on the totem pole into my mix of ferals at a barn. The opposite of Paddy - being the newcomer. This newcomer was the one chased around and I was never able to re-trap this kitty to relocate him to another barn/farm. I believe this cat was run off because I stopped seeing the poor guy. I still feel bad in my heart about this. I just tell myself that my heart was in the right place and I had no choice but to take this cat from a really bad situation and try to incorporate this kitty into the already established feral colony at my barn. Sometimes, it just does not work out, sadly :shame:.

I really do not think that Paddy will run off LC from her home though. LC is smart, very smart and will stick it out. She knows that IS her home but she is just too timid and insecure to take on Paddy :sigh:. I really DO hope that Paddy can find another wonderful farm close to you :cross: I will be praying for this to come to be. I know that LC will then be able to relax and be less-stressed once Paddy is gone. AND yes, since Paddy never sleeps :lol3: then LC never gets a chance to come out of hiding. At least Rudi, naps. Good luck to you, as always. :lovegrin: :vibes::vibes:
 
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ldg

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WELL- at least you spotted LC - even if for only 10 seconds :(.... YES - I think the "white elephant" looks much like a grey/white kitty :flail: and has the attitude (or cattitude :lol2:) of an elephant for that matter.... It is always a bit risky when we add another cat into the mix whether it be outdoors or indoors. Throws off the status quo. Sometimes it works out just beautifully but then there are the times it does change the dynamics of the relationships in a bad way :sniffle: I once added a "pariah" low-man on the totem pole into my mix of ferals at a barn. The opposite of Paddy - being the newcomer. This newcomer was the one chased around and I was never able to re-trap this kitty to relocate him to another barn/farm. I believe this cat was run off because I stopped seeing the poor guy. I still feel bad in my heart about this. I just tell myself that my heart was in the right place and I had no choice but to take this cat from a really bad situation and try to incorporate this kitty into the already established feral colony at my barn. Sometimes, it just does not work out, sadly :shame:.
I really do not think that Paddy will run off LC from her home though. LC is smart, very smart and will stick it out. She knows that IS her home but she is just too timid and insecure to take on Paddy :sigh:. I really DO hope that Paddy can find another wonderful farm close to you :cross: I will be praying for this to come to be. I know that LC will then be able to relax and be less-stressed once Paddy is gone. AND yes, since Paddy never sleeps :lol3: then LC never gets a chance to come out of hiding. At least Rudi, naps. Good luck to you, as always. :lovegrin: :vibes::vibes:
:yeah: I think of you and the three kitties often. One of the four regulars in our feral colony is VERY territorial. I almost never see other cats around eating any more. :( We've never had a feral kitty like this, and it's sad, to me. I also think it's going to make trapping this season VERY interesting, if not difficult. I haven't seen any of the old-timers for a looooooong time, and I don't know if he ran them off, if I'm just not seeing them... or if something happened to them. :( But this sounds like your Padders.

Seems like it will be easier to relocate Padders. I also think it's the better choice, because she's more adaptable, and your home is LC's territory....

Is LC still throwing up? Or does she seem to be feeling better - from the little you can see/tell? :cross: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:

Yes, in general many good luck vibes headed your way! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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dunnyboy69

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I bring good news - got a really good sighting of LC about 30 mins ago. I was working next door but had to wander back to the house to pick something up. As I turned the corner, I saw her in the area between the lean-to and the courtyard. She immediately caught wind of me and scampered back into the lean-to/ her hiding barn, but she looked absoloutely fine. She's a real itty-bitty-kitty: I'm guessing 6lbs at most where Rudi is about 11 and Paddy, having joined us as a svelte 7.5 pounder, is somewhere around the 9lbs mark. She is quite a porker: I think she devours all the dry food I leave out for her and Rudi and so, as the warmer weather begins, I'm going to cut back on it dramatically.

