I didn't base their age estimate by their size alone, it is also by their motor skills, etc.
If they are any younger at all, it's not more than a week or so.
If they are any younger at all, it's not more than a week or so.
Since when are we experts?
I didn't base their age estimate by their size alone, it is also by their motor skills, etc.
If they are any younger at all, it's not more than a week or so.
I'm still about 20ft away from them, and any sudden moves and they run off, but not as fast as before.
They are getting much more brave. It really is time to get them. When you say TNR, that means Trap Neuter Release. I don't think you intend to release any of them back into the wild, do you? It will be difficult to judge how feral the mother is, but the sooner with those kittens, the better.
for an really good outcome.
As a matter of fact I am
Since when are we experts?
LOL!
I believe animals... and cats included, can teach us loads!!!
Moms who have a sick/weak or dead kitten (not usually dead since she would have done something about it before it died and not after) take them as far away from the rest of the litter and abandon them to die.
Last thing I want ask is, what do mothers do to kittens that dead. Eat them or bury them?
I have not seen the other kitten for nearly 8 days, so it is gone.
It did look weak and seemed to have a seizure when it ate once.
sigh... I think i was eaten... there is no smell!You will need to trap them and neuter them all or they will breed. Cats do not know they are brother and sister and will mate together (or with their mother) as soon as they are old enough. They will not need one shelter each - they will probably prefer to be together for warmth in the winter.
As for dead kittens, the momcat will not usually bury them. She may eat them, especially if they are very young, to stop predators finding the nest. It is possible that something else has eaten the dead one, or it may be lying about somewhere
I don't care how old they are, I still going to rescue and adopt the whole lot.
As a matter of fact I am
I have a cat rescue group and have had literally countless litters of kittens, I also do alot of feral tnr's and have for 11 years, so I know feral born kittens as well, which tend to be smaller than home born kittens.
So a 10 week estimate is probably pretty darn close.
If those kittens were in front of me so I could see them in person, I can tell you their age within one week. Under 4 weeks and I can tell within 3-4 days.
If they were infact 5 weeks old, you would easily be able to catch them in your hands. These guys would tear your hands up........
I thought the same thing too. Our mama cat gave birth barely 4 months after the litter we were catching and it had already turned cold in the States. She was spayed 3 days after she gave birth. Thankfully she took the newborns back after she got home, but they can and do get prego in the winter specially if someone is feeding them.
Ok,
So I have mailed many feral rescue organisations here in South Africa.
All of them claiming have their hands full because:
"Winter is coming"
Sorry for the Game of Thrones pun, but winter is coming to the southern hemisphere, it explains the thick coat on the mother.
Cats are not stupid!!!
This mother had her kittens before it got cold in SA. She is looking after them before and during the winter.
I seriously doubt she is pregnant, she would be a silly to have kittens again during winter, especially when she is looking after this lot.
BTW. the diameter of the bowl is +/-10cm or 4inches.
Unless SA kittens grow quicker and thicker than normal, I doubt those kittens are 10 weeks.
My friend at SPCA says that video is deceiving in kittens age.
I hope you guys can prove me wrong!
anyways got 2 videos uploading on YouTube.
First one has the mother still breastfeeding the kittens before eating.
Second one is about still feeding family, but the grey/white decide to play with my camera and takes it down!
I'll post when the videos come online!