26 Apr First Litter of Spring
A few years ago, coyotes wiped out our barn cat poplulation of Armstrong Manor Farm within two weeks. We were heart broken since all of us had formed attachments to the cats and given them names. It didn’t take us long to adopt a few kittens from other farms and then have a few strays find their way into our barn. Now we are back to having a clowder. That’s right – a clowder is the name for a group of cats.
There is certain excitement that fills the barn when we know that one of our female cats is pregnant. Did you know that females are called queens? is pregnant. Then there’s the anticipation when the female goes into hiding for a few days. When she reappears, Richard goes in search of the kittens. They can usually be found in the maternity section of our old barn, usually tucked safely in the straw found in an old feeder. We can tell which of the tomcats is the father. There’s no mistaking his colours with this litter. It’s been about a month since the kittens were born. I’m sure the kittens all have names by now.
When family and friends come to visit this time of year, calves and kittens are always first on the list of must sees at the barn. I can’t blame them. We all like to see newborns and the youngsters while they are still small, cute and cuddly. What a wonderful way to celebrate Spring and the beginning of a new life.