Question -- When should I trap them? I don't want to trap them too early because their mother's milk is good for them. However, I don't want to trap them too late because it would be harder to socialize them.
Background -- About 5 days ago, two feral kittens emerged from under our deck in the backyard. Their mom is a cat who has been hanging around our yard for a while now. She's always very cautious and skittish, and we had no idea she was pregnant. They all come out once in the morning (6:30 - 7:30 am), once around noon, and maybe one last time in the early afternoon.
The kittens are probably in the process of getting weaned, but I still see them nursing from their mom. They're fat and happy, and their eyes and noses are clear. The mom isn't very big in size, but she looks healthy. The kittens play-fight with each other and can climb trees very well. The mom always runs away to watch from a safe distance the second she hears commotion. She just leaves the kittens where they are.
I've decided to trap them for sure. I want to do TNR for the mom, and trap and adopt the kitties out. I put some canned food out for them this morning, and they all came to eat. So at least the little ones are old enough to eat wet food.
So what do you guys think? Are they old enough to be separated from their mom?
Background -- About 5 days ago, two feral kittens emerged from under our deck in the backyard. Their mom is a cat who has been hanging around our yard for a while now. She's always very cautious and skittish, and we had no idea she was pregnant. They all come out once in the morning (6:30 - 7:30 am), once around noon, and maybe one last time in the early afternoon.
The kittens are probably in the process of getting weaned, but I still see them nursing from their mom. They're fat and happy, and their eyes and noses are clear. The mom isn't very big in size, but she looks healthy. The kittens play-fight with each other and can climb trees very well. The mom always runs away to watch from a safe distance the second she hears commotion. She just leaves the kittens where they are.
I've decided to trap them for sure. I want to do TNR for the mom, and trap and adopt the kitties out. I put some canned food out for them this morning, and they all came to eat. So at least the little ones are old enough to eat wet food.
So what do you guys think? Are they old enough to be separated from their mom?