Hi Shadow..I would say that kitties need to stay with you and Mom until they are 8 to 12 weeks old. Depending on many things..size, eating ablility and what kind of home they are going to. I had a extremely beautiful black smoke persain that the Mother died when the kits were 6 weeks and the lady who had a deposit on her was notified and I asked her if she wanted to take responcability of her and her up coming vet care..she clamed she did she was soooooo excited to get the baby she called Gracy...well 2 to 3 weeks later she came and said the kitty died and she was ticked at me..I didnt guarentee the kit since she took her at her own risk and she was told of what was happening at my house with the Mother dying and all..well..she elouded to a vet diagnosis and I said I wanted to see it but she never showed me any thing then she said the cat didnt get enough neutrition...she had told me early on when she got her that she was giving her cows milk..I told her to stop since it isnt good for them...Well The next thing I know she claims it was dead..I dont know what the real story is since she didnt offer any vet recipts or any thing..I have made my own assumption. She didnt feed the kitty enough or the wrong things and she had young kids and they might have hurt her or neglected her. I havce no proof that she took this kittie in to the vets at all. I had the kitty eating moist food with the rest of the cats when it left..I dont know why she clamed it wasnt getting any nurtition..and why do you wait 3 weeks if your claming the kitty was sick when she got it. I give vet checks and shots with all the pets I sell or place...so I have no idea since she never did back it up. Some people think she lied about it dying and was trying to get her money back...or it might have died but how can I be responcable that long after it has left..I tell everyone to get them vet checked uin 48 hours now of purchasing...and I have it is writing..Not like it can do much but at least I try to do the right thing...As for the moral of the story...no matter what time they get seperated...things can or might happen...Just make sure the new owners are not morons like this lady I told you of...Make sure that the kitties are eating on their own and cross your fingers that the people will do right by them...I wish you luck with placing the babies

Sandy, the mom is so protective she hardly lets me near them, but I'LL try to take some pics tonight.Thanks Huron for the info.