I also agree that all ferals should have their ears notched. My Sky was not a feral but his ear is slightly notched. They think that he was hanging out with a feral colony for food so he was considered to be feral. I can barely notice the notch and I think it gives him character.

I find it hard to believe that your kittens and mother cat now have only one ear left. Can you please take a few pictures of them to show us what the vet did to them?

Here's a picture of Sky and you can hardly even notice the notch in his left ear which would be on the right side when you're looking straight at him.