The rubbermaid containers are super cheap and easy peasy to make. Check online for pictures and examples. I made two the first winter I had my feral. Yet, he hated the straw. He instead went to my neighbors and slept under their screened porch up against their house. The mylar blankets are super cheap too and do help with some added insulation.For sure take the blankets out and put straw in. If wet, the blankets will acually wick heat away from the cat. An old carrier is okay, it's better than no shelter, but the ideal shelter is a rubbermaid tote with insulation and straw inside. Cut a hole so that when situated, the cat has just enough room to get in and make sure it is facing away from the direction the wind usually blows. Put ALOT of straw in it. The cat will actually burrow into the straw and move it around where it wants. After a few days, if you take the lid off of the tote, you'll see a perfectly round bowl shaped indentation where the cat curled up. I also add a mylar survival blanket (not absorbant) to the bottom of the tote, insulation, some cedar chips will help keep bugs out and then the straw. I also give it a dusting of diotamaceous earth to combat fleas or ticks on the cat.
Interesting question. I myself think the connection is if they are pals with the mom, so they will be pals and protectors of the kittens too.Partly hoping Patience will leave some food for him, but he waits for her to finish eating and it seems to be partly for the company. He is very tolerant of the kittens sniffing him out and they of him. Do tomcats recognize their mates and offspring?