We’re not sure what we have at the moment but our feral cats have been busy. It seems more than 1 have been impregnated by their “brothers” and one “Caz” was certainly showing so we were expecting some little ones. Sherry set up a maternity room (box) in our feed room in the barn.
We were surprised to see not “Caz” in there but instead learned that “Mister Fatty Pants” is actually a “Missy Fatty Pants” as she was lounging in there with 6 not so new kitties. She must have birthed them elsewhere as they suddenly appeared in the box and look to be at least a week old already.
Knowing Caz still had to pop, Sherry set up another box. MFP moved her family back into the barn under the steps and has since disappeared with all of them.
Caz finally started popping them out but I believe she is having great difficulty. A few were born dead and we think a critter might have gotten a few as well (maybe the lurking possum family). We need to remember, none of these ferals had a mama around for very long as she died while they were still quite young and Caz seems overwhelmed with it all – not knowing what to do.
Then, Sherry noticed this one all alone, freezing cold, near death and no mama in anywhere to be found so she took it inside and started caring for it. We named it “Yoda” and while only a few days old, she is already doing much better.
Considering the shape she was in when she found it, I am really surprised she survived but now a few days into it, she seems like she’s going to make it.
As for the others, we do not know. Maybe we’ll never see them again – and that would be OK with us. Either way, we’ll take whatever comes our way. We heard many folks in the area welcome new kittens (especially the Amish) so not too worried about being overrun… yet.
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Hey, Bill, Sherry! I love your posts. We moved to Slayton (pop 1945) in 2021. Surrounded by cornfields, soybeans, racoon’s, feral cats, and my person favorites, turkey vultures. Myron is related to 50% of the population, went to school with the other 50% so he slid right in but it’s been a learning endeavor for me. I think I like country living. It seems you do, too!! Love and Hugs, Briars and Beetles….
The further we get into it, I realize that THIS is the real me and the previous Lakeville me was a total facade. Here, you can just use common sense and some ingenuity to solve pretty much anything, without worrying about what anyone else thinks.
Thanks for checking in.
I realize feral cats are sort of insignificant, but sadly Yoda died around 5am this morning. On the positive side, Sherry discovered another similar newly born (about a day or 2 older than the previous patient) now occupying the recovery ward in her office. Besides that, all of the other weeks old kitties (6 or 7) were scurrying about in the barn store room so likely looking for a free meal – which they immediately got. Since they seem to come and go at their leisure, we’re not sure what will remain but we’ll take them as they come and peddle off as many as we can.
I feel terrible for poor little Yoda…..it would be hard not to get attached to all those kitties. Do they let you pet them or do they freak out if you try to touch them? My only experience with feral kitties….you couldn’t catch one to save your soul!!!
I enjoy reading your blogs on farm life. I’m always looking at the weather in your area.
Did you get a good glimpse of the eclipse from your vantage point? Nothing unusual in Florida, but we could see it at about 65% with the glasses. We can see some pretty good space Launches from the driveway!
I posted a bit of a feral cat update on the Gods Creatures page. Or click here.