Introducing barn cats to the barn.

Saelym · 04-08-2008, 11:10 PM

How is this done? Now that we have a barn, we of course have rats.. and lots of them. I have been in contact with a lady who has three 'outdoor' cats that she needs to find homes for - they are selling their farm, and she says they wouldn't adjust well to being housecats. So I am going to take them!

There is a 6 year old female, her 5 year old son, and a Siamese coloured one that I didn't get any info on yet. They are all fixed.

Should we lock them in the barn for a few days, or in the house? When we got Dazey she was kept in the house, but she is an indoor cat. We don't want them running away or going onto the road..

Any advice would be appreciated!

sundancer maiden · 04-09-2008, 01:14 AM

Yes, you need to keep them locked up for a week or two. The last two adult cats that I rescued and had to relocate to my home stayed in my 3 horse trailer. I wish I could have used my barn, but there are no doors in three places!
After 2 weeks I left the trailer door open, after the reg. food, water and cleaning. They've been here for 2 months now with no sign of wanting to leave.
You shouldn't have any problems after time passes. Do continue to feed what they are eating now, not too many changes at once. Switch gradually, if you want to change food.
Good luck! Please let us know how it works out. Pics are always required!!

BabyMay · 04-09-2008, 06:10 AM

Yup, leave them locked in the barn for a couple of weeks. Always feed in the same spot. Don't forget the water and just get to know them. They should stay around once they know you supply the food and water.

GoinToTell · 04-09-2008, 08:48 AM

I will agree w/ everyone else. Lock them up in the barn! We did that w/ our 4 and they have never left. They are mousing machienes. They my not eat them, but man they have sure got rid of a lot of them. In fact they killed a pack rat this last weekend. It was a big ol dude. Between them and our chickens, the mice/rats dont stand a chance

Good luck and you will have to take pictures for us photo hounds!

Saelym · 04-09-2008, 09:34 AM

Thanks guys! I will get pics when they get here, which should be tomorrow.

soft rider · 04-09-2008, 09:48 AM

I had a very large dog cage that i used, (because i didnt have doors on my barn yet) and after about 3 weeks, just left the cage door opened, but kept there food in there, they are fine. they wander to the neighbors, but they always come home. Be careful if you are in an area of coyotes though, because they will eat the cats. I lock mine up in the barn now at night.

horseloverinVA · 04-09-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinToTell

In fact they killed a pack rat this last weekend. It was a big ol dude.

rosewood · 04-13-2008, 10:27 AM

When we got our barn kitties we locked them up in our garage for about a month. They were kittens and we were more afraid of the coyotes that had moved into the area than running away at that point as it was going into the winter season.
Two did start to wander a bit just before they were fixed now they never leave. I love it they are the best kitties and Great hunters I think because their mom was a wild barn kittie and showed them how to hunt!

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04-08-2008, 11:10 PM
Saelym Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: Courtenay, B.C. Posts: 2,344	Introducing barn cats to the barn. How is this done? Now that we have a barn, we of course have rats.. and lots of them. I have been in contact with a lady who has three 'outdoor' cats that she needs to find homes for - they are selling their farm, and she says they wouldn't adjust well to being housecats. So I am going to take them! There is a 6 year old female, her 5 year old son, and a Siamese coloured one that I didn't get any info on yet. They are all fixed. Should we lock them in the barn for a few days, or in the house? When we got Dazey she was kept in the house, but she is an indoor cat. We don't want them running away or going onto the road.. Any advice would be appreciated! __________________ Forever in my heart. Miss Achievement-- May 10th, 1993 - November 7th, 2008.

04-09-2008, 01:14 AM
sundancer maiden Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Udall, KS Posts: 1,211	Yes, you need to keep them locked up for a week or two. The last two adult cats that I rescued and had to relocate to my home stayed in my 3 horse trailer. I wish I could have used my barn, but there are no doors in three places! After 2 weeks I left the trailer door open, after the reg. food, water and cleaning. They've been here for 2 months now with no sign of wanting to leave. You shouldn't have any problems after time passes. Do continue to feed what they are eating now, not too many changes at once. Switch gradually, if you want to change food. Good luck! Please let us know how it works out. Pics are always required!! __________________ You don't have to be crazy to be my friend, but it helps!!!

04-09-2008, 06:10 AM
BabyMay Started Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,168	Yup, leave them locked in the barn for a couple of weeks. Always feed in the same spot. Don't forget the water and just get to know them. They should stay around once they know you supply the food and water.

04-09-2008, 08:48 AM
GoinToTell Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Galva/McPherson, KS Posts: 850	I will agree w/ everyone else. Lock them up in the barn! We did that w/ our 4 and they have never left. They are mousing machienes. They my not eat them, but man they have sure got rid of a lot of them. In fact they killed a pack rat this last weekend. It was a big ol dude. Between them and our chickens, the mice/rats dont stand a chance Good luck and you will have to take pictures for us photo hounds! __________________ ~Heather~

04-09-2008, 09:34 AM
Saelym Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: Courtenay, B.C. Posts: 2,344	Thanks guys! I will get pics when they get here, which should be tomorrow. __________________ Forever in my heart. Miss Achievement-- May 10th, 1993 - November 7th, 2008.

04-09-2008, 09:48 AM
soft rider Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: IL Posts: 671	I had a very large dog cage that i used, (because i didnt have doors on my barn yet) and after about 3 weeks, just left the cage door opened, but kept there food in there, they are fine. they wander to the neighbors, but they always come home. Be careful if you are in an area of coyotes though, because they will eat the cats. I lock mine up in the barn now at night.

04-13-2008, 10:27 AM
rosewood Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 326	When we got our barn kitties we locked them up in our garage for about a month. They were kittens and we were more afraid of the coyotes that had moved into the area than running away at that point as it was going into the winter season. Two did start to wander a bit just before they were fixed now they never leave. I love it they are the best kitties and Great hunters I think because their mom was a wild barn kittie and showed them how to hunt!