- Joined
- Oct 11, 2021
- Messages
- 16
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Hello all! Firstly, thank you for reading this post! A week ago, I brought three feral kittens from the farmyard at my house inside my home, in the hope of taming them to rehome (I am considering keeping them however). They are now around 5 weeks old. Whilst I do not have a cage, I am lucky to have a small room just off my lounge, where they are currently residing quite happily (lots of playing, sleeping, playing again...and are kneading the ground after eating, so seem very happy!). I have a 'guard' in the doorway, so I am visible to them at all times (I work from home from my lounge) and I am sitting with them and attempting interactive play for 3-4 hours a day. My questions, which I would appreciate any advice on, are:
1 - How often should I feed them? I am currently putting out milk or wet food at 12pm, 4pm, 8pm and 12am, however they do not come near it when I put it out, they tend to graze. I also have hard nuggets out at all times. I realise this is madness and taming ferals needs to be done via food, however I am totally clueless about how much kittens eat and also have trawled the internet for information on this, and have ended up confused!
2 - Touching the ferals. I have managed to lift each of them maybe once or twice, and they have responded well once lifted, however it is getting harder to catch them, and also I do not want to distress them. I have been advised to keep trying to lift them with a blanket a few times a day, and I have also been advised to wait and let them come to me, which will happen over time, helped by interactive play. So yep... I am confused again!
I honestly will appreciate any help or advice. The back story - I moved into this farmhouse about 6 months ago, there were 5-7 feral cats then. This number swiftly went up to 17. I am now permanently residing in the farmhouse and after realising the extent of the issue - I am addressing it - I have TNR teams coming out for the 14 ferals outside and have 'my three' (the youngest kittens) inside with me now.
Thank you again!
Jules
1 - How often should I feed them? I am currently putting out milk or wet food at 12pm, 4pm, 8pm and 12am, however they do not come near it when I put it out, they tend to graze. I also have hard nuggets out at all times. I realise this is madness and taming ferals needs to be done via food, however I am totally clueless about how much kittens eat and also have trawled the internet for information on this, and have ended up confused!
2 - Touching the ferals. I have managed to lift each of them maybe once or twice, and they have responded well once lifted, however it is getting harder to catch them, and also I do not want to distress them. I have been advised to keep trying to lift them with a blanket a few times a day, and I have also been advised to wait and let them come to me, which will happen over time, helped by interactive play. So yep... I am confused again!
I honestly will appreciate any help or advice. The back story - I moved into this farmhouse about 6 months ago, there were 5-7 feral cats then. This number swiftly went up to 17. I am now permanently residing in the farmhouse and after realising the extent of the issue - I am addressing it - I have TNR teams coming out for the 14 ferals outside and have 'my three' (the youngest kittens) inside with me now.
Thank you again!
Jules