Time to leave the nest ??

[Cleo]

So the kittens are a little over 2 months now and doing okay except for the one boy who still has diarrhea. Gwen seems to be doing okay too but she's getting restless and is starting to have a p*ssed off look on her face ... really! Even though she has been spayed and is not producing any more milk, the kittens still nurse off of her and I think this is starting to aggrevate her. Usually she'll just get up and walk away from them but tonight she growled and took one by the neck. There aren't any signs of swelling nor inflammation at her nipples. Is there a general age that the kittens get where the mom is just done with them? My Mom said Gwen let out such a howl in the middle of the night. I'm thinking maybe they were bothering her to nurse ??

I was thinking of separating them and bringing Gwen up here to my apartment and starting the introduction process with my resident Keeks & Molly but does this make it harder or easier for when I have to introduce the kittens up here as well? Do I intro the whole 5 to my 2? do it 1 to my 2 at a time? We still don't know if we're keeping the lot. My only worry is how they'll all get along.

Thanks for any and all help.

[Traci]

Anywhere from 8-12 weeks of age is a general prediction where mom will 'wean' from her kittens.

As for introductions, assuming Molly and Keeks are already aware of their presense, they will have been pre-introduced by scent, sounds, etc. I don't think it's productive to only introduce a couple at a time, since it will only be confusing to all involved. I would open up the divider room and allow all the cats access to get acquainted....you will definately need help during these times, because if fighting ensues (which will be normal, expected behavior), you'll want help gathering up all the kittens to seperate them again. I would attempt the introductions at least a couple times a day to start. See how that goes, then increase the times they are allowed access together for longer periods of time each day. Play it by ear, you will soon find what works best for all involved.

[Cleo]

Thanks Traci. Keeks & Gwen actually had a face to face as I let her go downstairs. Keeks did her usual hissing act but Gwen let out sounds I thought only the horns of 18-wheeler trucks made! I'll keep the intros at a painstakingly snail's pace.