Transition from indoor kitty to barn cat...HELP!

[AliCat518]

The kittens we found dumped in the driveway are now almost 14 weeks old. They will be getting neutered in a few weeks. We took them in knowing that we did not want “indoor kitties” and that they would become barn cats when they got big enough.

So, its almost that time. I’m a bit sad and also scared/nervous for the poor kittens.

At what age is it safe for them to go out? (They will have a kitty door into the feed room and this is where they will be fed/have beds).
They are both less than 3.5lbs…is this big enough?
What are the best ways to transition them from indoor to outdoor?

[Nes]

Start feeding them outdoors, lock them in the feed room at night (with a litter) for a few weeks, they’ll transition quickly, they are young.

You can always have indoor/outdoor kitties

[JB]

Start taking them outside for supervised play time. You want them to understand that this is still home.

At 3.5lb, they are prime target for eagles, so be careful.

I would not leave food out in the barn - that invites raccoons and possum. What a kitty can get to, those critters can. So, when they do fully transition, feed them in the morning in their cage/room, then take the food up when you let them out for the day. Give them dinner when you lock them up at night. If they are young enough when you transition them, you can leave them with free choice food all night as long as their room is not some place another animal can get into

[fivehorses]

My lone cat knows when its time to come in at night. I only feed him at night, so he is more than happy to come in. I have trained him, to go out in the morning, but in at night.
We have too many predators around here for him to be out at night.

[Shiaway]

It will never be “safe” for them to be outside. Acknowledge that now and be prepared to lose one or two or all.

[Carol_Ames]

sadly, true

@Shiaway;5795802

It will never be “safe” for them to be outside. Acknowledge that now and be prepared to lose one or two or all.:(:sadsmile:

[Carol_Ames]

adoption?

Are there other barn cats who, might “adopt” them? If not, I would wait until they are bigger; do take them outside for playtime"At some point they will follow you to the barn; at this stage now, they can easily be mistaken for mice/ rats; I know Jack Russels who, would happily catch/ kill:cry: them like mice:eek:. Wait until they are bigger and more used to the great outdoors:lol:. It’s amazing how many creatures, raccoons/ possums/ foxes/ snakes wander into barns at night and might mistake :(:sadsmile:them for a meal:eek:

[AliCat518]

We have been taking them out in the large backyard (supervised) to get them acquainted with the great outdoors. They seem more comfortable with it, but still wont venture too far without us.

Unfortunately, the barn is not directly connected to our property. Its 3 driveways down and CAN be reached by walking through the woods, but its a pretty long walk.

There is one cat that ive seen on our property (must belong to a neighboring farm) and perhaps she will hang out with them and teach them her outdoor ways. Dont want to count on it though!

They’re getting neutered in 2 weeks and im going to try to convince SO that we need to keep them inside til theyre a bit bigger! Would 5 lbs be a better size to let them out?

We lost a few barn cats at my parents farm when I was younger and it will break my heart if we lose these guys. Found them when they were 2-3 weeks, tiny and starved. They’re my babies!

[Nlevie]

Yes I agree - wait till they have recovered form their surgery and then start taking them to the barn. I would keep them in at night with their food, etc, but yes at some point a racoon or other such critter may also find the food source. The other concern I would have is stray/wild cats - I had to quit leaving food in the barn for that reason. I didn’t mind feeding them, but then my cats would fight with them, so now they just get dry food in the garage and come in the house in the evenings for their wet food. That encourages them to stick around the house - but my house and barn are close so they still patrol the barn as well.

[fivehorses]

Is there a reason you didn’t rehome them?
3.5 pounds does not make a good barn cat in my book. They are too vulnerable.

I hope you have a secure place in your barn for them at night.
I really don’t understand why they now need to become barn cats after 14 weeks. That should have been an ongoing process. Especially if your barn is 3 driveways down from your house.

Cats are predators, but they are also preyed upon.
You have raised them in an environment you don’t plan on allowing them to continue to live in. I don’t get that.
The barn should have been their home from the start if that was your intention.
Again, repeat, I hope you have a secure place for them, tack room, etc in the barn. If not, you won’t have them very long.

[fordtraktor]

I don’t do barn cats – we have hawks and coyotes. Too much heartbreak. If you will be heartbroken to lose them, keep them inside.

[Shiaway]

Kittens get adopted quickly so maybe you can find new homes for them? It would be a lot kinder to them.

[wildlifer]

Shiaway is right – it’s not a safe place for them. I would recommend finding homes for them or keeping them in. An unsupervised outdoor life is not appropriate for a cat for many reasons, even though it is common practice.