Relocating feral cats to farm - any advice

mustlove everyone

Hello, to help combat our rat and mice problem and to help ease the burden on one of our local rescues, my husband and I have decided to take on some of their feral cats and we are just looking for a few pieces of advice.

The woman from the rescue is coming out to us next Thursday with 3 or 4 feral cats that have been neutered and wormed.
We have a large farm and large farmsheds. In one of the farmsheds is a large, warm room that is secure with doors that can be locked from the outside and we are going to set up a "home" for the cats there. I am aware that they should be kept securely for the first month to allow them to adjust to their new home and accept it as their own.
I know cats, particularly feral cats, like to hide so I'm going to make a bed that's enclosed. My first question - do I make up a bed for each cat or one large bed for all of them?
When I say make a bed, I mean that, as we do live on a farm, there's plenty of materials around to tap together a little bedding area for the cats and then I was going to fill the beds up with blankets and maybe one or two items of clothing belonging to myself and my husband to get used to our scent.
As they are feral I know they will be living outside but I would like for them to have somewhere nice to sleep, particularly during the winter.

My next question is in relation to a litter tray. While they are being kept securely for the first month, would there be any need to introduce a litter tray? They have probably been going to the toilet wherever they like up to now so training them to use a litter tray might be impossible. What do you think?
Also, if they're not going to be using a litter tray, what can I expect from them in relation to the toilet habits? We have 3 dogs, a great dane and 2 german shepherds, so while I am obviously not expecting the same volume, what can I expect? How often and with what should I clean out their room?

My last question is in relation to my dogs. My dogs live indoors but obviously they wander around the farm and do their own thing too. Should I keep them completely separate to the cats or should I just not make it a big deal for them, leave them all to it and they can figure things out for themselves?
Obviously the feral cats are feral cats and not exactly the snuggling on the couch types but at the same time I still want to treat them with kindness and give them a nice safe home.

All advice welcome.

Thanks

boomerang

My first question - do I make up a bed for each cat or one large bed for all of them?

A group bed is the best idea - they will be scared and will take comfort from close physical contact with each other. You can put about a foot of fresh hay or straw in there, and they'll love it.


My next question is in relation to a litter tray. While they are being kept securely for the first month, would there be any need to introduce a litter tray?

Definitely. And don't worry, they will definitely use it! It will be really upsetting for them if they have no choice but to poop and pee everywhere and anywhere. Buy the biggest tray you can find. The biggest one I've found is in Maxi Zoo. There is no need to change out the hay/straw - in fact it will probably upset them if you do that. But I would clean out the litter tray daily with a litter scoop while you are in there topping up food and water. Sift out the poops and leave the damp litter intact until it's fully used up. Chat away to them in a quiet, sweet voice so that they get used to you. Don't expect them to interact with you - they will stay hidden.

Should I keep the (dogs) completely separate to the cats or should I just not make it a big deal for them, leave them all to it and they can figure things out for themselves?

This really depends on the dogs. Are they cat chasers? I certainly wouldn't have them around the door of the room you are keeping the cats in for the first month as it'll really stress them. I think farm homes for ferals with dogs already in situ are generally okay so long as the dogs don't hate cats! So long as the cats have easy access to somewhere high to escape to when the dogs are out and about, it'll be fine. We find that the cats usually set up home high up in the hay bales, where they're warm and feel secure. (Cats feel safest at a height.) Bear in mind too that they'll be mostly active at night, when the dogs are gone indoors (if they're indoor dogs) so again, they won't have much face-to-face contact.

Hope that helps, well done you.

jimf

cant really offer you any advice im afraid

but I just felt I had to post and say well done and hope everything works out

mustlove everyone

boomerang wrote: »

My first question - do I make up a bed for each cat or one large bed for all of them?

A group bed is the best idea - they will be scared and will take comfort from close physical contact with each other. You can put about a foot of fresh hay or straw in there, and they'll love it.


My next question is in relation to a litter tray. While they are being kept securely for the first month, would there be any need to introduce a litter tray?

Definitely. And don't worry, they will definitely use it! It will be really upsetting for them if they have no choice but to poop and pee everywhere and anywhere. Buy the biggest tray you can find. The biggest one I've found is in Maxi Zoo. There is no need to change out the hay/straw - in fact it will probably upset them if you do that. But I would clean out the litter tray daily with a litter scoop while you are in there topping up food and water. Sift out the poops and leave the damp litter intact until it's fully used up. Chat away to them in a quiet, sweet voice so that they get used to you. Don't expect them to interact with you - they will stay hidden.

Should I keep the (dogs) completely separate to the cats or should I just not make it a big deal for them, leave them all to it and they can figure things out for themselves?

