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Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/17/2009 9:46:12 PM
Posts: 114,
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| Someone mentioned "free-range cats" in the farm cats thread and I guess ours truly are that. They free-range from outside, to in front of the wood stove, to my bed, to the "cat chair" and then back outside. They get fed inside, but they still hunt and kill mice, rats, squirrels, moles and voles. Oh yes, and spiders! We started with two indoor/outdoor cats when we moved into our trailer, Sethos(neutered) and Neferette. Then along came three young kittens from a friend with an overflowing cat population. Tye and Orrin Sacket, and LadyGrey. They are all fixed, grew up as indoor/outdoor cats. But when they moved in, Sethos and Neferette decided to be only outdoor cats. Then one day Orrin disappeared. A friend had a pregnant female cat dumped on her drive, so I took her in and named her Raven. She had 4 female kittens. We rehomed two of them and kept two, named them Charla and Evie. Got them fixed. Before she had weaned Charla and Evie, Raven was pregnant again. So this time she had three males and one female. Rehomed the female and kept the males. Named them Yoda, Ramses and Gremlin. This time we got *everyone* fixed! Even though we got her fixed before she had weaned her kittens, the vet found six tiny kittens inside her when he did the surgery. Oh well, it was a vicious cycle that had to be broken. So now our cat population is at a well-rounded 10, no one producing more kittens. I have always liked cats, but Raven and her offspring are the most enjoyable cats I have ever been around, quirky and sweet. They all think they own the house of course, but they also think they own the surrounding woods and fields. And I don't mind *too* much when they bring their kills in to proudly show me before devouring. Here are some of the crowd. Ramses, Raven and Yoda a week ago: 
Gremlin as a kitten, he is now bigger than his brothers(can you tell how he got his name? He was the oddest looking kitten.....): 
Charla, Evie and another sister as kittens. They are now full grown: 
My boys, Tye and Orrin, before Orrin disappeared: 
Neferette: 
Sethos: 
LadyGrey: 
Can't believe how much I enjoy these cats.
Emily Dixon
Ozark Jewels
Dairy and Meat Goats
http://www.freewebs.com/ozarkjewels/
Also Morningland Dairy Raw Milk Cheeses. www.morninglanddairy.com
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Starting Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 10/27/2009 4:36:16 PM
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wonderful critters..
I once was told I was stupid for letting my dogs run free.... but now we're talking free range cats. Glad some people understand that well behaved animals can run free and be healthy. lovly cats.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/27/2009 12:37:57 PM
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Cats are a joy to have around. Thanks for sharing the story. I sure do applaud you for having them all fixed. 
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Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:17:56 PM
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| I have a soft spot for gray cats. Gre-Gre, our only cat, loves it when I block the shed doors open when I'm home to allow her free range of them and she brings back what she catches.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/17/2009 9:46:12 PM
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Yeah, I find that I actually prefer cats over dogs. I have my Pyrs for guarding the livestock and they are *wonderful*, but I'd have a Livestock Guardian Cat if it were possible.LOL!!!
Emily Dixon
Ozark Jewels
Dairy and Meat Goats
http://www.freewebs.com/ozarkjewels/
Also Morningland Dairy Raw Milk Cheeses. www.morninglanddairy.com
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 2:18:55 PM
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| My problem is catching my free range kittens to get them fixed. I am afraid we will be overpopulating soon. I keep trying to explain to the boys that taming them and catching them is their job but...they don't seem to have the patience I had as a kid.
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New Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 11/15/2009 9:03:36 PM
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I'm upset that some cats are dumped off here and they are Fixed. why? Genetics. If I am given a cat that can catch mice and hunt I want that cat to pass on those instincts. But people bring cats here that are of no use and they are soon found a new home. This farm isn't a place for any animal without a task...cats included. We have a cat now that kills more mice than any I've had. The women dropped off the creature and proudly told me that the cat was fixed and loved to sleep inside. HA HA..that's nice. she can sleep inside the barn. The one thing that keeps her here is the work ethic
and I wish I had 10 more just like her..but I don't because someone broke a link in a very good chain.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/17/2009 9:46:12 PM
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The best mousers I have ever had were fixed and fed cats. All my cats are indoor/outdoor and are fed well. They also catch mice, rats, etc. I've never had a cat that wouldn't catch mice. So I'm not really worried about "breeding" good mousers.....seems like I can always pick up more if I need them. Never a shortage of cats.
Emily Dixon
Ozark Jewels
Dairy and Meat Goats
http://www.freewebs.com/ozarkjewels/
Also Morningland Dairy Raw Milk Cheeses. www.morninglanddairy.com
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New Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 11/15/2009 9:03:36 PM
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I've got a shortage of cats that work.. and I've never over feed one. trouble is that people bring the lazy ones here and they have no place. sorry if it sounds cold, but would you let your teens live with you till he was 30?
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/17/2009 9:46:12 PM
Posts: 114,
Visits: 129
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guess I'm not quite understanding the question?
Emily Dixon
Ozark Jewels
Dairy and Meat Goats
http://www.freewebs.com/ozarkjewels/
Also Morningland Dairy Raw Milk Cheeses. www.morninglanddairy.com
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