Barn Cats

[Snarl]

I know absolutely nothing about working cats, so if anyone can provide some personal knowledge or advice, it will be greatly appreciated.

Any cat can be a good barn cat.  Not everyone can be good at owning a barn cat.

1st - spay.  You don't need litters you'll eventually have to 'take care of'.
2d - acclimate (two birds here).  You'll have to keep the cat with you until it's big enough to fend for itself.
3d - cold heart.  When you put the cat(s) in the barn ... that's it.
4th - understand.  Cat's are natural murderers.  Anything a barn cat can kill is gonna die ... including your chickens.
5th - feed it.  Keep your relationship.  A can of wet food every week or so is all you need for this (a hungry cat hunts ... a lot).  Open the can, in the barn, slowly, and scrape the food out into its feeding bowl.
6th - it's still your responsibility.  Be ready to take your cat to the vet.

OBTW: Barn cat poop is still cat poop.  

1. So you don't put out a liter box for your barn cats?
2. What about personal interactions, will they come when called? 
3. Lazarus has me all screwed up. 

Bear with me.  This kind of reply is the best format I've got until I learn this new board.
1. Not necessary.  There's a spray you can lay down that'll keep them from pooping where you don't want them to be.
2. Yeah ... Barn cats are cool with the person that feeds them the way I told you.  Sometimes, you've gotta let them rub their lips on you ... it's their thing.
3. I feel your loss with Lazarus.  You're so lucky to have had him for twenty years.  Think what it would have been like for him to have lost you.  It hurts ... but, better for them if your pets go first.

My dad left behind a couple of dachshunds.  When I flew in for the funeral, they wouldn't leave my side.  They knew my dad had passed and they wanted me to keep them.  Everyone could see it ... not just me.  I couldn't take them though and that impression burned itself deep.

My B-I-L had a cat that behaved like a well-trained dog too.  Passed away last year.  I had never seen anything break my B-I-L down before, but he did love that cat.