Our Journey With Maine Coons
Our deep connection with Maine Coons at Feather Hill Maine Coons started unexpectedly with a rescue cat named Cash. He was a Maine Coon/Siberian mix who came from a troubled breeding situation at just four months old. At that time, we were active in rescue work, offering our farm as a sanctuary for animals in need. Cash quickly became part of our family, and his arrival sparked a lifelong passion for the breed. What began as an act of compassion has now evolved into a dedicated breeding program.
The Inspiration Behind Our Name
Our cattery, "Feather Hill Maine Coons," is inspired by our farm's name, Feather Hill Farm. Our founder’s background in avian genetics and breeding has greatly influenced the way we approach the breeding of our Maine Coons. Though our founder is now retired from working with birds, they have a respected reputation in the field, having bred Croad Langshan poultry, a rare breed recognized internationally. Now, we're thrilled to focus on a new chapter of our life, raising and breeding these magnificent Maine Coon cats.
TICA Code of Ethics Registered Cattery
As a proud TICA Code of Ethics cattery, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and care for our Maine Coons. Our cattery is located on 44 acres of picturesque land in Southeast Ohio, where our cats live directly with us in our home, enjoying a loving and spacious environment. Every Maine Coon in our care is treated as a beloved family member, and we ensure they receive the attention, care, and respect they deserve as Gentle Feline Giants.
DNA and Testing
What We Test
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart disease that can affect all cats, including Maine Coons. It is caused by a mutation in the MyBPC3 gene, which we can DNA test for. Cats with two copies of the affected gene (one from each parent) have a very high risk of developing HCM, while those with one copy may remain healthy for life some cats, will present at about 4–5 years old. Regular ultrasound screenings (echocardiograms) are strongly recommended for all breeding cats. Approximately 5-25% of Maine Coons carry the mutation, and 5-15% will develop HCM(HCM1-A31P) in their lifetime. By breeding tested lines, we reduce the risk of passing on HCM to future generations.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare and serious disease affecting Maine Coons, with an occurrence rate of about 1 in 7,000 cats. Only cats with two copies of the defective gene (homozygous positive) will develop SMA. We test all our breeding cats to ensure they are not carriers of this gene, helping us avoid the risk of passing SMA to the kittens.
PK-deficiency is a recently discovered genetic condition in Maine Coons and other breeds. Around 15% of Maine Coons carry the mutation for this condition. Testing for PK-deficiency is straightforward, and only cats with two copies of the gene (homozygous positive) are affected. We ensure that none of our breeding cats are carriers of this gene by testing them, and avoid breeding carrier-to-carrier to ensure the health of future generations.
Blood type B is a recessive trait that occurs in about 3% of Maine Coons, while 15% are carriers of the gene. While blood type B is not a disease, it can cause serious problems when a queen with blood type B mates with a male of the same type. This can lead to complications for the kittens, such as neonatal isoerythrolysis. To prevent this, we test all our breeding cats for blood type to ensure compatible matings and prevent breeding issues.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a dominant-inherited condition characterized by the formation of cysts in the kidneys. These cysts increase in size and number over time, potentially leading to kidney failure. Although PKD may not be clinically evident until the cat is older, we test all of our breeding cats for PKD to ensure that they do not carry the gene for this disease, ensuring the health of our kittens.
Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a hereditary condition that affects the hip joint, especially in larger cat breeds like the Maine Coon. While some cats may have mild HD and live comfortably with it, severe cases can lead to painful and disabling arthritis. We test for HD by conducting hip X-rays on all our breeding cats at the age of 1, and we retest them annually until they are 4 years old. By breeding cats with healthy hips, we minimize the chances of passing on HD to their kittens. Approximately 10% of Maine Coons have moderate or severe HD, which is why we carefully select breeding cats based on their health scores.
