Found kittens. Have had for day. Will mother disown?

Found 2 kittens under my wood pile yesterday. They are 2-3 weeks old. Eyes opened and crawling around. I saw the mother this morning looking around where they were.

Will she disown them if I put them back where I found them? I didn't know she was around and they are resisting bottle feeding. I can't get them to eat without being a bit forceful.

Please help.

Kittens are eating a bit now. Seems they like to be fed in their box. I was taking them out to feed them. Maybe it was because I separated them to eat?

Good they are eating now.  What are you giving them?

the site www.kitten-rescue.com is useful for founded abandoned kittens.  There are also other good sites, tell us so we will give you adresses (or PM OrientalSlave)

To your question: the chance is pretty good the mom will take them back. The problem is, you must leave them out when she is around, so you are 100% sure they will be found by her.   She will probably NOT be scared by your scent on them - this is basically a myth for cats. Although it may be true for wild rabbits and deer kids.

Otherwise, if not mom founds them, they will perish, being totally defenceless. It may perhaps not even be enough if you are keeping an eye on them, sitting quietly on watch.  A raven may take them literally in seconds.

If it is feasible for you to take them, nurse (lots work as yet!), it may be an option though. A little early, but This way you are sure they will be fostered and adopted.

Taking them much earlier than home raised cats is always an option with ferales/semiferales. IF there is some good foster / adoption home waiting.

Thus, if you want to take on you this burden of raising them etc...  It is an option.

If the mom still patruls around and search after them - you can leave them back and be quite optimistic.

But keep an eye, sitting quietly on watch from some distance, so no predator or curious kid comes inbetween...

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

I have already fell in love with these two little siblings so I do want to keep them and do the best I can. They are both now drinking from a bottle. not a lot but its a start, and eating soft kitten food from a bottle cap. I did the dap thing to make them poop but they have only peed since I got them. Im worried about them not pooping. Is there anything else I can do to make them poop?

StefanZ thanks for all your help. I really do appreciate it.

Don't worry about them not pooping right now.  Stimulate them each time they eat and they will eventually go.  I wouldn't put them back if you are willing to care for them like you are now they have a much better chance at a happy, healthy life staying with you.  Imagine what would have happened to them if they were found by a predator?  Years ago I bottle fed orphaned puppies and kittens and a shelter called me and asked if I could take the only surviving kitten because a group of kids killed the others with rocks.  They chased the mother away and they crushed her babies while she watched.  

Lefterson said:

 They are both now drinking from a bottle. not a lot but its a start, and eating soft kitten food from a bottle cap.

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watered soft kitten food can be tried in an emergency as you see, but real kitten milk replacement (kmr, with KMR a wellknown brand) is best.  Goat milk works OK, but not cow milk.

About the poop, some experienced forumites simply set them behind end in running, warm water...    Drying up afterwards of course.  Not too warm, but as cats body temp is warmer than humans, it shall feel a little more than lukewarm to you

Another good site is this:  http://www.fabcats.org/owners/kittens/handrearing.html.

As you seems to want to proceed to raise them yourself, I shall ask a mod to move your tread into the Pregnant and kitten care.

They are no SOS strays no more,now they are rescued and owned small kittens.

Dont forget to name them,  AND we love pics!

Good luck!     *vibes*

ps.   If you have any possibiliity to plan on TNR the mom, please think on it too.

To be honest, if they are in a reasonably safe place and you can keep an eye on them they woud be better off witht heir mother at this stage if you can get her to accept them back. The mother does all sorts of things for her kittens besides feed them, hte most important being socialising skills so that they behave well. Is there any chance youy can get the mother trappend and inside too? Then they would would all be safe.

jennyranson said:

 Is there any chance youy can get the mother trappend and inside too? Then they would would all be safe.

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right, it is not seldom possible to use the kittens as bait. The mom going in voluntarily into the house, or into a suitable laid trap, to get to the kittens.

THIS alternative would be the optimal.

The mother will likely get mastitis if she is not nursing any other kittens, as they are at an age where she would be producing a lot of milk for them.  See if you can call your local animal control or shelter to get a live trap.  If you can reunite them in your home that would be best since they can have mom and get human socialization.  If mom is feral then at least you could have her spayed and then released. 

Good luck.