I was wondering if the trekkers are really big or is it that the nestlings were so small.
The Trekkers are healthy little chunks, but they’re pretty much where they should be – except for Troi, who’s turning out to be the runt of the litter, though she’s gaining every day, so I’m not worried – and the Nestlings were very small. At the same age the Trekkers are now, Rufous was half their size. Wren was about 2/3 their size at their age, and so were Starling and Plover/Tater (though maybe it’s not fair to compare Rufous and Wren, since they were both premies). So I guess the answer is that the Nestlings were really small – but they are making up for it now!
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Another question: do you ever have kittens that want to nurse on you? None of your pics show it and you never mention it.
I ask because I’ve only fostered 3 litters and all 3 had more than 1 that wanted to nurse on me. And the kittens came to me at 5 weeks old. Since you’re with them from birth (or practically so), I’d think they’d get attached to you moreso.
I have had kittens who wanted to nurse on my shirt, but it’s been a long time since the last one – I can’t even remember who the last one was. With the Nestlings, Rufous would occasionally sniff around on my shirt as if he was looking for a place to nurse, but never actually did it. With the kittens I’ve had who would nurse on my shirt in the past, I would redirect them to a soft blanket, and they’d usually transfer their affections. I’ve had more than one kitten who would nurse on their own belly or on a sibling’s belly or behind their ear and one kitten who would nurse on his own toe. So maybe it’s just that my clothes are of a material that isn’t appealing to kittens?
(Side note: Sugarbutt, who we had from the time he was, oh, maybe 5 or 6 weeks old until he passed away at 10 years old, would wake me up in the middle of the night licking my neck and kneading my shoulder and purring SO loud. It was very sweet until it got painful (mostly from his kneading – as long as I kept his claws trimmed, it was bearable). As he got older he grew out of it, and I think the last time it happened he was 7 or 8 years old.
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When I moved Uhura and the kittens into the foster room, she sat and stared out from the crate, amazed at allll that room.
And then she found this soft bed and liked it QUITE a bit. (I half expected her to move the kittens out of the crate onto that bed, but she hasn’t yet.)
Troi was skeptical. “That’s too much room!”
Uhura seems pretty happy.
“You again, lady?” asks Kirk.
Spock and Janeway took in the view, while Kirk just rolled around on his back.
Then Kirk took a look and was amaaaazed.
When I weigh the kittens, I take them out one by one, and then put them in my lap after they’ve been weighed. This is the first time (I’ve had them for two weeks!) I noticed that Kirk has a heart on his head. I need to get a better picture of it!
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Charlie and Khal love – LOVE! – to lie out on the screened porch and melt in the heat.
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
Janeway is such a cutie pie. OH, those gorgeous blue eyes! (I do not expect them to stay blue, they usually start changing color around 4 weeks.)
Kirk’s havin’ a thought.
YouTube link
Throw Back Thursday: The Mainer kittens (from 2018) got a new toy – a battery-powered kitten who would walk and… bark? (I don’t know; it was a cheap toy I got at the mall.) Most of the kittens were scared, but not Calais. She showed that toy what was what.
Throw Back Thursday: In 2018 we fostered this little guy, whose name was Kennebunk. He was one of the Mainers litter (all named after Maine towns), and they were my first experience with ringworm. There were 9 of them (!) and I bathed them every other day and scrubbed down the foster room every day. It was a DELIGHT.
Kennebunk was nicknamed “Moop” because that’s the nickname Fred came up with, and it suited him. He was adopted with his foster sister Calais and last I heard (it’s been a few years) they were doing great. ♥️
YouTube link
This is life in the crate when you are 2 1/2 weeks old (they’ll be 3 weeks old on Saturday) – toddling around the crate, looking to see what’s outside the crate, tussling with your siblings, and waiting for Mama to come home.
Kittens usually start to leave the crate at some point after they turn 3 weeks old. Given how very INTERESTED every one of these kittens are about what’s outside the crate, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them leaving the crate even before 3 weeks. Lots of space to explore, after all!
Uhura likes to position herself so that the kittens can nurse, and she can have her ears scritched at the same time. She’s a smart girl!
Good night innernets. (Kes and her toeses)
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Previously
2022: The first of many “What doin’, weird lady?” looks from Saul.
2021: Such a good track toy that it gives Sofia Soy Sauce the crazy eyes.
2020: “This doesn’t involve you, lady. Move along.”
2019: “Innernets, look! I got FEET!”
2018: No entry.
2017: Last shot of the entire litter from early yesterday.
2016: “Hey, lady. GIMME that camera, I gots to take a selfie!”
2015: Zuke has a think.
2014: Gilbert, taunting Jake.
2013: No entry.
2012: No entry.
2011: The Many Faces of Lucy Peppers.
2010: Maddy, then and now.
2009: Now, kitten by kitten, meet them all.
2008: Harbl airing commences.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: Rambo checks his fan mail.