Houses for Barn Cats

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Gold Shaw Farm
PO Box 225
Peacham, VT 05862

About Gold Shaw Farm: Gold Shaw Farm is more of a farm-in-progress than an honest-to-goodness farm. We dream that someday we can transform our 150+ acre parcel of land into a regenerative and productive homestead and farm.

[FeedMeSalt]

Our barn cats slept on or directly around the cattle.
Mister kitty was a very old man who moved into the house after years of service but he was incredible with kids so we made the exception.

One of our mother cats also used too sleep in with the chickens, she would claim a nesting box. And end up under a brooding hen sometimes.

She wasn't a good hunter, no killing in her, but she raised good kittens so we kept her around.

[andrewosborne]

Long time viewer. First time writer. The electric heaters in the straw makes me nervous. Be careful!

[alexification]

Seeing all those plugs on one outlet had me spooked.

[Jomama]

You need to add the lid to your tote with a cubby hole cut out for them to get in it. Cats like small enclosed spaces where they feel safe.

[undwenndumichkusst]

I think the cooler barn cat house is a very good idea. I don't know about piling them, though, it'll probably just make them fight all the time. Maybe spacing them out in the places they usually hang out at inside of the barn at a safe distance from each other so they'll feel comfortable enough. The coolers would allow you to put a heated mat inside and it would maintain that heat really well since that's what coolers are for, after all. Then again, you might just put some fluffy stuff or straw inside of there and the heat of the cats would heat it up gradually as they slept. Cats generally like small places like that so heat mat or no heat mat, they would love it either way. But a cooler house with a mat would be heaven to them.

[CitroenGS]

We have two sheds at the patio on my house at the countryside. The roof of one of them fell and we had to repair it. We demolished it and made a better shed, and put the electrics, that old sheds didn't had. We also put the electric installation on the other shed, one light point and one plug. That shed has no door. Just minutes after we finished the installation, one of the free roaming cats we have on the patios and roofs of the block installed himself on the shed, squatting on it... ;)

[lynnbetts]

Regular heating pads are not made for leaving on all the time. For outdoor use, seed starting mats or pig farrowing mats are waterproof and safer around hay. For extra warmth, do you have the hair you brushed off the cattle? Put a layer of that on the hay or mat, and they will snuggle down in it.

[ilenesatchell]

As a person who cheerfully cooks homemade food for her 15-year-old cat, I say blessings on you for giving your cats comfort and choice. Not every owner recognizes how very important both are to cats.

[BouncingTribbles]

I was surprised you didn't cut a door in the tote and put it on top of the heated mat. Cats definitely prefer enclosed spaces

[omegafighters]

Make sure those extension cables you're using are rated for that much electricity. Those can heat up pretty hot as well.

[greghamann]

Even though this is completely unnecessary I totally support your right to do so. They have earned it.

[KristenRowenPliske]

I have a tote/cooler house for the strays in our neighborhood. We cut a hole in it, added blankets, put the lid on & left it inside some bushes. They still use it.

[bekind]

I think the open heating pad is similar to when you’re exposed to the elements and bundled up. You still need a ski mask bc any exposed part of you will freeze. But idk if you need to go to all that trouble of converting a cooler. Could just use some wood to create the ‘A’ frame. Wrap it w/non-flammable material, maybe a thin pad from an outdoor lounge chair. Put hard plastic at both ends w/the heating pad inside. Super-simple. Really great of you to ensure they can all be nice and toasty on those freezing winter nights.

[UNBIASEDCOMMENT]

look how chubby they are. the amount of fluff you squish every single day proves you are truly blessed.

[RealFarknMcCoy]

Morgan, if you want to save a bit of $$ on electricity and also reduce the risk of fire from using heating pads, I highly recommend the Snugglesafe microwave heating pads. I have had some for years and they seem to last forever. They stay warm for about 12 hours after a few minutes in the microwave. The only downside is that they have to be reheated every night.

[michelleblake]

Its so cool watching how u care 4 all u'r barn family - Luv seeing the cattle getting used 2 u even seeking u'r affection! Don't know if people thank u 4 all the work u do 2 post these good quality video's....(I know its allot of work) I usually feel so relaxed after watching a few - its kinda like meditation. Really appreciate u'r sharing these wonderful critters w/us Morgan.
Many Blessings 4 Christmas n Awesome New Year : )

[timothyruggles]

Just think it's insulated heated and a blanket gotta love it

[erinnh]

Yes to the cooler idea. As a recycler, it may be a good idea to ask on a local forum if anyone has any old coolers that they no longer want. Saves money and saves landfill.

[gaylewatkins]

Hi Morgan, thanks for not only taking excellent care of Toby and Abby but also excellent care of the lovable barn cats. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[piratejennish]

When I lived in the crappy part of Syracuse I always wanted to make some of those cooler houses for the strays around there but wasn't there for that long. 💖 I'd love to see the cooler build.