New farm two pregnant barn kitties. New pics 7/20

I used pelleted bedding for my barn kitties after I saw they were using the bedding in the stalls for their needs. Wouldn’t even need to fluff it up for her. Of course once she came into the house, given her choice, she preferred kitty litter (now that she was a proper HOUSE kitty :wink: )

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You are Slaves to the Kindle!
:smirk_cat::smirk_cat::smirk_cat::bowing_woman::bowing_man:‍♂:smirk_cat::smirk_cat: <Bow to the Kitten Overlords

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Lol! :joy:

Polly and Louisa’s kittens are three weeks old this week. They are getting much more active. Victoria’s kittens are two weeks. She’s keeping all six fed and happy.

Victoria doesn’t like the phone. She gets defensive when she sees it. She’s a little nicer without it.

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Do I need to worry about their slightly droopy ears? Is that a sign of dehydration or anemia? They don’t seem to have fleas because we treated the mothers right before they were born. Next week, we start offering a little supplemental feed. Stage 2 KMR

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Kittens’ ears don’t stand up straight for a few weeks after they are born.

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Okay, thank you. I remember the little flea ridden orphans we took on last summer had droopy ears when we found them, but looking at those old pictures, they were much worse and those babies were four weeks old.

Oh,they’re so cute!! Victoria is a very good momma… guarding her babies from that evil phone. Lol

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I just realized that these kittens will not be barn cats because their mamas will not be able to teach them how to hunt. I know it’s instinctive with cats, but mama cats still teach some of the finer points. They will also not know how to hide from predators. Mama cats will not be spayed in time and cannot teach them how to survive. They need house cat homes.

The vet said that while they could spay a cat who was lactating, it’s more complicated. Much easier surgery if they dry up first.

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I am guessing both those things are instinct so they should be fine in a barn.

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To some extent, yes, but every region is different and it does help to have someone show you the ropes. We’re keeping our neutered Florida barn cat in the workshop until he can befriend the mama cats (once they are spayed) and pick up some local survival skills. Barn cats here have a high mortality rate. Not looking after a nest of kittens ever again will help these lady cats stay safe. Locking all the barn cats up at night with food and shelter will also help. At the end of all this, we’ll have Ralph, Polly, Louisa, and Victoria on rat duty.

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Wow, these little guys are really getting more active. We’ll start with Victoria’s kindle this time. They are up and out more today.

Polly and Louisa’s crew is starting to play with each other more.

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Victoria has such a beautiful face!
Everyone is adorable.

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Victoria is SO serious! I love her!

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Victoria still seems very protective. I don’t think she’s going to tame down any time soon. And look at all the tabby babies. It won’t be hard to find that dad.

Just wait til they are all able to scamper about. That would be so fun to watch.

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So many cute faces!

I almost pet her again today. I think once the babies are on their own, I can forge a stronger bond with her.

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OP, our current barn cat was a kitten we found in bad shape, alone, in an abandoned shed at three weeks old. Her mama could not have taught her much. She’s the best barn cat ever - slays the vermin and steers clear of predators. She’s six or seven years old. Our current indoor/outdoor house cat is the mightiest hunter we’ve ever had - again, plucked from a bad situation very young. Young enough that we had to feed her with an eyedropper. So, I bet yours will do fine in a barn!

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That is reassuring. I hope most of the kittens get indoor homes, but many people do the indoor/outdoor thing around here.

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Wow, Victoria is NOT happy about the photography, is she?!

Those kittens are so freaking cute. Thank you for my kitten fix - because heaven knows I don’t need any more of my own!!!

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