Flyer question

[JayBird]

I have a baby flyer (no eyes yet) and I would like to know about how much she should be eating per feeding? If you can help please let me know. She is currently a little smaller then your pinky finger, just starting to get her fur? All in all, just as cute as can be...
We don't have a lot of flyers in this area so my experience is limited, she is truthfully the smallest flyer I have had the privilage of caring for. So, I just want to make sure I have my ducks all in a row to give her the best care possible.
Thanks for the advice and help in advance.

[JayBird]

No problem, I am happy to answer your questions...:)
And thank you for the warm welcome...:thankyou

I did not find the baby, she was brought to me after a cat brought her to someone's door. She does not have any major injuries from the cat, just two very small scratches. Small enough to warrant only some antibiotic cream.

I am a permitted rehabber with the LA Wildlife and Fisheries, and I have LOTS of experience with squirrels and raccoons. As for flying squirrels, I have raised them before (not very many) but this is the smallest one I have received so far. Which is why I want to make sure she is eating enough.

Currently, myself and my other rehab friends are over run with babies that were blown out of trees because of Gustav. And of course, now we will be getting even more now that Ike is on his way. So I hate to ask someone else to care for her since we all have SOooo many already, and of course doing so would just add to someone else's work load and worry if the power goes out.
:thankyou :thankyou

[C*ndy]

Welcome on board JAYBIRD!:multi Glad to see you finally came in!!! Awesome place !!!!! enjoy! :Love_Icon
Muffin can help you with this baby!!!!

[Kahn]

No problem, I am happy to answer your questions...:)
And thank you for the warm welcome...:thankyou

I did not find the baby, she was brought to me after a cat brought her to someone's door. She does not have any major injuries from the cat, just two very small scratches. Small enough to warrant only some antibiotic cream.

I am a permitted rehabber with the LA Wildlife and Fisheries, and I have LOTS of experience with squirrels and raccoons. As for flying squirrels, I have raised them before (not very many) but this is the smallest one I have received so far. Which is why I want to make sure she is eating enough.

Currently, myself and my other rehab friends are over run with babies that were blown out of trees because of Gustav. And of course, now we will be getting even more now that Ike is on his way. So I hate to ask someone else to care for her since we all have SOooo many already, and of course doing so would just add to someone else's work load and worry if the power goes out.
:thankyou :thankyou

Some Esbalac mixed with whip cream (real, not the compressed can stuff) will give that little fella the protein it needs as well as a healthy amount of fat. It won't be as good as mom's milk, but it'll be relished once it gets a taste. Ours ate about 4 to 5 CCs at the start, then moved up at the weeks progressed. At about 7 months, he was eating around 3 syringes.

Flyers don't need full spectrum light, but do need warmth. And being that little, a good quality heating pad is in order. Also, they love small pouches (like regular squirrels) around your neck or what not so they have body warmth. It may also form a strong bond with the person wearing the pouch most often.

The flyer you have is completely nocturnal. They come out at night most often, typically right as the sun crests. They have excellent night vision and hearing, thus the need for dark for defense and feeding time. Ours wakes up around 8pm-ish and will be up for hours jumping around, hiding nuts, chewing on blocks, visiting us in our bed to occasionally wrestle (like a cat) with my hand.

At about the 2 month mark, they'll start to nibble on foods. We started ours off with some soft vegies and fruits. Sun flower seeds are also a good type of nut since they're pretty soft when being introduced.

When that small, they'll need stimulated now and then to potty. We kept a washable rag close by and did that before every feeding. Their metabolism and digestive system is super fast, so you'll be doing that regularly at first. If you put them in a litter box of sorts when the eyes are open and moving around more at potty time, it'll associate that with the box.

Flyers are more intelligent than most people think. They love to scavenge, check out every high place, remember where something yummy is hidden, get in to quite a few things and are curious like cats. And speaking of pets, if you have any like a cat or dog, the flyer WILL get nervous with their unusual scent around. It's their nature to be very distrusting of other animals which keeps them alive in the wild.

They're very, very gentle, benevolent creatures. You might be surprised as to how well they'll read your emotions. That benevolence is what makes them priceless.