Raising a kitten into a Barn Cat

[phryan]

2 days ago I found a kitten in my barn, it had upset my rooster which had alerted me to 'danger'. It is either feral or poorly socialized. It is currently in a dog crate in the barn with canned food, water, and a box/with towels for shelter (it is still below freezing most of the time). Thinking about keeping it as barn cat but I'm clueless about cats, allergic and more of a dog person.

From what I've read it is best to keep it in the barn to learn it's hone, does that mean in a crate like how I have it or loose? It's a barn so not exactly escape proof for a kitten. Any additional guidance on how to raise a kitten into a barn cat.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

A little more information May help us to better answer your questions . Because you're not experienced with cats you may not have a good answer for this but do you have an approximate age for this kitten? If you're not sure how to figure that out it may help if you post a picture of him or her so that those of us with more experience can help you to age it. Knowing the age of the kitten is going to be key in how best to proceed.

 

[Folly's place]

The poor baby! You've made a good start, so tomorrow call your vet and get your new baby checked out. Most foundlings arrive with fleas and intestinal worms at least, so move on that right away. Have you looked for other kittens? There might be more, so try to find them right away. Looking at night might be a good idea.
Kittens have a lot to learn, and without mama, it's a very steep learning curve. Having a safe place, as in a tack room, or a large cage, to socialize this baby, will be helpful.
Pictures!
All the best, Mary

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

You can make up a dog kennel, and that will be its home, out in the barn. Once it's warm, and the kitten is bigger, you can let it out. If its a male, your best bet is to have it neutered. Otherwise, it will wander off, and come back all scratched up from fight. If its female, better get it spayed. Yes, it's expensive, but if you don't, you will have 20 cats in a year or two. Make sure you give it lots of attention, so it's tame.

 

[ChickenLover5912]

Have a place for it to go like a bed or something that is his/hers but not locked in since she will be kept in the barn.chances are the cat is not feral, just poorly socialized or you would not have been able to get near it. Feral cats can be tricked into a crate but have never had human contact in their life so you would have no chance. Take the kitty and have him checked for anything wrong (diseases, parasites, spayed if you can and old enough) and enjoy your new little fella!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You can make up a dog kennel, and that will be its home, out in the barn. Once it's warm, and the kitten is bigger, you can let it out. If its a male, your best bet is to have it neutered. Otherwise, it will wander off, and come back all scratched up from fight. If its female, better get it spayed. Yes, it's expensive, but if you don't, you will have 20 cats in a year or two. Make sure you give it lots of attention, so it's tame.

@phryan There are low cost spay and neuter clinics available in every area which can help reduce the cost of this very important step. The old way of thinking, that you need to keep them intact and breeding in order to make them intrested in hunting, is simply inaccurate. Also don't fall into the trap of thinking that a barn cat does not require supplemental nutrition and will simply eat enough mice and other things to get by or that feeding them will make them lazy and cut their drive to hunt

 

[pennyJo1960]

I agree get the kitty altered don't let it indoors might want to post a few pictures we all love photos

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

@phryan There are low cost spay and neuter clinics available in every area which can help reduce the cost of this very important step. The old way of thinking, that you need to keep them intact and breeding in order to make them intrested in hunting, is simply inaccurate. Also don't fall into the trap of thinking that a barn cat does not require supplemental nutrition and will simply eat enough mice and other things to get by or that feeding them will make them lazy and cut their drive to hunt

Yeah, there are cheaper clinics around for that. But with those, I'd be a little worried about the cleanliness, especially with spaying, cause that is surgery. Sure wouldn't want to get an Infection, or anything like that......

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yeah, there are cheaper clinics around for that. But with those, I'd be a little worried about the cleanliness, especially with spaying, cause that is surgery. Sure wouldn't want to get an Infection, or anything like that......

Quality of care is not what is discounted at these clinics only the cost of the surgery. The same standards for cleanliness staff accreditation and all other things that apply to a regular veterinary clinic still apply to these clinics. The procedures are done by trained and licensed personnel. In fact in many locations it is not so much a standalone clinic but a program that is able to offer coupons and certificates that allow you to go to your regular veterinarian and pay the discounted price for the procedure.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Quality of care is not what is discounted at these clinics only the cost of the surgery. The same standards for cleanliness staff accreditation and all other things that apply to a regular veterinary clinic still apply to these clinics. The procedures are done by trained and licensed personnel. In fact in many locations it is not so much a standalone clinic but a program that is able to offer coupons and certificates that allow you to go to your regular veterinarian and pay the discounted price for the procedure.

Okay. Good to know!