A few trapping Q's

Any input welcome!  These questions pertain to trapping kittens, 8-ish weeks.

Is it best to stagger the traps in a small area or lay them side-by-side?

How many hours after their last meal should the traps be set?  

If one or two kittens are caught in a trap and the rest run and hide, how long should I wait to reset the traps?  

I'll add more to this thread if something pops into my head.  

Thank you for reading    

I withhold food for at least 12 hours, or skip a meal, since these are kittens. If the cat were adult and or the cat has proven itself to be trap savvy or particularly skittish, then 24 hours. Are these kittens from the same litter? I'm not sure which would work better, side by side or spread. Do the kittens hang around together? Whether to stagger depends I think on the cats, I normally spread out the traps, like behind bushes. But I am usually dealing with adult cats. The problem with closeness of traps is that when the trap is set, it is loud and the cat may cry, yell, etc. Any way you can use a drop trap? I reset the trap immediately, I set my expectations low, but you have nothing to lose. Good luck.

Ritz said:

I withhold food for at least 12 hours, or skip a meal, since these are kittens. If the cat were adult and or the cat has proven itself to be trap savvy or particularly skittish, then 24 hours. Are these kittens from the same litter? I'm not sure which would work better, side by side or spread. Do the kittens hang around together? Whether to stagger depends I think on the cats, I normally spread out the traps, like behind bushes. But I am usually dealing with adult cats. The problem with closeness of traps is that when the trap is set, it is loud and the cat may cry, yell, etc. Any way you can use a drop trap? I reset the trap immediately, I set my expectations low, but you have nothing to lose. Good luck.

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The kittens usually eat together- yes, they all belong to the same litter- and I'd had the same thought about a drop trap, but none of the local rescues have one.  The rescue org. that's going to assist with vet fees and adoption loaned me one and I've had to beg and borrow from fellow cat ladies to get two more.  One of which is a chipmunk trap (!), so I hope someone's willing to climb inside it.  

Maybe I could compromise on placement and stagger them slightly, keeping them near each other but not side-by-side.  I had to postpone trapping (was supposed to do it yesterday) because it's taking longer than expected to get the kittens' room ready.  Tomorrow should be the Big Day.  I'll put your advice to good use.  Thanks!    

Need input!  What should I do? I have the opportunity to buy a drop trap at a discounted price, but that means I'd have to wait until next week to trap the kittens.  The drop trap would, however, be easier to use and less stressful for everyone involved.  If I continue to work on socializing them outdoors, do you think it would be OK to wait a little longer before bringing them inside?   (Mama cat has somewhat accepted me and will even leave and go off adventuring while I'm playing with the kittens- no contact yet, just using Da Bird).  

ETA: Nevermind.  I decided to go with the drop trap and bring those little rascals in as a group.  I was particularly worried about the littlest, who is the most skittish and sensitive of the bunch.  I couldn't risk him evading the traps and ending up outside all alone and frightened.  

When my husband was catching a set of 4 feral kittens, who were about 6-8 weeks old, he used his TNR crate (it's about 3 feet long).  He started by feeding the kittens a plate of wet food a couple times a day.  He then placed the crate in the same spot and put the food plate in the back of the crate, with the door tied to stay open.  All kittens got used to eating in there.  A couple days later, he set the door with a long pull string and waited till they were all in the crate eating before he dropped the string and closed the door.  Kittens easily caught and re-homed. 

He's used the same method when trying to catch single adults.  A couple nights before a neuter appointment, he reduces the food dispenser output so the cats are hungry.  He puts a small can of food in the crate with the door secured open, to get them used to going into the crate.  Then, the night before a neuter appointment, he sets the door to close if triggered. 

@LCat4 if it's not too much trouble could you post a photo of your husband's TNR crate? I have used carriers and dog cages in that manner, but have to take weeks (sometimes months) to inch close enough, day by day, to close the door. I'd love to see how the rope works to close the door. Thanks!

Susank521 said:

 
@LCat4 if it's not too much trouble could you post a photo of your husband's TNR crate? I have used carriers and dog cages in that manner, but have to take weeks (sometimes months) to inch close enough, day by day, to close the door. I'd love to see how the rope works to close the door. Thanks!

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I would love to see a pic too!!