Minnesota!

[KlopKlop]

She will probably always be feral, but if you start handling the kittens they will be tamer.

During my time in Florida I worked with a group that spayed/neutered feral cats and released them. We had a large family of black ferals

that is a good point. how old should the kitten (there only appears to be one) be before i consider touching it? I will probably move my camera over by the den in a day or two to see if i can see her coming and going and eventually the kitten coming out

 

[scandiafowl]

Maybe Ralphie spilled more soup on his Computer.

 

[Minniechickmama]

LaLa I agree on the AI thing being more of a commercial problem for the reasons you mentioned. When you free range your birds or offer a varied diet with exercise your birds are also going to have fortified immune systems to fight off illnesses. Or they like LaLa said won't be confined spaces with high levels of exposure. There is a difference in our birds and what is sadly being raised in those huge barns.

The round of AI this spring was a commercial problem. When they opened to doors and removed the carcasses, it potentially became everyone's problem for the fall migration.

Since someone mentioned PolyFace (Joel Salatin), he claims that if a chicken eats two blades of grass per day it is enough for it to build a natural immunity to fight off AI. Just something I read. I find it hard to believe, but he has been a pretty good example on other facets of livestock husbandry.

 

[gofeedthegirls]

Thank you for all the great replies! It seems when you do a google search on the subject, nothing seems to relate to us northerners. You all made me feel 100% more comfortable!

 

[KlopKlop]

nobody piped up about plug in heated dog water bowls. I have one i used back when i had cats before and i plan on trying that this winter for my chickens. may get a second for my other coop too if i can find one reasonably priced. I know somebody on this thread told me they use them but line them with a second bowl i believe? anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[Minniechickmama]

On the side - i checked in on the kitten tonight just to see if it was still there. We saw mama cat run across the lane in the dark earlier when we pulled in, so she is around. I set out just a small bowl of food and my game camera a way away from their den just to see what she looks like. I am thinking maybe i can slowly train her with food to stick around. I really could use a good mouser or two since the coons ran off my last cat.

Am I crazy to think i may attempt tame a likely feral cat?

I did it. If I can do it, ANYone can do it. The kitten is my little "pole cat" buddy and she comes to me and wants me to give her momma lovin'.
The momma cat, maybe not feral always, but she was wild when she showed up. She warmed up to me and her son as well that was born in the wild last year. I can pick any of them up now. It just took time to let them warm up to me. Once they knew where the easy food came from, it got easier. The two older ones still don't like being held, but I can pick them up once in a while.
You could trap her in a coon trap with the kitten, but if she has others, then you have locked her away.
I also trapped another stray cat a couple years ago. She got out of my trap in the garage and lived in the soffits all winter. When spring rolled around she started warming up to me and eventually became a friendly cat who let me hold her.

Remember, you have to let the cat think it was ITS idea to be your friend.

 

[Minniechickmama]

nobody piped up about plug in heated dog water bowls. I have one i used back when i had cats before and i plan on trying that this winter for my chickens. may get a second for my other coop too if i can find one reasonably priced. I know somebody on this thread told me they use them but line them with a second bowl i believe? anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

I got 96-ounce heated bowls on eBay for less that $20 each 4 years ago. They are more like $25 now. Something KG was the name of the company. They are only 25-watt too. Last year they started freezing on top during the coldest days, so I don't think they are working as well as previously. They get poop in them and you have to clean them daily unless you can figure out how to keep them clean? I just take a brush and clean water and freshen daily.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

RAAAAL---PHIIEEE...!!!!

 

[KlopKlop]

I got 96-ounce heated bowls on eBay for less that $20 each 4 years ago. They are more like $25 now. Something KG was the name of the company. They are only 25-watt too. Last year they started freezing on top during the coldest days, so I don't think they are working as well as previously. They get poop in them and you have to clean them daily unless you can figure out how to keep them clean? I just take a brush and clean water and freshen daily.

i have a scrap of 2"x4" welded wire fencing. i was thinking of bending it into a circle around the bowl. They can stick their heads in to drink but not stand in it then. Might double to keep to poo out and to keep their toes dry. if it doesnt work, then i am back to your method of freshening. I swear somebody on here told me they put a second bowl inside there to make it easier to clean too. Cant remember if it was metal or rubber though

 

[holm25]

The round of AI this spring was a commercial problem.  When they opened to doors and removed the carcasses, it potentially became everyone's problem for the fall migration.


Since someone mentioned PolyFace (Joel Salatin), he claims that if a chicken eats two blades of grass per day it is enough for it to build a natural immunity to fight off AI.  Just something I read.  I find it hard to believe, but he has been a pretty good example on other facets of livestock husbandry.

That guy is my hero!! And tjere is a chance I can spend a summer working for him in a few years!! He is the reason I have read alot abput permacultire.