enclosure pics

[macmanmatty]

I wouldn't risk it but then I wouldn't raise kittens that way.:cool cat:

How would you raise kittens then from a f1 ?? Surly you wouldn't let young kittens or delivering queens have the run of your house with other females especially f1's? You would confine them to their own space right? Until the kittens are least 4-6 weeks old right? Or am missing something?

 

[DocMac]

Even with a 2ft high plywood bottom covering? There is 2ft of plywood and then the 11.5 gauge link chain fence but, If needed I will cover outer side in chicken wire.

they will jump the two feet!

 

[Lori Greer]

If you are going to use any kind of fencing material, I STRONGLY URGE you to install welded wire fencing with no more than 2 x 2 openings. I've had kittens even a few months old squeeze through the 2 x 4 welded wire holes. I've also had kittens squeeze under a closed door with a max of a couple inches between the bottom of the door and the flooring.

Install that wire on the INSIDE, not outside the chain link.

Also recommend a high gloss, non-toxic paint for any exposed wood. You will be replacing it in a hurry if it is not sealed well. You will also be replacing any carpeting within the year.

Enclosures are great for adults, but not really a very good set up for young kittens. The best scenario is a spare room. Kittens climb, kittens fall, queens carry kittens to shelves which is extremely dangerous to their well being. No one set up is ideal for everyone, but we built ours to be 3 x 3 x 6, two high. This is big enough that the queen has room to move around, stretch, a litter box well away from elevated food/water bowls and birthing box. We used PVC and either 1 x 2 or 2 x 2 welded wire, RFP board over plywood for flooring and a zillion tie straps. I will say that the tie straps are the worst part about our queen pens for cleaning, but other than that I am really happy with them. Since this photo, we have installed bowl holders and RFP board on the top pen. Some girls like a box, others enjoy a large open rubbermaid type storage container. Whatever makes them happy.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

How would you raise kittens then from a f1 ?? Surly you wouldn't let young kittens or delivering queens have the run of your house with other females especially f1's? You would confine them to their own space right? Until the kittens are least 4-6 weeks old right? Or am missing something?

I raise kittens from any generation queen in a room of our house. I generally find the pregnant queen (and I have had queens from F1 through F7) starts nesting behavior in the last couple weeks of gestation and often really doesn't want any other cats around either. I put them in their own room (I prefer using my office or my bedroom) and find that they like that last two weeks to settle in and feel secure in their own room. The kittens are born in there and thus are there where I spend most of my days getting all the attention and socialization that they need. I spend quite some of my day at the computer so they will be crawling up my legs into my lap from an early age. Even when very young this means I can go pet them and touch them multiple times a day... and I find that because my mama cats are my housepets they generally WANT me to interact with their kittens from birth.

 

[DocMac]

After their first shots and we begin to introduce them, in earnest, to the other pets in the house, I like to use a lightweight plexiglass door then move to baby gates, then finally an open door.

 

[macmanmatty]

I agree with everything said here. I will socializing my kittens every day many times a day. I will be there for my mama cat when is going to have babies. Even though these are out door enclosures the cats DO NOT lack enrichment from me or other people. i spend at least 30 min to a hour in each of the enclosures daily. Other people including my parents come in a play with them or help feed them. I Play with the male and females and sit in there read or play my guitar. I WILL NOT just lock these cats kittens in a enclosure and leave to own devices. As this seems to be what people are implying. Even though they are not raised in my house I give them plenty of social stimulation.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I was not implying anything, but sharing how I do it in my home which has worked great for me for some years now. I'm sorry if me sharing my experience was inappropriate or not what you wished to read. I'll stop offering advice in that case.

 

[admin]

I agree with everything said here. I will socializing my kittens every day many times a day. I will be there for my mama cat when is going to have babies. Even though these are out door enclosures the cats DO NOT lack enrichment from me or other people. i spend at least 30 min to a hour in each of the enclosures daily. Other people including my parents come in a play with them or help feed them. I Play with the male and females and sit in there read or play my guitar. I WILL NOT just lock these cats kittens in a enclosure and leave to own devices. As this seems to be what people are implying. Even though they are not raised in my house I give them plenty of social stimulation.

I think it behooves those of us starting out (and yes, I have only had one litter) to listen carefully and thoughtfully to breeders way more experienced than we are. Brigitte, Lori, patti, kelly, Pam, etc., have more experience than I do and I listened carefully to them as well as Shelby and Sue A when Zuri had kittens and I still listen to them and seek their advice to this day. I learn something new every day.

The breeders and owners on this forum are offering you their wisdom, experience and advice...you want to raise your kittens in an outdoor enclosure? By all means, do so...but don't be surprised at the possible outcome...and as was stated as well...plywood holds urine and will start to smell and degrade, no matter what type of paint you use...it would be better to invest in something more malleable to what you are building for...queens and studs...and kittens...

 

[waitingforgeorge]

Not sure the survival rate of F1 kittens in this set up, they seem very fragile when raised in very controled home settings being monitored by their human parents 24 hours a day.

 

[macmanmatty]

Not sure the survival rate of F1 kittens in this set up, they seem very fragile when raised in very controled home settings being monitored by their human parents 24 hours a day.

I will not be raising f1 kittens But I will be raising f2's In heated insulated room where I will spend lots of time giving them the attention they need.