This really depends on the dogs. Are they cat chasers? I certainly wouldn't have them around the door of the room you are keeping the cats in for the first month as it'll really stress them. I think farm homes for ferals with dogs already in situ are generally okay so long as the dogs don't hate cats! So long as the cats have easy access to somewhere high to escape to when the dogs are out and about, it'll be fine. We find that the cats usually set up home high up in the hay bales, where they're warm and feel secure. (Cats feel safest at a height.) Bear in mind too that they'll be mostly active at night, when the dogs are gone indoors (if they're indoor dogs) so again, they won't have much face-to-face contact.

Hope that helps, well done you.

That's brilliant boomerang, thanks very much.

The dogs have never met or seen a cat. They're all very laidback, the great dane in particular wouldn't have much interest in someone/thing that can't feed him or hug him lol
I was planning on keeping them away for the first month to let the cats settle in and then just not making a big deal out of introductions and letting them all meet naturally. As you say, the cats will probably just do their own thing anyway. There's plenty of places for the cats to jump up to so they'll be able to escape if the dogs get too much. In their room there's two entrances so i was thinking, after the first month, to make a little cat sized door in one for them to go in and out of, just to keep the dogs out of their space and give them a bit of peace.

Oh, I suppose they won't want toys?

Pumpkinseeds

I have that huge cat litter tray from Zooplus.ie, you might find it a bit cheaper on Zooplus.uk. The tray is fantastic, I just ordered another one of them last week as Poppy is putting Toby off using it. I use Cats Best Oko Plus litter in it. It's not expensive, is biodegradable and clumps really well. We usually put at least 10 litres of litter in the tray for depth as the tray is so big.

I'd definitely put some toys in, I think all cats love to play:)

sillysmiles

mustlove everyone wrote: »

Oh, I suppose they won't want toys?

You want them to keep down the rats and mice. They will make their own toys.

boomerang

sillysmiles wrote: »

You want them to keep down the rats and mice. They will make their own toys.

Not while confined in an enclosed shed for a month they won't.

In the long term OP they won't need toys, but it might be an idea for the period of their confinement, especially if they are under a year old. Scrunched up balls of tin foil are the best, as they can bat them around and then shred them.

Once released onto the farm, the environment will give them all the stimulation they need.

mustlove everyone

boomerang wrote: »

Not while confined in an enclosed shed for a month they won't.

In the long term OP they won't need toys, but it might be an idea for the period of their confinement, especially if they are under a year old. Scrunched up balls of tin foil are the best, as they can bat them around and then shred them.

Once released onto the farm, the environment will give them all the stimulation they need.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I don't want them to be bored for the first month.

Thanks for all the advice.

Markcheese

Ah how nice of you to rid your Area of songbirds and small mammals ,


Mod note: before anyone comments on this and subsequent posts before reading the whole thread, please be advised that I have asked for this line of discussion to stop. Please stay on topic, no discussion of cats' interactions with wildlife: that's for another thread.
Thanks
DBB

mustlove everyone

Markcheese wrote: »

Ah how nice of you to rid your Area of songbirds and small mammals ,

What would you propose to solve the two problems I've mentioned? I'm all ears.

Pumpkinseeds

Markcheese wrote: »

Ah how nice of you to rid your Area of songbirds and small mammals ,

I think you should really do a bit of research before you criticise someone for helping ferals. Ferals don't wipe out bird populations or have a detrimental effect on small mammals. That information is outdated and old fashioned. Rats would have a bigger impact on birds, eating eggs and killing birds:rolleyes:

Capercaille

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I think you should really do a bit of research before you criticise someone for helping ferals. Ferals don't wipe out bird populations or have a detrimental effect on small mammals. That information is outdated and old fashioned. Rats would have a bigger impact on birds, eating eggs and killing birds:rolleyes:

Tell that to ground nesting birds like corncrake in Mayo and Donegal. Feral cats in high densities have severe effects on those birds.

Pumpkinseeds

Capercaille wrote: »

Tell that to ground nesting birds like corncrake in Mayo and Donegal. Feral cats in high densities have severe effects on those birds.

The OP's ferals will be neutered/spayed so won't create a problem. I could argue with you all night about this, I'm not trying to be offensive, but if you do some reading on Trap Neuter Return of feral cats, you will find that a managed feral cat colony is a far more practical solution than removing feral cats.

Ferals is a word that covers a multitude. Ultimately they are cats who've been left to fend for themselves, often living miserable, sick and short lives. That is a man made problem. The OP is giving a good and safe home to some cats that need it.

mustlove everyone

Capercaille wrote: »

Tell that to ground nesting birds like corncrake in Mayo and Donegal. Feral cats in high densities have severe effects on those birds.

I'm not in Mayo or Donegal. Assuming you come down on the same side as Markcheese, judging by your post you appear to, what would you suggest as an alternative solution to the two problems I've mentioned, being our rat and mice problem and one of our local rescues being full to capacity with feral cats?

