Kitten

[justbugged]

I would just put down some cat food for it. A good quality kibble should do it. I don’t give them canned until they are healthy enough for it. Canned make taming go much quicker, but it will upset a young kittens bowels.

It is easy enough to tame them after you have been feeding them. The twins only allow me to pet them while I am feeding them. There a cost to food at my house. If I feed you, then I should be allowed to fondle your ears. The only ones that get away with me not insisting are human guest. Because I know that is just a little too weird even for me. But semi feral kittens are fairly easy to tame. I would think that as long as it isn't hungry then the chickens will not be as tempting. The twins are great vermin control.

I would hesitate to play the rabies thing out. The authorities could come into your home and force you to kill all the animals on the property, and everyone take the shots. We had friend this happen to just because there was a bat in the house.

On the other hand, we also had a different friend end up in the hospital after his crazy indoor kitty bit him. Keep any wounds ultra clean, and watch for infection. Common sense should be enough.

I you can't keep it after you tame some, craigslist is a great way to find a home for him. I would take him, but I don't think he would like the flight.

I have been taming feral kittens, and re-homing most of them for years. The 5 that live with us officially have never bothered the chickens as far as I can tell. A well fed cat won't bother for the most part.

 

[bobbi-j]

The kitten most likely bit because it was terrified when your DH picked it up. Biting and scratching is their self defense. Their claws are needle sharp, even when they're little. It may well have been what ate your chick if it was hungry. Just doing what it needed to do to survive. I'd be more likely to try to tame and keep it myself, but I live on a farm and have room. As has been said before, a well fed cat isn't likely to bother the chickens.

 

[mdbokc]

SOP here is if a feral cat bites someone. The cat is caught, turned in to the animal control, examined for rabies. No animal capture, rabies shots are given.

The kitten clawed and bit your husband. Catch the kitten and have it examined for rabies. No kitten, I would plan on rabies shots.

 

[CompostQueen]

Quote:
My husband works construction and therefore has VERY thick callouses. The bite did not break the skin, and the scratches were very superficial. The site looks and feels totally normal. He cleaned it very carefully after.

I frankly do not want this kitten around my house. I have two very young children (3.5 and 1) and I don't want to mess around. If I am able to catch it I have a friend who is willing to take it on.

 

[theFox]

mdbokc,

Yup.

bobbi-j,

It makes no difference why the kitten bit or scratched, both feline bites and scratches are potential major medical issues.

Tylt33,

The OP was thinking that the kitten took out one of their chicks, guess it must have gotten a good hold on something with those teeth.


Folks, I've own cats for decades, you do not make light of injuries caused by them. You do not take chances with feral cats ever.

 

[CompostQueen]

Quote:
I completely get this. I am not mad at the kitten just shaken by the experience. When I envisioned potential predators this was not it! It is SO adorable that I keep getting tempted to keep it/feed it/etc but I just don't think it is the best thing. The idea of going and getting it checked for rabies and then releasing it seems sort of counter intuitive. Plus what if I feed it and it kills my chicks for sport!?

 

[CompostQueen]

Quote:
Its not smaller than the chicks it is slightly larger- and these aren't day old chicks they are about 6 weeks old.

 

[jennh]

I have a cat, Athena, going on 15. I tamed her from the wild from my backyard. She is the sweetest cat I have ever had, and I've had quite a few. She even lets the vet clean her teeth right on the examining table, no anesthetics.
Anyway, I really have my doubts that a kitten that small killed your chicks. There has to be something bigger that was doing the killing. I have stray cats in my neighborhood all the time, and they don't even look twice at my free range chickens and 12 week old chicks. JMHO

Jen

 

[bobbi-j]

I can sure underdstand your not wanting to have it around with little ones. You don't need them getting bit or scratched. I hope you can catch it soon and take it to your friend.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

I would LOVE a gray Siamese kitten

If only you lived closer I would help catch it myself!!