Talkative feral cat?

There is a feral or semi feral cat that showed up about a year and a half ago. He or she has a nick in the ear so I am guessing it was caught, fixed and released.

Is it normal for a feral cat to be so talkative? I dubbed this cat Buddy.

Buddy will meow until I feed him and will just chatter away.

Its taken a year and a half to get him within 2 feet from me but he still acts skittish yet talks to me alot.

He is also being picky with the food I give him so I give in and feed him several types of canned cat food and leftover cat foods my cats dont finish.

Will there ever be a time where Buddy will let me pet him?

Have you tried taking a toy out and playing with Buddy?  Some cats are just touch-me-nots, even non feral ones... just like people.  It sounds like Buddy is looking for more than just food when he hangs out with you though. 

I have tried playing with him but hes not into it. He did play with a stick for a few seconds when I used that as a toy. I have given him catnip but he doesnt like that either.

He will hang around me outside if I am out there and if I have the backdoor open with the screen closed he will meow back and forth to my indoor talkative cat.

When I first met Buddy he would only get within 20 feet of me and would even hiss at me, even if I put food out.

Its actually huge progress I can get within two feet and he may act skittish but doesnt run off.

He actually will come when I call him, will call me looking for me and runs towards me but then will hide under something or do a quick right turn abd run past me.

He sounds like he may have been socialized as a kitten or perhaps younger cat, then got lost or abandoned and has learned feral ways.  True ferals have  no need for vocalizations as they speak to one another very clearly with body language and the occasional hiss or growl.

Keep up the good work!

What should I do about him being picky with food now. He only wants to eat fancy feast and only certain flavors. Originally he would eat anything and I fed him Friskies wet.

Is he being fed by someone else?  That would mean he's no longer hungry and is now being a little picky.  If you can find out if he's dining elsewhere, perhaps you coordinate with that person.

If you can afford it, feed him what he will eat.  How times a day does he eat?  Fancy Feast can be pricey but if he only eats half a can at a time, you can stretch a can a day.  Does he eat kibble?  That might help bring the costs down, too.  A bowl of wet and a bowl of dry per day.

As far as I know I am the only one that feeds him. He has taken up residence in my families wooden shed. I do give him kibble too and cat treats. I think I may have just spoiled him. I feed him 4 to 5 times a day and sometimes he eats alot and sometimes not as much.

He is actually hitting me up for food for the second time today. He sees me and comes running to me and stops within 2 to 4 feet. Its progress though.

I built him a shelter too with straw and he still seems to prefer the wooden shed.

He seems to have decided this is his home now and just stays here all the time in the back or goes to the front looking for me no too.

Yes, when they decide this is "home" we have very little to say about it!

It sounds like he may be getting a little too much to eat, so cut back to two meals a day.  One can be wet and the other kibble - or both can be wet, if you can afford it.  If he seems hungrier, three times a day is plenty.

As long as he has a warm space to sleep, the shed is fine.

You may want to schedule a vet visit just to be on the safe side.  He'll probably need updates on his vaccines and a combo test won't hurt.  It will give you information about his health - whether he's been exposed to FELV or FIV.  They can also check to make sure his ear nick is from being TNR'd or whether it was from a fight.  If the latter, he'll need to be neutered.

As soon as I can tame him down I will take him to the vet. I can only get within 2 to 4 feet from him.and he runs off still or hides under something.