Barns need cats!

It’s a fact.  Barns have mice.  The hubby has been complaining about mice in the barn for quite some time.  We have talked about getting barn cats, but I thought it was just talk for now since I have my hands full with chickens, chicks, dogs, and kids.  Little did I know the hubby had been searching online for some barn cats and Sunday he brought home two kittens.  I have to admit they are so adorable and so tiny!  They are only about six weeks old, but the perfect time to get them to be social.  Even though they will live in the barn, we want them to be friendly. Since they are so small still, they are in the mud room.

temporary home for kittens

 

 

Maybe I should have called this post, “all the animals that can live in a dog kennel” or “what to keep in your mud room”.  Yup, that’s Ollie’s old dog kennel, former chicken carrier and now temporary home to kittens.  

 

 

 

 

Meet Felix

Felix the barn cat

 

I thought we should name the kittens Bert and Ernie, but I was vetoed.  The hubby really wanted a black and white cat named Felix and since he didn’t get a vote with the last round of chickens, it only seemed fair to grant his wish. 

Felix of course is black and white…not quite as black as the original Felix.  He is the smaller of the two and first I thought he was the shy one.  He took a long time to eat and I was worried he wasn’t ready for the wet food we gave him.  Before long, he was eating like a champ.

 

 

 

Meet Oscar

Oscar the barn cat

 

 

Our dogs are Popeye and Olive Oyl, so why not another TV couple…roommates Oscar and Felix from The Old Couple.

Oscar seems a bit more reserved, but is still playful.  He also has quite the appetite! 

 

 

 

The morning routine

The feeding order used to be the dogs, then chickens, then kids, then baby chicks.  Today was the first day with the new additions so the first thing my daughter wanted to do was see the kittens.  We fed the kittens, then the kids ate breakfast.  Then I went out to clean the chicken coop and feed them.  Still no eggs….don’t they know they are old enough and should be ready??  Then it was off to the bus for my son.  

When I asked my daughter to help with the baby chicks, she was not as enthusiastic as usual.  She says, “mommy, now that we have kittens I know kittens are better than chickens!”  Needless to say I did get some help.  Shower for me and then off to school for her with the promise she could see them as soon as she came home.

Everyone made it to school on time!  I know many people get up and do a lot more animal chores in the morning, but this is still all new to me..and I am not much of a morning person! I told the hubby, another dog is going to have to wait until at least the baby chicks are outside with the big ones.  🙂

And a little love for the chickens

Crispy at 3 weeks

 

Crispy at about 3 weeks.  I love the speckled coloring….and I still love the chicks even if they are not as snuggly as kittens!

 

2 Responses

  • Marilynn Doane

    Just love the stories. Keep them coming. Go barn cats ! (I’m an old cat lover.) M

    Reply
    • Daina

      Aww thanks! I have very fond memories of your Asher. I am actually having trouble typing this because the latest addition (Storm the house cat) is sitting on my desk blocking the screen. Her story is coming soon! 🙂

      Reply

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