LC also seems to be eating well again. Over the weekend we had roast chicken and, knowing how much she likes it, I pulled all the little bits of chicken off the carcass, refridgerated it and am giving her a few each day along with her dry and water. As I'd seen her, I thought I'd pop my head into her barn to say hello (and 'lovely to see you', of course) and noted she'd already devoured her chicken for today!

Don't think I've ever really explained 'her' barn set-up, so here goes. It's about 15ft deep by 20ft across was clearly basically once a stables - there are three clear stalls in there and the real giveaway is that it has stable doors! The bottom stable door has always had a whopping great big hole (rats, probably) that only she can squeeze into. Just inside the door, I've put a happy hutch/ cat box down and I tend to just open the top stable door and put her food on top of this hutch (talking to her all the time, of course). The barn itself is full of clutter - it would be virtually impossible for me to get more than a few feet inside the door without moving various and sundry bits of old farm machinery and furniture. Moreover, there's no electricity or lighting in there. As such, it's a wonderful hideaway for my timid little girl. She can also get out through the back, as there are a couple of slats missing - again, I don't think the other two can get in through these slats. Indeed, there was a time when I'd often see LC round the back of the barns and, more often than not (particularly if I was in the car rather than on foot), she'd sit near these slats and let me have a chat with her rather than actually dash back in. Once at some point around Christmas, Rudi and I were having a mammoth 'love-in' nearby and she sat and watched us from c. 20-30 feet away for a good 15 minutes, ready to dash back through her slat hole if needed - good old Rudi seemed to not care and he must have been able to see her.

So the news is a little more positive. As yet, the trap hasn't turned up. When it does, I plan to take the happy hutch out of the barn and put the trap in its stead, feeding LC as follows:

1) for a few days, alongside the trap

2) then, for a few days, in the trap (but not primed), probably pushing the food back a little further every day

3) and then actually set/ prime the trap

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey as it were. So it might be 2 weeks yet till I get her seen. Here's hoping this is a good plan!
 

feralvr

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AND a good plan it TIS :lol3: PERFECT REPORT!!!!!!!!! :clap::clap::clap: I am SO happy that LC is enjoying the special roasted chicken you are offering her daily. SO she is getting very special attention. Keep up with that roasted chicken - that may be your saving grace to getting her trapped :cross: AWW I am so glad thing's have improved and LC's barn sound JUST heavenly for a feral cat's home... so many little nock's and crannies to hide in, a front and back entrance with lots of little holes here and there. She certainly sounds like a teeny Little Cow :kitty2: I would say she is pretty darn happy right now :heart3: :D Great news :hugs::clap:
 

ldg

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AND a good plan it TIS :lol3: PERFECT REPORT!!!!!!!!! :clap::clap::clap: I am SO happy that LC is enjoying the special roasted chicken you are offering her daily. SO she is getting very special attention. Keep up with that roasted chicken - that may be your saving grace to getting her trapped :cross: AWW I am so glad thing's have improved and LC's barn sound JUST heavenly for a feral cat's home... so many little nock's and crannies to hide in, a front and back entrance with lots of little holes here and there. She certainly sounds like a teeny Little Cow :kitty2: I would say she is pretty darn happy right now :heart3: :D Great news :hugs::clap:
:yeah: "A teeny Little Cow." :lol3:

Oh it sounds like a PERFECT set up! AND a good plan! :cross: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: !!!!!!!
 
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dunnyboy69

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thanks guys....it's a lovely set-up for her for sure, but I want her out and about more and definitely not pooping in there (as she is clearly doing at the mo)!! 

This time last year, sightings like I had of her today were commonplace, not the exception.

It's almost exactly a year since we trapped Rudi (and gave him his sex change ;-)) On the day he was caught, I sat watching the baited trap all day while I worked at home. On that day she must've come into the courtyard on no less than 5-6 occasions...she was climbing up everything, playing with leaves .... you name it. Basically a big feral kitten.

And, of course, at this time last year she was bringing her Dad regular 'presents' ... moles were her particular favourite (and mine) - the damage they do is quite staggering!

So let's hope she has decided to show herself more often. That way I'll keep the roast chicken coming .....
 
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