There were six kittens born – three red males and three dark-looking females. At birth, an experienced breeder will check the appearance of the kittens as it is possible to see which ones have the required straight profile and long tail if they are to be show cats or breeding cats - details which will quickly become blurred as the kittens begin to suckle and grow. But of course, the main thing is to ensure that all are healthy and lively and feeding properly.

Birth weights can vary enormously, and sometimes tiny kittens can develop into big cats as adults. This particular litter were all much the same weight as each other – between 3¾ and 4¼ ounces each (100-120g).

The queen started giving birth at around 11pm and finished at 2am. She coped by herself, washing each kitten in turn before producing the next. She did not seem to experience much pain or effort – unlike human mothers!

This photo was taken immediately after the birth. As the kittens’ fur dried it was possible to see that the dark ones were all brown/black mackerel tabbies. One had tiny white toes and a white ring round her tail. One of the red boys was mackerel tabby too, with white shirtfront and socks. The others were a rich, dark classic tabby and one had a white tail-tip.

As breeders like to be able to tell the kittens apart so as to check on their individual weight-gain daily, the variations in markings are helpful. Closer inspection reveals that the smallest girl was a much redder-brown colour than the others, so this sufficed to tell who was who. For the next week there is no sound from the kitten box apart from the queen purring, and occasional little sucking noises as the kittens all become very fat.

Here are the kittens aged one week. They have nearly doubled in weight, and some of their eyes are beginning to open although they will not be able to focus for a while. Their umbilical cords have all dropped off and ‘disappeared’ – cleaned up by Mum, who will also perform ‘nappy duty’ for the next few weeks, which is a polite way of saying she eats the kittens’ wee and poo! The nest is kept spotless.

When kittens’ eyes open they are always blue at first. It will take a few months for the true adult colour to develop – in the case of this litter, they will probably end up having bright green eyes, or maybe pale gold in the case of the red ones. Only time will tell.

By the time they have reached two weeks of age, all the kittens’ eyes are open and they are beginning to stumble around the nest, although their day is still occupied completely by eating and sleeping. They still cannot regulate their own body temperatures so need to be kept warm but not too hot.

At three weeks of age, the kittens are beginning to react to sound. Up until now smell has been their most important sense. They still cannot focus properly, and toddle along at a good pace but stumble frequently. Their ears are moving towards the position they will occupy when they are adult, but they are still well down the side of the head.

Some of the kittens are already beginning to purr. Other than that they don’t make much noise at all.

At four weeks, the kittens are becoming more steady on their feet and are just beginning to sample food other than their mothers’ milk. They are given cans of kitten food, and/or flaked roast chicken and fish, but they try out Mum’s dry food too because they now have sharp little teeth.

At this point they each weigh around one pound (400grams) – quadruple their birth weight.

At five weeks, the kittens are able to race around quite confidently and can clamber up and down the side of sofas and climbing-frames. They are tucking into kitten food and using their litter trays properly, although they will still continue to suckle from Mum until they leave home. The kittens are now interviewing their prospective new human slaves.

Mum is still being extremely conscientious about her kittens’ welfare, and sometimes when she is feeding them she is almost submerged by a sea of purring furry bodies and kneading paws.

At seven weeks, the kittens’ eye colour has changed to grey-green. They continue to entertain human visitors so as to become well socialised and develop friendly, properly adjusted personalities.

The more handling the kittens get in the weeks leading up to, and beyond, seven weeks, the more confident they will be when they grow up. A few very short car trips can get them used to travelling, too.

They are little acrobats at this age – leaping, pouncing and wrestling with each other.

By eight weeks the kittens weigh around 2lb each (800-1100g) and continue to spend their time playing, eating and sleeping. By now poor Mum is looking a little frazzled, but she seems to enjoy playing with them and teaching them how to be a Forest Cat.

Nine weeks is a milestone in the kittens’ lives, because it entails a trip to the vet. They are going to get their first set of inoculations. They are already used to the car, and cause a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘aaahs’ in the waiting room. Once on the examination table, they try to play with the vet’s stethoscope. The vet finds it difficult to hear their heart-beats because they are purring so loudly, but eventually, after a thorough check-up, they are all pronounced fit and well.

At ten weeks life goes on as before, with a little less sleep, even more food and very skilful playing and climbing. They are now like miniature cats, and it is difficult to believe that they did not even exist three months ago.

The other adult cats in the household, including the males, help to bring up the kittens and are excellent aunties and uncles.

At eleven weeks, the kittens are given a second dose of wormer. This is not really because they have worms, but ‘just in case’. They swallow the pill without protest, and just carry on playing, washing, eating and sleeping.

It’s a hard life….

Their eyes are now a bit more green, although the colour will continue to develop for many months. (NFCs also sometimes have gold eyes, or even blue eyes.)

At twelve weeks it’s time for another trip to the vet. The kittens’ second inoculations are due. This litter is being microchipped at the same time, and the big microchip needle does cause one or two of them to squeak in protest; but a moment’s soreness is well worth the lifetime benefit that chipping a kitten will bring. They continue to play madly and eat and sleep a lot, and continue to be cared for by Mum and all the adult cats of the household.

By this stage, the kittens are gradually becoming recognisable Forest Cats. Compare this boy’s head with the world-famous NFC logo and you can see for yourself:

But all of these kittens will continue to grow and develop, getting more powerful bodies, more distinctive heads and proper weatherproof coats, not reaching full development until at least four years of age.