Outdoor cat owners, I need your advice!

[BigBlueHen53]

The well- fed domestic cat is a great hunter. Having regular meals gives it the energy to hunt. And they rarely hunt to eat. They hunt to keep their skills sharp. And bring it home to feed its 'family'. Average lifespan is 6-8 years because it is dangerous out there. Cars, dogs, other cats, wild predators, dangerous chemicals, and creepy people. Parasites, infections, barbed wire.

It's hard to be a cat.

When I lived in a big city I had an in/out cat that lived to be over 12. I'm sure he would have lived longer but he had kidney failure. He never brought me birds and was obviously savvy about traffic. Most of my cats lived at least 10 years. Our current cat is at least 12 but we're not sure exactly, she was an adult when we got her. She has a thyroid issue so we know she won't last too much longer, but she is not dying. She's a good mouser and has brought in the occasional bird - but generally she brings them in unhurt, just to show them to us. One of my favorites was the American woodcock, we never would have seen one if she hadn't brought that in. Google it, it's an odd-looking thing.

 

[MasAhora]

Sounds like, from what I was told, the mother cat roams around my co-worker's chicken coop all the time because that's where the kittens had been born. I'm guessing the mother cat was already somewhat of a mouser in a way

Kittens often catch and eat what their mother caught and brought to them during the weaning process. So early removal breaks this. Early removal causes a host of emotional and social problems for the kitten, it's cruel to force an early separation. I doubt the kids are going to die of allergies within 12 weeks. I've had severe and varied allergies since a child and still have 5 dogs and 6 cats - all the cats are indoor cats, the dogs are inside and outside.

At the very least keep 2 kittens together so they can remain a small family and get them sterilized ASAP.

 

[CedarLane]

At the very least keep 2 kittens together so they can remain a small family and get them sterilized ASAP.

I'll second keeping 2 kittens together especially if keeping them outside. The companionship of another kitten will be good for them, and their play "stalking" etc. will be good practice for hunting.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Just want to update that Archie(his name now) is now an excellent mouser. Doesn't hunt birds either and sometimes hangs out with our flock during free range.

 

[casportpony]

Locked per @KikiDeAnime's request.