Just a quick question.........last week I went to a breeders house with my friend (she wanted me to go with her)....and when I entered the home there was 2 kittens in a cage in a bathroom, 2 in a cage in the kitchen, 3 in a cage in the frontroom, 1 in a cage in the other room....I didnt manage to get through any other rooms although I know there was more about for a fact.

As far as I am aware this isnt standard breeder behaviour to house the kittens like this?

Is this because its more of a business breeding? I dont understand why they are all in cages?

Can anyone shed any light?

Just I cant imagine ever doing that?

Sorry about all the ????? but was just surprised as I wasnt expecting it to be like that...looked so lovely from the outside with lots of land etc.

Wondered if there was an explanation that maybe I hadn't thought of?

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Bralex

I don't know about standard breeder practices, but what size were the cages?
Could it just have been because she was expecting you and it was to stop them running out the house or something?
How old were these kittens? And where were the adult cats?

A lot of breeders seem to pen their kittens or confine them to one room. It's personal choice, but not for me. I think sometimes it's done if they have queens that don’t get on and they have to keep litters separated, but then the answer to that would not to allow them to have kittens at the same time.
I personally wouldn’t do it. I don’t think it helps with the kittens’ socialisation or confidence in a new home if they are not used to running amok around the entire house.
That said, that breeder may have just penned them temporarily so she could show you and your friend each litter individually, although with only 8 kittens involved it wouldn’t have been too much to let them all out together – who knows, there could be a myriad of reasons. Did you ask her why they were penned?

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www.saikousiameseandorientals.com

"Love a lot, trust just a few and always paddle your own canoe"
"Who is the greater fool - the fool themself or those that follow them"

As you know we currently have 10 kittens and we love and enjoy them running amok,climbing the walls and generally playing..the charge sound of kittens being kittens is a very welcome and loved sound in our house..again did either you or your friend ask them why they were caged in different rooms?

were these very young kittens??

I also use cages when necessary, particularly where very young kittens are concerned. This is mainly for their safety for instance, when I am busy doing something and I can't keep a watchful eye on them, or when I go out.

I find it doesn't affect their socialisation in any way, in fact I find that a cage can be a good way of introducing a potential show kitten to being in a pen on the show bench for 8 hours plus.

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I usually put kittens in pens at feeding time, this is so they only eat their own food and not the adult stuff, and mum doesnt end up eating all their kitten food

Also If there are quite a lot of kittens you have to be quite careful when they are underfoot. Ok letting them run amok when you are keeping an eye on them, but I know somebody who accidentally stood on one once and it died So I would say controlled playing out time is good).

I have used a cage with my kittens when they were young but that was to keep them out of Saffron's way so she didnt swipe them when we were not there! Once we got home we let them out. Plus it keeps them safe from other dangers.

But they are 5 months old now and growing up - so they have the run of the hallway!!

I did cage Baloo for the first few days while she settled in as there was still growling and hissing going on from the resident cats - but she soon went in the hallway like the rest!

I may have to seperate my new adult queens (that are coming on Thurs) until things settle down. Not sure about putting them in the cage or not but I may have to keep them in the conservatory instead while things settle down and the cats all get used to each other while we are there to supervise!

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Breeders of Burmese & Siamese Cats
www.purrfactor.com

If they were permanently confined to a large pen or bespoke kitten room it would.

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www.saikousiameseandorientals.com

"Love a lot, trust just a few and always paddle your own canoe"
"Who is the greater fool - the fool themself or those that follow them"