Question regarding my baby boy <3

[Ghostie]

Some of you may know me from an earlier thread, regarding feeding questions (which was filled with so many helpful answers, thanks so much everyone!)

I have another question, having determined that my baby boy, who I'm now naming Nibbler, considering how he likes to nurse and nibble on every part of my body haha <3 He seems to be under five weeks old, so, my question is this- At what age should he be released? And, because I live in Maine, it gets extremely cold, really quickly, will he be old enough, and prepared enough, to be released before winter? Will he be able to find and collect enough food to survive? And, another issue, I do NOT want to release him around my house, I have two cats that love to bring me gifts (heartbreaking), and neighborhood cats are everywhere... If I can't release him at my house, I can't ensure that he'll have food (I can't put out food for him)... Should I keep him until spring?

Thanks so much, I know this was really long. <3

[Scooterzmom]

Considering his age and how he has nobody to teach him the usual skills that his mom would normally teach him he would have to winter over with you. He is too young to be sent out on his own and for learning everything. I'm in Montreal - similar weather as yours - and the nights can be freezing even as early as late September. You will have to make sure he doesn't get used to your cats, so that when the time comes for release in spring he doesn't think that all cats are his friends.

[Ghostie]

Considering his age and how he has nobody to teach him the usual skills that his mom would normally teach him he would have to winter over with you. He is too young to be sent out on his own and for learning everything. I'm in Montreal - similar weather as yours - and the nights can be freezing even as early as late September.


This is a relief to me. I just don't want to say goodbye :( I have no problem keeping him over the winter. I'd keep him forever if I could, and only if he'd be happiest that way (which I doubt, he's a wild little boy, probably perfers the tall trees and freedom over mommy) and it's illegal to keep them as pets here :/

I love him <3

[Ghostie]

Considering his age and how he has nobody to teach him the usual skills that his mom would normally teach him he would have to winter over with you. He is too young to be sent out on his own and for learning everything. I'm in Montreal - similar weather as yours - and the nights can be freezing even as early as late September. You will have to make sure he doesn't get used to your cats, so that when the time comes for release in spring he doesn't think that all cats are his friends.


And, no, no, no, my cats would try to play with him, and they don't play gently. They'll never get used to each other, they won't see eachother! <3

[UDoWhat]

Considering his age and how he has nobody to teach him the usual skills that his mom would normally teach him he would have to winter over with you. He is too young to be sent out on his own and for learning everything. I'm in Montreal - similar weather as yours - and the nights can be freezing even as early as late September. You will have to make sure he doesn't get used to your cats, so that when the time comes for release in spring he doesn't think that all cats are his friends.

:goodpost Scooterzmom.

:wave123 I am in Maryland and I am thinking the same thoughts about over wintering. I took in a 2&1/2 week old today. I quickly started to calculate the weeks. There are only 13 weeks until Oct 31. I usually don't release until 14-16 weeks of age. I have released in Nov. some years but... not often. Sooooooo looks like I will be keeping her and some others until the spring. If the weather holds, maybe, but what's the chance???:dono Relax and enjoy your baby. He will be with you until spring. I usually wait until we have about 2/3 leaf cover on the trees so they are not so easily spotted by predators.

Marty

[Ghostie]

:goodpost Scooterzmom.

:wave123 I am in Maryland and I am thinking the same thoughts about over wintering. I took in a 2&1/2 week old today. I quickly started to calculate the weeks. There are only 13 weeks until Oct 31. I usually don't release until 14-16 weeks of age. I have released in Nov. some years but... not often. Sooooooo looks like I will be keeping her and some others until the spring. If the weather holds, maybe, but what's the chance???:dono Relax and enjoy your baby. He will be with you until spring. I usually wait until we have about 2/3 leaf cover on the trees so they are not so easily spotted by predators.

Marty

It's hard to relax with him in the house :P He likes to run up and down my bed and then jump all over me, grunting and everything, and he loves to be chased by my hands on the bed, haha, so hyper and wonky.