New Papa

[Timecode]

Hi. New to the board, new to raising these cute critters, and New for these 2 cute 6 week brother Grey's. Got 're at 3.5 to 4 weeks and doing fine. Post pix shortly

[HRT4SQRLS]

to TheSquirrelBoard

Precious babies! Great photography also.

[redwuff]

Way too cute! Welcome! What formula are you feeding?

[Timecode]

Feeding 5c.f. of Esbilac powder every 4 to 5 hrs. They both beg for more

[Nancy in New York]

Feeding 5c.f. of Esbilac powder every 4 to 5 hrs. They both beg for more

How much do these little ones weigh?
You can feed 5-7% of their body weight.
Go up gradually if you are feeding less.
Meaning increase the amount ~.5 - 1 mL
at a time.....for a couple of feedings.

Just watch that their little tummies don't get
hard or bloated. It should feel like a balloon
after feeding.

[Timecode]

1 weighs 100g the other 80g

[Nancy in New York]

1 weighs 100g the other 80g

For the one that's 100 grams, "rule of thumb" would amount to 5-7 mLs per feeding.
For 80 grams that would be 4 - 5.6 mLs per feeding.
We call it a "rule of thumb" as an estimate.
We need a starting point to guide members.
Mamas don't restrict the amount of formula.

You say 4-5 hours, is this through the night as well.
How many daily feedings are you giving?

Here's a GREAT thread to read about that "rule of thumb"
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ule&highlight=

Just remember to increase slowly at each feeding.
Watch for hard bloated tummies.
Watch for whitish poops, which may be an indication of overfeeding.
If that occurs back up a little.

Keep us posted.

[Timecode]

At present both their poop is a light mustard and fairly firm. The 5% - 7% is a thumb rule, so no harm in increasing to 10%. Just need to watch their poop for overfeeding indications eh?

[Timecode]

And about 3 maybe 4 feeding a day, none at night now. Did give em 1 or 2 at night last week.

[Nancy in New York]

And about 3 maybe 4 feeding a day, none at night now. Did give em 1 or 2 at night last week.

They need to eat MORE.
If you feed 3-4 times daily that would amount to 15-20 mLs for the entire day.
This is WAY too little of an amount for their age.
Yes increase it SLOWLY.
Meaning go up a little at each feeding.
Try between .5 and 1 mL additional for
2 feedings, then go up again.
Watch for hard tummies.

[Nancy in New York]

This was posted by another member.

Healthy Baby Squirrel Weight -

Based on --Wild Mammal Babies 2nd Edition


Birth ---: between 15 & 25 grams

1 weeks: between 25 & 60 grams

2 weeks: between 60 & 70 grams

3 weeks: between 70 & 80 grams

4 weeks: between 80 & 120 grams

5 weeks: between 120 & 150 grams

6 weeks: between 150 & 250 grams

7-8 weeks: 250 grams and greater

*weight may vary depending how long the orphan baby squirrel has been away from mom and or food.

[Timecode]

Oooo ..... accordingly, they are underweight. Will increase feeding, and watching tummies. This is based on FL Grey's?

[Nancy in New York]

Oooo ..... accordingly, they are underweight. Will increase feeding, and watching tummies. This is based on FL Grey's?

No I don't believe it's based on any one particular squirrel,
this is just the range in weight of a tree squirrel.
That's probably why such a gap.

[Timecode]

Fed both guys 6 & 7 ml respectivly. The hungrily slopped it down. Both still wanting more. Dont want to overdo it tho.
Just introduced them to a new cage I have. A modular 2 story cage with 1/2" mesh. (wires running one way). Their poor little feet keep falling thru the mesh. Do you guys suggest maybe smaller mesh for the floor so they can walk easier?

[Nancy in New York]

Fed both guys 6 & 7 ml respectivly. The hungrily slopped it down. Both still wanting more. Dont want to overdo it tho.
Just introduced them to a new cage I have. A modular 2 story cage with 1/2" mesh. (wires running one way). Their poor little feet keep falling thru the mesh. Do you guys suggest maybe smaller mesh for the floor so they can walk easier?

Can you post a picture so we can see what it looks like?

[Timecode]

[Nancy in New York]

Yes they need something on the bottom.
I put bathroom rugs on the bottom of my cage floors,
but my cages are also different.
The bars should go horizontally for them to climb better.

Are they still using a heating pad?

They also LOVE tons of fleece put in the cage on the bottom so that
they can bury themselves in it, and if they fall while climbing they
don't hurt themselves. They love little stuffed animals with no plastic
eyes they can chew off. They love round stuffies to roll around with too.
And they love SOFT cubes to sleep in.

Let me look for photos of a cage that's ideal for this age.
Personally I think this cage is a little too big for them right
now at only 80 and 100 grams.

I will find photos of something that may work better for them now.
Edit:
This is my starter cage. See the spacing and the bars.
I can show you what I move up to the older they get, but I don't
want to crowd your thread with my photos.

.......................

[Timecode]

Larry is now 120g and Carlen 145g. Fat & sassy. Specially Carlen. Amazing the differences in their personalities. Larry is so active. The explorer, Carlen laid back. Except at feeding time. Both frantic!
Did put a thin plastic cutting board on bottom of the cage. Much better! All bars are horizontal except wall with the door.
They were intermitten with the heating pad last couple of days. Still have pad under the cage tho. Have a box for them to nest, tho they rarely come out cept after feeding. Larry loves to explore. Carlen follows sometime. Only have 1 level assembled at this time .... for falling issues.

[Timecode]

Larry & Carlene man cave .... Ok?

[Nancy in New York]

I don't think the heating pad will do any good on the bottom.
Perhaps they are old enough where they don't need it.
I like the new additions!