Markcheese

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I think you should really do a bit of research before you criticise someone for helping ferals. Ferals don't wipe out bird populations or have a detrimental effect on small mammals. That information is outdated and old fashioned. Rats would have a bigger impact on birds, eating eggs and killing birds:rolleyes:

I hope someone has told the cats that... I only have anecdotal evidence (have a lot of farmer friends most with farm cats) but farm cats bring back a lot of small birds, one friends farmyard has got a lot quieter since he got a killing machine,(he's thrilled about the rodents not so thrilled about birds ,frogs shrews ect. )
Also,i know they've done research in new Zealand on feral cats effects on wild birds ,the cats didn't come out smelling of roses (think the reasearch was done around mangowai heads on north island but long before I was online)
Also if your eyes keep rolling you might want to see a doctor...

mustlove everyone

Markcheese wrote: »

I hope someone has told the cats that... I only have anecdotal evidence (have a lot of farmer friends most with farm cats) but farm cats bring back a lot of small birds, one friends farmyard has got a lot quieter since he got a killing machine,(he's thrilled about the rodents not so thrilled about birds ,frogs shrews ect. )
Also,i know they've done research in new Zealand on feral cats effects on wild birds ,the cats didn't come out smelling of roses (think the reasearch was done around mangowai heads on north island but long before I was online)
Also if your eyes keep rolling you might want to see a doctor...

I have to ask again, what would be your alternative solution?

Gran Hermano

Markcheese wrote: »

I hope someone has told the cats that... I only have anecdotal evidence (have a lot of farmer friends most with farm cats) but farm cats bring back a lot of small birds, one friends farmyard has got a lot quieter since he got a killing machine,(he's thrilled about the rodents not so thrilled about birds ,frogs shrews ect. )
Also,i know they've done research in new Zealand on feral cats effects on wild birds ,the cats didn't come out smelling of roses (think the reasearch was done around mangowai heads on north island but long before I was online)
Also if your eyes keep rolling you might want to see a doctor...

Comparing the impact of cats on wildlife here and wildlife in NZ is ridiculous.
Birds in NZ evolved to handle different predators and are much less naturally equipped to defend themselves from cats. Studies in the UK (which would have similar birds to here) have shown the impact of cats on local songbirds to be a lot less than originally thought.
Search the nature and birdwatching forum on Boards for links to the RSPB studies.

Pumpkinseeds

Markcheese wrote: »

I hope someone has told the cats that... I only have anecdotal evidence (have a lot of farmer friends most with farm cats) but farm cats bring back a lot of small birds, one friends farmyard has got a lot quieter since he got a killing machine,(he's thrilled about the rodents not so thrilled about birds ,frogs shrews ect. )
Also,i know they've done research in new Zealand on feral cats effects on wild birds ,the cats didn't come out smelling of roses (think the reasearch was done around mangowai heads on north island but long before I was online)
Also if your eyes keep rolling you might want to see a doctor...

Mayo/Donegal is not New Zealand. As I understand it there were other issues in Mayo and Donegal such as early sileage cutting and mink. But hey, why not just blame the cats for everything. I like birds, we feed them all through Winter. Our own cats very rarely bring home birds, despite the fact that we have lots of them a few feet from the house. One of my cats was a feral kitten.

Cats aren't the only animal that will kill birds or other wildlife, and to be honest the majority of birds they kill are starlings and other common birds, it isn't like there's a shortage of those. There is always this same argument from bird lovers that cats should be killed to maintain birds, I don't understand why. Some birds die, thats life. I'd rather have a fewer birds and less rats.

Gran Hermano

Link to RSPB discussing impact http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/unwantedvisitors/cats/birddeclines.aspx

mustlove everyone

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I'd rather have a fewer birds and less rats.

Complete agreement there.

Capercaille

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

The OP's ferals will be neutered/spayed so won't create a problem. I could argue with you all night about this, I'm not trying to be offensive, but if you do some reading on Trap Neuter Return of feral cats, you will find that a managed feral cat colony is a far more practical solution than removing feral cats.

Ferals is a word that covers a multitude. Ultimately they are cats who've been left to fend for themselves, often living miserable, sick and short lives. That is a man made problem. The OP is giving a good and safe home to some cats that need it.

Perhaps get a barn owl nest box set up and with some sympathetic management could help a barn owl pair to set up residence on your farm. The barn owls would help keep rodent population under control.

mustlove everyone

Capercaille wrote: »

Perhaps get a barn owl nest box set up and with some sympathetic management could help a barn owl pair to set up residence on your farm. The barn owls would help keep rodent population under control.

That doesn't solve both problems though.

