Releasing him back to nature

[wiggles]

I'm new at this but I'm greatful for the info that I've had from the squirrel board forum - my story is - we found this little guy one very cold day this summer at our cottage - he was naked and icy cold - mom was around but never came near - he is now about 10 or 11 weeks old - still likes his formula at least once a day (Espilac water baby rice pablum unsweetened apple sauce and a little whipping cream) I started him on the pedialite feeding every 2 hours - he is now healthy and very energetic but my intentions are to release him back to the wild - but he has no idea how to gather food for the winter - and they are often severe here in Ontario - I will foster him over winter until spring if necessary but would he survive on his own with me not being there thru the winter to be sure he has food - also I see that yogurt is used in some of the feedings - any particular brand?? many thanks for any help - from Wiggles Foster mom.

[JohnRegsaver]

Dannon All Natural Vanilla or Plain...no sugars added, and no LITE
a dab in his formula will help his gut flora and especiall if using ABs

you can thank jackie for the information :P

[4skwerlz]

I believe it's too late to release in Canada this year, but can a rehabber confirm this and help Wiggles' mom with some advice?

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I too think it is too late for a fall release in Canada. Here in Ohio we relesase through the end of October, but it usually doesn't start snowing until middle to end of November. When do the nuts fall from the trees there? You want to time your release with that as that will be what he is eating and storing.

You should have him in a cage with some dirt or something so he can practice burying nuts. I think reds like to stash it in trees and stuff more than bury though, because mine are always putting it in the nooks and cranies of the cage. You should wait until he is displaying this behavior before you release. Plus he should be able to crack open a nut (almond, pecan, or chestnut) before he goes free. When he is doing both these things, keeping his weight up, and active and not friendly towards you any more, he is ready to go! If there is lots of food out for him, release now, with a nestbox so he can stay warm. If there isn't food available or it is snowing, you will want to overwinter.

[wiggles]

Many thanks for your help - since he is still really a baby we will winter him at home and late spring when we go back to the cottage to stay, we will follow instructions and ideas I have learned from TSB forum - appreciate the time you took to answer my questions - Wiggles foster mom.

[Ratman]

We had to keep Lucky inside through last winter because it was to late to release him.
I hope you have a big enough cage for your little guy, I got 2 big dog kennels and put them together so I could put branches, sticks and leaves in there for him.
You may want to start gathering up leaves and sticks before the snow comes so you'll have enough for the winter...I got two huge bags of leaves and several tubs of sticks for when I cleaned his cage....leaving only the BIG branches in there.
It was a slow process getting Lucky back into the wild last April but he now lives happily in his nest about 50 feet out in the woods in back of us....he visits almost everyday and will still hop onto my arm to get peanuts.
I hope everything goes as well for you as it did for us with Lucky :)