New kittens are super nervous won't come out of hiding

[LiveLifeToTheFull2]

We picked up two 9 week old kittens yesterday and although they were played with at the home they were born in I’m not sure they’ve been handled/cuddled much yet.
They have spent most of the time since we got them home last night hidden away under the sofa, they seem really terrified.
Please tell me they won’t always be like this?! I was so excited but I feel disheartened as they seem sooo scared.
Is it just the new settling in phase and they need to learn to trust us?
I think we made the mistake of opening up the whole house to them and they are just running away from us everywhere all around the house and hiding in places.
Should we get them used to us in one room first?
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks

DCat arrived as a kitten, and hid behind the sofa for three days.

It's normal.

All very normal. Just leave them alone for a few days to settle, they’ll naturally start to come round to you. Also much better to keep them confined to one room at the beginning - full run of the house is very overwhelming for a kitten and makes things much more difficult for you - how are you managing to keep track of them?!

Yes I would give them a smaller space to get used to. Then slowly introduce the rest of the house.

One room, but hard to fully answer without pictures

Restrict them to one room, let them get used to space. Then get them used to you being in the space by sitting quietly in there completely ignoring them.
I brought two 8 weekers home last year. The one we didn't see for 4 days is currently sitting on my head.
Let them come to you.

I was going to ask for the kitten tax but as she can't see them it might be hard to get pictures.

Very normal Definitely keep them in one room. And then just sit in there reading a book and fully ignoring them - curiosity will win out!

We have had our kitten 5 weeks now .. it took a weekend to settle her , she hid under our sideboard. We kept pushing the food bowls to her . She ate after 24 hours . What got her out was dangling string in her eyeline .. she could not resist. Anyway 5 weeks on she's incredible and certainly not shy .

They are very young. As others have said restrict them to one room for the next few weeks. Sit in there quietly and read, chat, watch tv.
They will come out. So long as they eat and poo, even when it’s you aren’t there, all is good.

Please don't fret, purfectly normal, they will appear and you will have lot of playful days ahead.

😳

Can't possibly advise with photos

To confine them to one room, won't she have to catch them first?

I’d leave their food, water, toys and litter tray in the room + keep an eye out. They’ll soon sniff their way there

I had a kitten like that. It came from a breeder, who had a very quiet, childfree household and so was not socialised very well.

He hid under my bed as soon as I got it home. I tried to coax it out, but this seemed to make him more scared.

I decided to leave him be, after making a nice bed for him Placed water, food and a litter tray nearby and left him to his own devices for a day or so (keeping a close eye on him, making sure he was eating and drinking, but not invading his space). I then got a dangly cat toy and would occasionally get his attention and encourage him to play, from the safety of his hiding place.

After about 3 days he sauntered out from under the bed, had a bite to eat and slowly headed toward the bedroom door - which opened onto the lounge. I continued to ignore him and watched as he started to explore. He then approached and allowed me to give him a stroke and we built it up from there.

It didn't take that long for the little guy to trust me. That was 19 years ago and he's still annoying the crap out of me 😁

They are very young, and suddenly away from their Mum, siblings, and everything familiar to them. Very normal for new kittens/cats to hide away for days. Give them one safe room, with litter tray, food and water. And somewhere to hide. Go and sit in room regularly with a coffee and door open, and just read, chat. If they appear,. maybe have a feather stick under a small rug/blanket, to play with them. They will come round with patience. https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/pregnancy-and-kitten-care/bringing-a-new-kitten-home#:~:text=Bringing%20a%20kitten%20home&text=Most%20kittens%20aren't%20keen,if%20their%20surroundings%20smell%20familiar.

Do not do this!

9 weeks is quite young for kittens, so one room with all their stuff with quiet visits until they find their paws. It is very early days though so don't fret, don't fuss, just make sure they have access to everything they need.

My old cat hid for 5 days only coming out to eat and use his tray at night. He gradually started to get braver. He was the best cat and was such a cuddler that was obsessed with me after a few weeks. They will come around

Totally normal. They just need calm , time & space. You can get some feliway if too if you like

I've always left any safe access open so they can explore. Just fill their needs of food , water, tray.
When they come out around you don't make a fuss, let them find you
No loud noises if can help and lots of toys

Kittens should always be given a small safe space to explore first.

Is your house kitten proofed? My concern would be them getting into a tiny gap somewhere and needing to be rescued.

Two of my kittens managed to get behind the skirting boards and the oven, one shut himself in a cupboard and another climbed up the chimney!

Apologies. I tried to delete as I’ve seen that butter is not good for them but it was too late. (But that was the advice from a rescue years ago and worked well for me, so not completely left field!).

Guys!! Today is amazing they are so different and have come to us playing and even for cuddles! They are bread cuddles and they wriggle away but it's so much progress!
Thank you all for your advice we kept them in their safe place of their conservatory room and then let them come to us.
You have all been really helpful thank you!