[Baois Glas]

We are thinking of getting 2 or 3 cats for the yard (pref feral/semi feral but can't seem to find any here). We are doing up one of the outbuildings for them, they will have a cat flap on the door so they can come and go, have their beds and bowls in there and we are thinking about moving an old sofa up there for them.

Is there anything else they will need that I've overlooked?

[Louise Gaunt]

Cats are very contrary creatures! I wouldn't go overboard in finding things for them, a bed, a sofa and food and water sound fine. You may find they chose to sleep somewhere entirely different though!

[Hellybee]

Ours has a bed in the shed but she never uses it, she curls up anywhere and everywhere, often found in with sheep, ponies but equally loves being curled up with the dogs in front of the fire, farm cat my arris lol x

[shygirl]

you may find they want to come in the house, 4 out of 5 of ours are in like a shot, but still hunt a lot.
ours have beds in the garage too, but do enjoy it when the straw is there.

[lord flynn]

mine hunts a lot but now comes into the main house-as well as sleeping in the utility room. Despite buying him beds, his favourite in the house is an empty cardboard box which I've now stuck a blanket in. He does love hay though, and will happily sleep on any loose hay/hay bale available outside.

[Baois Glas]

Well hopefully my new arrivals are coming tomorrow 

They have the hayloft, which has been cleared out for them, with some beds and branches and some cardboard boxes so they can occupy themselves till they are allowed out.

The rescue they are coming from have been fab, they have neutered and chipped them for us and even told us we don't have to pay a rehoming fee for them, as they want a good home for them.  I'm excited about getting them now, although the day is a little tinged with sadness as we lost one of our horses yesterday.

[SallyintNorth]

Sorry to hear about your horse 

Hope you get on well with the new cats.  Sounds like they're coming to a veritable farmcat heaven! 

[Baois Glas]

They arrived about 5pm, looked all calm and peaceful whilst the fosters from the rescue were here, waved them off and went to get the food for them sorted, took their food in and they were up on the roof beams and shimming up the wall 
I'm having a little bit of a 'what have I done' moment, I've barricaded the door and hoping they are still in there in the morning!

[SallyintNorth]

From what I hear, that's entirely par for the course!  I'm sure they'll be fine after a few days of you being the person who brings food

[doganjo]

Mind your back as you open the door in the morning  - they'll be waiting to shoot out and give you a heart attack - and pretend to be lost till they are hungry and realise you're the best source of instant food    Pictures if you catch them   

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I have one cat which just adopted us, she prefers to sleep in the buildings and hunts for her food, plus I do give her a bit of food every day, but she certainly keeps the rat population down. Strangely enough she has never attacked a chicken, she sometimes accompanies me to let them out, but never tries eating them.

[Baois Glas]

Well they were still in there this morning, after a moment of panic when I couldn't find Noah (boy cat) and he was sat on the ledge over the door. Macie (mum cat) was still sat on the roof beam giving me the evil eye. I put their food in, sorted their litter tray and have left them to it.

Here are a couple of pics their fosterer sent me till they settle and come down off the roof so I can get some more pics, Macie is the tortie and white, Noah is the tabby and white.

[Baois Glas]

Here they are this morning, sitting on the roof beams

[Baois Glas]

Well Macie and Noah have been in the hayloft for 6 weeks. I put the cat flap in and propped it open for them on Monday and they stayed inside! Tried to bribe Noah out with food but he came out, ate and went back in.
Yesterday morning Macie was gone, leaving Noah on his own, poor boy looked a bit lost without his mum.
I had just fed Noah last night and came into the kitchen to wash my hands and spotted Macie outside, I went back out and she was sat in the trees behind the house, I put some food out for her and went back to fetch it later and most of it had gone, so either she came down to eat it or Noah came down to eat it and then went back up.  I left the food in the outbuilding under their hayloft on top of a freezer, it has a window that she can get through if she wants to get the food.

How do I know if she is eating? And how long do I leave it without seeing her before I start to panic?

[Mammyshaz]

Mum will be well used to fending for herself. She knows where there is shelter and a regular supply of food should she have a day of not finding her own so try not to worry. Little boy is obviously happier in the safety of his new home. Just keep placing food in their usual feeding place so they know where to get it.They will both be fine, you have done a good job settling them and for long enough for them to know where they now belong  Well done