Screaming Kittens

Goodness me the kitten season here in New Zealand has hit us with a bang at our little rescue. In the last week i've seen 22 kittens come in through my doors and out to foster carers. All under 6 weeks old as well! This is highly unusual for us.

Anyway so last night I got in 5 little tabbies, about 3.5weeks old or there abouts. They were found in a milling machine at our local saw mill - THANKFULLY a boy doing work experience found them - he seems to think someone has put them in there, not their mama.

They were filthy, smelly, starving and very cold. I've fed them on formula and given them a bath and they've screamed for the last 14 hours or so! I'm guessing they're still scared and miss their mama right? They're having a wee sniff at baby kitten biscuits (we use Royal Canin Baby Kitten) for our weaners.

I've heated a towel every hour to keep them warm which worked really well, but in your guys experience, how long until they settle? I've NEVER had kittens behave like this (mostly I take on teeny bottle feeders and they're pretty quiet). Help? lol.

Cheers

Alex

Bless you!  They are probably scared to death, poor dears.  Is there a possibility you can find their mom?  She's probably feeling as upset as they are.

I think you are doing everything right, though, and hopefully, they calm down when they realize they are safe.

It takes them a while to settle. I rescued a 3 week old left for dead and her and her siblings would cry for some time. Once they realize they are safe and fed they will be a bit more at ease. You are doing a good job with them, it is just scary for young babies to be without mom

hello and well done taking them in! , we are in the process of caring for feral kittens , the youngest was 1 day old and the rest are maybe 6 days older but all have been in our care since the first day , my partner feeds them 4-5 times a day , during the night she feeds them at 1am and 630am , which for some people is an eye opening experience lol , but they need to feel loved , and rubbed constantly we have found , when they are full put them straight to bed , it really helps if you have a box with a electric blanket wrapped around it , as we have found tey exert to much fat trying to keep warm

and hello from a fellow kiwi living in australia and good luck!