I recently found a batch of 5 new kittens abandoned by their mother in my backyard. Since then, I have taken them in. I think they are now about 8 days old or so. I bottle feed them cat formula, clean them and keep them in a heated kitty box. They eat very well I think, but I just can't tell if they are healthy and happy. I know its hard to be away from the mother at such a young age, but I felt obligated to take them in and now love having them around. Is there anything in particular I should be doing? Do they need to go to the vet at this point? Their eyes are starting to open but are very and get crusted shut all the time... is this normal at this point or do you think they have eye infections? I know this is a lot of questions, but I really want to make sure they are doing OK. Thanks!

You are doing an awesome job! When I was about 9 I raised 4 baby bunnies abandoned at birth the same way, and they all lived and grew up to be very healthy and strong. The crust in their eyes happens because they are being handled so much. It happened to my cats kittens when she started letting us play with them, the vet told us to dillute epsoms salt in warm water, and gently soak it and wipe until their eyes are clear. Its kind of important this early to keep the puss and crust out. It could cause problems with their sight if it's not attended to, but we never had any cats be effected in the long run. As they get older this will go away. When they start getting older you can start give them warm whole milk with Karoe syrup, it's also important they get enouph sugar since they aren't getting their mothers milk so they don't become hypoglycemic, but as long as the cat formula is actual cat formula, you should be okay.. just remember the syrup if formula starts getting expensive, (they love it, and it's cheaper) you are doing an awesome thing by taking this upon yourself!! It's worth the effort trust me! Good luck!

Please do not ever give kittens or cats whole cows milk. They are not able to digest it.
Only give replacement KMR kitten formula, or any other brand of kitten replacement formula.
Here is a guide on how to hand raise orphaned kittens that is from the No Kill Animal shelter I volunteer with called Faithful Friends. It also helps you trouble shoot problems associated with hand raising them.

http://www.faithfulfriends.us/Resources/Orphan%20Kitten%20Guide.pdf

Good Luck, and thank you for taking in these helpless babies. Please remember to have them all spayed and neutered before you adopt them out to help control over population.
Your local no-kill animal shelter should be able to help you out with this and adopting them out to kind, loving, forever homes.

If you haven't already I would take them to the vet, just to get them checked out for any disease. You want to catch it early before it gets worse! But I'm sure the kittens are happy and healthy! Sounds like you're doing a great job!

I agree you should take them to the vet, but if that's too much expense, watch them carefully and maybe ask vet about eyes. I raised 3 kits in the same circumstances (kept one and a 2nd has returned to me). I lost one and almost lost a 2nd. I think the cause was blocked urinary. Stroking them after feeding, esp sides/belly, like burping a baby seemed to be the trick for saving that 2nd one.

I mixed a formula with white karo and powdered milk mixedw/water... damn, I seem to think there was a 3rd ingred... when I ran out of actual formula. I also got one of those 'good' bacteria supplements (comes in a syringe-like applicator but for the mouth, not injecting). But check your formula to see if it has this first.