Capercaille

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

Mayo/Donegal is not New Zealand. As I understand it there were other issues in Mayo and Donegal such as early sileage cutting and mink. But hey, why not just blame the cats for everything. I like birds, we feed them all through Winter. Our own cats very rarely bring home birds, despite the fact that we have lots of them a few feet from the house. One of my cats was a feral kitten.

Cats aren't the only animal that will kill birds or other wildlife, and to be honest the majority of birds they kill are starlings and other common birds, it isn't like there's a shortage of those. There is always this same argument from bird lovers that cats should be killed to maintain birds, I don't understand why. Some birds die, thats life. I'd rather have a fewer birds and less rats.

Starling numbers are declining rapidly.

DBB

Capercaille wrote: »

Tell that to ground nesting birds like corncrake in Mayo and Donegal. Feral cats in high densities have severe effects on those birds.

Capercaille, this is NOT the thread to start this discussion. If you want to discuss this topic, start a new thread, or do a search for all the dozens of other threads on the topic which were locked after turning into trainwrecks.
Stay on topic from this point on.
Do not reply to this post on thread.
Thanks,
DBB

taytobreath

<snip>

op fair play to you for taking in some ferals, it wont look like they'll appreciate it but let me reassure you that they do. ferals have a very low life expectancy compared to pet cats so you'll be putting years on these poor things.

If you have room for anymore feral cats or you know of any of your neighbors looking to get in some ferals let people here know. I know that my local animal rescue could do with a few farms like yours.

Markcheese

mustlove everyone wrote: »

I have to ask again, what would be your alternative solution?

Depends , the problem of too many feral cats in shelters ,you wouldn't like my solution .
To be fair I haven't a problem with 1 or 2 cats on a farm, and fair dues for getting neutered ones, if you have a major rodent issue,look at why, judicious use of appropriate poison in appropriate bait boxs can help ...

Markcheese

Mod, just read your post, sorry about that....

Hellrazer

iverjohnston wrote: »

Buy a few buckets of Storm. Bringing feral cats about the place is simply substituting large furry vermin for small furry vermin. If you have sheep you run the risk of an abortion storm pre lambing with feral cats. As you already have dogs, get a good terrier if you want an animal remedy.

Right Ive had enough of this and people advocating killing animals.
You can have a one week ban from the forum.
And from here on in its an instant ban of one week for the first offence and then a permanent ban for the second.No warnings will be given.

Nature Advocate

<snip>

Nature Advocate

<snip>

For ignoring multiple mod warnings, take a ban from the forum.

Bizzum

Hellrazer wrote: »

Right Ive had enough of this and people advocating killing animals.
You can have a one week ban from the forum.
And from here on in its an instant ban of one week for the first offence and then a permanent ban for the second.No warnings will be given.

Your charter allows discussion of vermin control. How can you ban a user when its exactly this he discussed?
I notice too the charter has vanished, but I know what it says.
I smell a rat.

I can see the charter now, dunno why I couldn't earlier. And indeed it does allow discussion of pest control.
So what's the story?

fatmammycat

Bizzum wrote: »

Your charter allows discussion of vermin control. How can you ban a user when its exactly this he discussed?
I notice too the charter has vanished, but I know what it says.
I smell a rat.

I can see the charter now, dunno why I couldn't earlier. And indeed it does allow discussion of pest control.
So what's the story?

This thread isn't about vermin control, that's why, I imagine. So responses that are tediously off topic and posters who persist in point-scoring, despite being reminded not to do so, are being chastised.

fatmammycat

Must Love Everyone, I wonder is a month a little too long to keep them confined? Cats, especially wel-fed neutered cats, might set their homing device after a fortnight, certainly any move we ever made we were able to let our cats out after a week. Of course our cats were not feral, and older, but a month seems a long time(?).

mustlove everyone

fatmammycat wrote: »

Must Love Everyone, I wonder is a month a little too long to keep them confined? Cats, especially wel-fed neutered cats, might set their homing device after a fortnight, certainly any move we ever made we were able to let our cats out after a week. Of course our cats were not feral, and older, but a month seems a long time(?).

A month is what the rescue have told me and a month is what I've read consistently online. I think it has something to do with them being feral, young and the fact that they will be outside, not being treated as pets, without that kind of interaction, to encourage them to not do a runner. I will ask the woman from the rescue again though, just in case.

Mods feel free to close this thread, so many off-topic responses at this stage and my questions have been answered.

fatmammycat

mustlove everyone wrote: »

A month is what the rescue have told me and a month is what I've read consistently online. I think it has something to do with them being feral, young and the fact that they will be outside, not being treated as pets, without that kind of interaction, to encourage them to not do a runner. I will ask the woman from the rescue again though, just in case.

Mods feel free to close this thread, so many off-topic responses at this stage and my questions have been answered.

Ah, fair enough, I wish you the very best with them, and well done on rehoming the poor things.