FAQ
We have all seen exaggerated photos online of what appears to be a German shepherd size Maine Coon. These images are largely a combination of creative photography angles and Photoshop. If you want to see the true size prior to making a commitment. Either visit a breeder or attend a cat show. As the TICA Standard states. Males can be as large as 25 pounds, they have been bigger, especially if neutered. However, the realistic average is around 16 to 20 pounds. Females, average 12–16 pounds
We keep our kittens until 12 weeks to 14 weeks of age. At least, most reputable breeders do. Even At this young age, the kitten is still developing their immune system. Despite all efforts to provide socialization and interaction, travel to a new home is a major stressor for a little one. We recommend limiting kittens to only one room for as long as a week. Longer if other pets are already part of the family. Allow them to explore the small room with only a few people at a time. The goal is for them to bond with their humans in a safe space. Any pet introductions come later after the kitten is secure and trusting with his owners. One of the first things you must do is show them their litter box. We supply a scent aid from our kitten’s nursery to help facilitate this by having the owner place a small amount of used litter from the nursery in the kitten’s new litter box. They smell it and recognize it as their own.
Absolutely not! Both sexes of this lovely breed are equally loving in their temperament. Some people say that males appear “goofier” or "clownlike". I personally haven’t found that to be true over the years.
We urge a diet of as much wet food as possible. However, kittens require kibble as a supplement. Wet food is the nearest to their natural diet. We are Royal Canin Crown Partners. We start all our kittens off on Mother and Kitten wet, then add the same in the dry formula. At 4 months of age, they may be moved to Royal Canin Kitten or another quality wet and dry food. We start adding NuVet Lab's Daily Feline Vitamins at this age. NuVet fills in any gaps, a large breed kitten like Maine Coons may experience in this rapid growth period. Our cats remain on Kitten food until 14 months of age and NuVet all their lives. Several of our adult cats prefer a completely raw diet, which we source and prepare ourselves. It is important to note the AAFCO pet food guidelines fall way short of what most cats require nutritionally. All they do is establish what the minimum requirement is to be considered balanced for all breeds of cats, all grouped together. We are always here to advise on any pet food choices.
Vaccinations are mandatory. Feather Hill Maine Coon kittens have had their first two sets of FVCRP shots and are due for the last at 16 weeks. A final booster is given about a year later. Our vets recommend a modified living vaccine. These vaccinations are NOT optional. Failure to provide annual FVCRP vaccinations voids our health warranty. We respect the personal relationship people have with their vets. However, we recommend NOT administering the rabies or the feline leukemia vaccine. These are not necessary for inside cats. It is expected these cats stay inside. Please research the risk of administering rabies and the feline leukemia vaccination.
Neutering and spaying is expected and is part of our Pet Only contract
Females are generally spayed after 6–7 months.
Males are different. The latest research identified that rapidly growing large animals, like Maine Coons, need testosterone for the growth of the formation of the bone plates of the hips. So, males can wait as late as 9 months to 1 year. The downside is males spraying once reaching puberty. The first indicator of puberty, in a male, is their urine having a strong odor
This varies on the sex, color, and rarity of color of each kitten. Males are more expensive than females. Shaded and high-smoke males are more expensive than a common tabby male. For 2025 it will range between $1950 and $2250
**Pricing is subject to change at any time before a reservation deposit is sent. Deposits are currently $250. Payment Options: Personal or Cashier's Check (deposit only), PayPal, Cash App, or Credit Card.
Please understand that all reputable breeders are investing in their cats and kittens, and breeding responsibly is expensive and time-consuming. A reputable breeder's price will reflect their investment, time, care, and overhead. REMAINING BALANCE DUE DATE: Once a deposit is sent to secure a particular kitten, the remaining balance is due before the kitten goes home.
Go to the “Contact Us” tab at the bottom of the HOME page and request for our kitten Questionnaire/Application to be emailed to you. It will ask what specifically you are looking for in a kitten, ask for veterinary references, as well as go over our policies. Once returned and approved, we will contact you on when to expect a kitten.
or fill out pre qualification document
Kitten Questionnaire
Kitten Questionnaire
Get in Touch
Contact us today to learn more about our available kittens, our breeding practices, and how we ensure the health and well-being of every cat. We're here to answer your questions and help you find your perfect furry companion.
