Feral mother and kitten-Kitten is missing, where is it?

Last Tuesday, I spotted a black and white feral female in the same area where we park our John Deere Gator for work.  Upon closer inspection, I found a small, white kitten too.  It didn't try and run and I picked it up and cuddled it.  The mother kept an eye out but put space between us.  I went back later that afternoon and put out food and a towel for the kitten to sleep on.  It was under a shelter in a space that doesn't see too much coming and going, aside from us and maintenance workers.  The whole equipment yard is also fenced in (not massively huge).  I've been putting food out everyday since then and have also been holding the kitten.  It has/ had gooky eyes and I've been trying to keep them clean.  This past Tuesday, July 23, I went as usual and didn't see hide nor hair of mom or kitten.  I put food out and called and looked under the equipment and didn't see them.  I finally found them a short distance away under a mower (that hasn't moved in a while).  Mom ran off and I pulled the kitten out and moved it back to its towel.  Same thing happened when I went back in the afternoon.  I went out yesterday and the kitten was hanging around its towel, so I thought everything was good.  I went out this morning and Mango (the mother) was waiting for her breakfast but I did not see Snowman (the kitten) anywhere.  I looked around the yard, under the equipment, and tried to look around in the woods (which sort of surround the fence).  No Mango (mom) and no Snowman (kitten) when I went back over at lunch.  

Have I messed up?  Has she moved her kitten?  I think he's old enough to be weaned which is what I was going to try and do in the next couple of days.  I only held and cuddled him because I thought it would help socialize him.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated because I want to find Snowman and I want to get Mango fixed before she can have another litter.  I am worried that if I go ahead and trap Mango, I may never find Snowman if he stays gone.

One more thing, I saw a fellow this past Tuesday, July 23) who said that he had also been keeping an eye on them.  He told me that there was another kitten that was smaller than Snowman.  I have never seen another kitten, but I plan on shining a light under the storage buildings that Mango likes to hide under.  I don't think this fellow would've taken the kitten.

Thanks friends!!!

Something may have gotten to the kitten or he/she may have died otherwise.  (Goopy eyes is usually an indication of an upper respiratory infection - pretty common in outside/feral cats).   If you do see either kitten, take them now and bring them inside.  They'll need decent vet care and decent food.  Are you able to adopt them yourself or find a home for them?

If the kitten is old enough to be weaned, he may have wandered off.  Mango may also be at the end of taking care of him (and she may already be pregnant).  I would trap Mango ASAP and have her fixed and given her vaccinations.  Is she going back outside?  Then she definitely needs her shots.

Thank you for caring for them!

I am hoping Snowman is up under a storage barn and will reappear because I plan on taking home.  Yes, I plan on doing a TNR with Mango plus shots and returning her to her "wild" home.  

Thanks, Ondine, for responding! :-)

Good luck with them all!

Aw - thank you for trying to help Snowman and Mango. There very well could be other kittens too. Best thing would be to set up that feeding station and offer enticing wet food each and everyday at the same time. If you are able, and see Snowman again, it may be best to snatch him up and get him to the vet asap. He may be have an URI (Herpes virus of the eyes) and needs medical attention. This is very common with stray kittens, unfortunately. They are lucky that you are there and have noticed them. If you see more kittens under the storage barn and can pick them up to bring them in, that would be best. You can then set a trap for Mango for her TNR. You have a good plan! All my best in your efforts and keep us updated.

I went back a little bit ago and found him!  :-)  So, he's coming home when I get off work (he's on the back of my chair).  I have been putting out wet food on a daily basis along with dry food and water.  He's the only kitten I have seen, but I plan on looking hard tomorrow.  Mango will be getting trapped on Monday (if everything works out).

Thanks for the support!!

Vibes that all goes well.  Thank you for helping - and getting this done so quickly.

I finally got Snowman to eat wet food this morning and a little bit of mushy dry food.  He still hasn't drunk water or pooped.  I tried stimulating him like a mother and all I got was a pee pee.  He also cries a lot.  Will he go number 2?  Is he crying just because?  His little mews are so pitiful and break my heart.  We're going to try and get him to the vet this afternoon.

Everything he's know up to now has changed, so he's probably a little distressed.  If he's peeing when you stimulate, he will eventually poop.  Glad you are getting him to the vet.  You will then know exactly how old he is.  The vet can help determine his/her gender, too and whether he needs worming or other medication.

If you can, try adding some KMR (kitten milk replacement) formula to the wet food.  The mushier it is, the better.  (Of course, it will be messier, too!)

Good job!  Vibes you get mommy soon...

So happy to hear you have little Snowman. I would agree that getting him to the vet would be the best thing right now. I wonder how old he is?! Agree that adding the KMR would be beneficial and you could even put some on your finger and gently put it into his mouth. There is also syringe feeding if necessary and a how-to link follows. Very gently add a teeny amount into the side of his mouth. Good luck with trapping Mango and hopefully IF there are any other kittens you will find them. All my best

video link:
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/227858/syringe-feeding-lucky-video-if-your-cat-is-not-eating