Semi-Feral Cat - How long between cycles? Litter box training?

I have a semi-feral cat who I feed every day and has become comfortable enough with me to come into my house. She had a litter 12 days ago, and I've been keeping her and the kittens in my house, but I let the mama out several times a day to do her business. Every time I let her out, the male cats jump on her like she's in heat. Is it possible for a cat to go into heat less than 2 weeks after having a litter? (Obviously I can't get her fixed until she's done nursing, so that's not an option at this time.)

Also, is there any way I can train her to use the litter box? If she doesn't learn how, I'll have to train the kittens. I'm raising them to be house cats so I can find them homes. I bought a litter box but when I put her in it and moved her paw to simulate digging, she didn't seem to understand. Is it possible to litter train a semi-feral cat? Anyone have some tips?

You are wonderful! She won't go into heat while she's nursing but watch her when the kittens are weaned (about 8 weeks old). She should go to the box automatically as cats have a natural instinct to cover their leavings. Try taking her there several times after she eats. She will take the kittens. Make sure the box is small enough for them to easily get in and out of. You can use those disposable tin roasting pans and use clay non-clumping litter for a few weeks. The kittens sometimes eat the litter and the clumping kind will cause intestinal blockage. Keep litter pan in a quiet, low traffic yet accessible area near the kittens. Thanks for taking them in.

It may be the type of litter you are using. Try basic clumping litter. If that doesn't work, maybe some plain sand or dirst mixed in and gradually redule the mix until you have pure litter.

Remember this is an outside cat so she is used to pawing in dirt and leave mold and such. You have to sort of accommodate her and teach her about other things.

It is not wise to let her out. Suppose this Tom Cats jump her and kill her or she is struck by a car or poisoned by a cat hater - then you have a litter of kits to raise by hand - not fund every four hours feeding for the next 8 weeks or so.

She will make a good house cat when spayed. the litter training is sort of trial and error but a mix in inside and outside materials may help the situation.