Weening

[aj910]

I have a 5 week old red squirrel (Carl), he is currently doing awesome on Fox Valley 20/50. i give him about 4 cc's of formula about 6 times a day. He is constantly hungry though, and I'm wondering if they are all like this, or if I need to start the weening process, and introduce more solid foods to him. Last night I offered him some tomato guts, and he loved it, but this is my first time with a squirrel, so I know very little about it, and I'm not sure if it's ok to keep doing that kind of thing. I guess if I had to sum up my question into one sentence it would be this. Exactly how, and at what ages, do you get a squirrel from formula to solid foods?

[CritterMom]

This one is still very young. Take into consideration that mama doesn't let them out of the nest until they are 10+ weeks old, so that is the first time wild babies even SEE solid food and water.

That said, at about 6 weeks, you can put a rodent block or two in his nest. At first he will hug it and climb on it and pee on it but eventually he will crumble it up and then finally, relaize it is FOOD!!

Keep him on formula as long as he is willing to take it. It is wonderful nutrition and the longer he eats it the better off he is, including as a supplement once he's eating solid food.

If he is constantly hungry, start gradually increasing what you feed him.

[prncsbabs1]

I have a 5 week old red squirrel (Carl), he is currently doing awesome on Fox Valley 20/50. i give him about 4 cc's of formula about 6 times a day. He is constantly hungry though, and I'm wondering if they are all like this, or if I need to start the weening process, and introduce more solid foods to him. Last night I offered him some tomato guts, and he loved it, but this is my first time with a squirrel, so I know very little about it, and I'm not sure if it's ok to keep doing that kind of thing. I guess if I had to sum up my question into one sentence it would be this. Exactly how, and at what ages, do you get a squirrel from formula to solid foods?

He should be eating 5-7% of his body weight; he is not getting enough food and that is why he is active.

here is what I posted in another thread:

I feed my 5 1/2 wk old every 4 hours. He is eating 7% of his body weight. He is 120 grams.

According to Wild Mammal Baby Book, which is what I follow:

At around the 6 week age feed 4 times a day; I also offer him a samll piece of Avacado, apple and/or a monkey biscut (all while supervised by me...lol)

7-8 weeks Formula 3 times a day and start to offer natural foods.

8-10 weeks they should be eating more solid foods but still offer formula

10-12 they usually are weaned from Mom. They should be able to shell a walnut

14 weeks they should be self supporting and ready for release.

[CritterMom]

He should be eating 5-7% of his body weight; he is not getting enough food and that is why he is active.

here is what I posted in another thread:

I feed my 5 1/2 wk old every 4 hours. He is eating 7% of his body weight. He is 120 grams.

According to Wild Mammal Baby Book, which is what I follow:

At around the 6 week age feed 4 times a day; I also offer him a samll piece of Avacado, apple and/or a monkey biscut (all while supervised by me...lol)

7-8 weeks Formula 3 times a day and start to offer natural foods.

8-10 weeks they should be eating more solid foods but still offer formula

10-12 they usually are weaned from Mom. They should be able to shell a walnut

14 weeks they should be self supporting and ready for release.


This one is a red. Do you have age/weight info on them?

[prncsbabs1]

My bad, missed the "red" part...lol

5 weeks feed formula every 4 - 5 hours....provide weaning/natural foods in cage

6 - 8 weeks feed formula 3 times a day...decrease formula as they start to eat more solid foods (Monkey chow, small pieces of fruit, cherrios, mushrooms etc)

8 - 10 they should be fully weaned and ready for outdoor cage

14 weeks they can be released