Taken on some stray kittens, help please!

[BunnyandBee]

Help! We live in the countryside and have one neighbour. Two kittens have recently appeared, presumed dumped. They have been hanging out in the ditch on the neighbours side. Our neighbour fed them for a few days, but her resident house cat is not impressed and she didn't want to take them on.
We think they're about 4 months old.
We agreed to take them on. so far they come for food and hang out in the evening in our utility room or kitchen. In the day they still prefer the ditch!
We don't shut them in at night, but are in a position where we can lock the kitchen door, and leave the back door open so they can come and go/have shelter.
They are very nervous and almost impossible to touch, but not aggressive. The (presumed) boy is a bit braver and will approach for a treat.
My concerns are we need to get them checked out by vets/immunised/neutered.
Does anyone have some tips to get them to a point where they are not so nervous? I am worried if we can't handle them, we are not going to be able to keep them as we can't cope with the unexpected kittens or poorly cats that we can't help because we can't get close.
Is it just a case of time? Any advice much appreciated!

😍😍 they're beautiful!

Perseverance is the key / my boys are 3 1/2 now and were semi feral when we got them (from a breeder but that's a whole other story) and at times we never thought they would come round it's taken the best part of 2 1/2 years but we are nearly there, there have been setbacks but stick with it and if they regress try not to feel down hearted and just think tomorrow's another day 

What gorgeous kitties, the thing to win them over, Dreamies! Also playing with them even if you spend a few minutes a day with a toy on string or a few little catnip toys they would be in their element.

Thank you for taking them in, I am currently trying to trap a stray cat who has been on the streets for well over 2 years. But he is whily, not even tuna is tempting him, he just sits next to the trap waiting for his dinner.

Oh that's wonderful news! If you can touch them while they're eating and they are in the same room as you already then I'm certain they'll be fine, they are lovely cats, well done op!

Beaverhausen Have you tries a drop trap with you elusive stray? One of ours was trap shy and we ended up ticing him with food into a shed that had a hole as a cat flap cut in it, and then rigging up a guillotine type trap door :D

tried not tries.

@fenneltea I have tried two of the better traps out there unfortunately, he is too whily for us. Do not get me wrong he is in good condition and i am wondering whether he might have an owner somewhere who just could not care. But CP has a space for him and I would much rather get him off the streets and in a home than with someone who can not be bothered to get him neutered.

He has a good diet with me and even last week when we went away for the week, I paid a lady to come and feed him every day.

Ah he sounds a lucky lad Beaver, It's just I've used drop traps successfully in the past when cats have been truly trap shy as they seem happier going under the trap than actually in one, like they have to with a standard trap. If it was urgent it might be worth a go, but it sounds as if he's got everything well sussed out!

Great progress. I'm so glad they have a safe, warm home before winter properly begins.

@fenneltea I am going to text all the rescues I know and see if they have any drop traps. Thanks Fennel.

He has got it sussed I think he is conning a few of us to be honest but I do worry about him as he is not neutered and when I move I want to make sure he has a home.

Good luck Beaver,; wildlife rescues may have one you could borrow too, or if you know anyone handy it is possible to make one, but they do need to be secure and be safe to transfer the captured kitty into a carrier without them escaping, it usually helps to have more than one person and sheets/blankets.. There should be some youtube videos showing how to make/operate them.

It would be lovely if you could get him sorted!

Cat-traps.co.uk do sell drop traps, but I've no idea how much they cost, so it may not be a viable option for you.

Hello! So an update and a request for opinions.
We got them neutered at the end November. It was very stressful for them and it did set us back a bit.
Turns out the girl was in season and they were about 8-10months old, so pleased we did it then...
Since then we haven't managed to get near them, although the girl begrudgingly allows a stroke when eating still.
They sit in the lounge in the evening, but if we move they scuttle off. They still seem quite stressed in our presence and are quite watchful.
They have been looking longingly out of the back door for a while now, so we gave them the choice to go out a couple of days ago. Even in this weather they are choosing to stay out virtually all day and night (despite having an open door to come in when they want to eat etc.).
We are happy to continue this set-up if that is what is best for them, or do people think we should trap them in again with a view to trying to domesticate them further?
As I said in my op we live rurally and there is loads of roaming to be done with plenty of mice to catch! We have a big outbuilding that is dry and warm which they could also be given access to.
I just feel torn and don't want to deprive them long term, so would be grateful for any thoughts.

Keep trying to love bomb them. You will be happier with them in your life the more they like you.

We got two feral kittens for the stables, so they could happily hide and roam etc. The ginger one was NOT a people person but 5 months on she now accepts strokes and will come running screaming at you for food/love
I would give them the access to the outbuilding and then just keep being there

We had two brothers from the same semi-feral litter and one of them was happy to be domesticated and the other was never completely happy with people and preferred to be outside. A cat flap was the best solution as he could come and go without getting stressed.

I would personally set up an area in your out house for them with beds. That way they have shelter and warmth. Keep letting them in and feeding them inside if they want to. I wouldn't force them to stay in. I had 3 kittens from a small holding. I had one my parents have the other two. Mine is very confident and great with the children my parents two are still very nervy and only like my parents and are ok with myself and my sister but very jumpy with loud voices/strangers. They hate children. They still like being out side a lot and hunting. Basically what I'm saying is you've done your best, you're feeding them, got them neutered and are providing shelter. I don't think anyone owns a cat, they own us 😂.

Do you have a cat flap? That is the only way to get feral cats tame. When they feel they always have a means of escape they become much happier to stay inside for longer and longer.

Thanks everyone. We are putting a cat flap in the external door today. This gives access to a large porch/conservatory where their food, box with blanket and litter trays are. They can currently access further into the house through a second door (which currently has a hole cut in). We are replacing that door soon, but will probably cat flap that too so they can choose how far into the house they come.
I see from people's experience that it can take a long time for them to warm up to people. I just want them to be as happy as possible I suppose!

Did the vet manage to deflea and vaccinate at the same time? I’m sure they will make their way back in eventually.

Yes vaccinations, flea and worm treatment given. Ongoing Spot-on treatments provided by vets will be challenging, but we could revert to tablets for worms at least.

The feral cats I've tamed have all been confined to a single room, the best thing is to just ignore them and become the provider of nice things like food and toys when they are ready. It takes months to tame them, but I haven't found one that won't yet.

This website is excellent for advice:- www.theluckyfew.org/site/feral_cats.html