Looking for more details on proper squirrel nutrition

[sqwrlgrl]

I have worked very hard to feed my squirrels "right".
Over time the definition of "right" has changed and I am very happy to have found TSB and the lovely list of foods that are best for my E Gray squirrel who is not releasable.

I struggle with quantities though.
For a while my interpretation of a few nuts was REALLY off!
My vet corrected me on that.

Now since I am making sure to focus on larger quantities of the veggies I struggle with how much to offer.

If I give too much I am wasting food, which is costly as I buy a lot of variety of high quality produce which I share with her.
If I offer too little I worry this will make her go hungry, and since I don't allow a stash anymore she has no relief until the next meal.

I do give 2-3 HHB's each day which she eats.

Would some of you with lots of know-how be able to post photos of a day's food offering so I can gauge the quantity of veggies, fruits and other foods per day?

I am also curious how you offer food throughout the day and what times are best feeding times.

I would really appreciate that and it would be a nice visual for newbies to go with that link that has the squirrel food pyramid.

Thanks!

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123 ...ooops, i have already chopped for the day...being devoured as i type!
squirrely steves thread, chuck my friend,...always has yummy sq platter pics...
ck out chucks smorgasboard...
here's a link!:D
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15493&highlight=chuck+friend
we love pics and sq stories!






I have worked very hard to feed my squirrels "right".
Over time the definition of "right" has changed and I am very happy to have found TSB and the lovely list of foods that are best for my E Gray squirrel who is not releasable.

I struggle with quantities though.
For a while my interpretation of a few nuts was REALLY off!
My vet corrected me on that.

Now since I am making sure to focus on larger quantities of the veggies I struggle with how much to offer.

If I give too much I am wasting food, which is costly as I buy a lot of variety of high quality produce which I share with her.
If I offer too little I worry this will make her go hungry, and since I don't allow a stash anymore she has no relief until the next meal.

I do give 2-3 HHB's each day which she eats.

Would some of you with lots of know-how be able to post photos of a day's food offering so I can gauge the quantity of veggies, fruits and other foods per day?

I am also curious how you offer food throughout the day and what times are best feeding times.

I would really appreciate that and it would be a nice visual for newbies to go with that link that has the squirrel food pyramid.

Thanks!

[island rehabber]

I don't know where I heard this but somehow I was advised to put out only 2 chunks, appx 1" x 1" of each "chunkable" food, per squirrel. So, I'll put out two chunks of sweet potato, apple, etc. per each squirrel. I'll take a long, wide leaf of kale and break it every 1" or so, per squirrel....two snow pea pods per squirrel, etc. I usually don't have much waste at all, and if they run out of the good stuff there's always two kinds of rodent block :D:D. BTW I stopped putting out cucumber and zucchini....most squirrels don't like them and those two veggies will stink up your cages like nothing else :shakehead.

[sqwrlgrl]

Thanks Jackie, I will see if I can find the pics on Chuck's thread.
It's one of my favorite threads anyways and I remember seeing some of those menu displays!

The reason I am asking is because lately my two adult squirrels, Melly who is NR and Mr. Magoo who I am rehabbing,
seem hungry towards the end of the day.
They bug me until I give them something if I'm nearby.
I spread the food out, offering the blocks and produce first, then later in the day throw in a few acorns and a second block and in the evening a nut.

IR, your description sounds about what I give I suppose.
I do one piece per item because usually it's 5-6 pieces on a bed of greens.
It's probably a loose cup of field mix or spring mix and a 1"x1" chunck of broccoli,
cauliflower, summer squash, carrot, celery, and zuchini (mine seem to like that one!) and if in season one or two green beans.
Of course they don't eat all of it and it varies by mood what they do eat.
They also get a chunk of apple or one or two grapes.

I was wondering if I should split the veggies and fruit and give half in the morning and half later in the day.

It may just be they are taking advantage of me and trying to train me to feed them on demand!!
Melly bites my feet if I let her sneak up on me and that tells me she's real serious about it. :rotfl

[mugzeezma]

Thanks Jackie, I will see if I can find the pics on Chuck's thread.
It's one of my favorite threads anyways and I remember seeing some of those menu displays!

The reason I am asking is because lately my two adult squirrels, Melly who is NR and Mr. Magoo who I am rehabbing,
seem hungry towards the end of the day.
They bug me until I give them something if I'm nearby.
I spread the food out, offering the blocks and produce first, then later in the day throw in a few acorns and a second block and in the evening a nut.

IR, your description sounds about what I give I suppose.
I do one piece per item because usually it's 5-6 pieces on a bed of greens.
It's probably a loose cup of field mix or spring mix and a 1"x1" chunck of broccoli,
cauliflower, summer squash, carrot, celery, and zuchini (mine seem to like that one!) and if in season one or two green beans.
Of course they don't eat all of it and it varies by mood what they do eat.
They also get a chunk of apple or one or two grapes.

I was wondering if I should split the veggies and fruit and give half in the morning and half later in the day.

It may just be they are taking advantage of me and trying to train me to feed them on demand!!
Melly bites my feet if I let her sneak up on me and that tells me she's real serious about it. :rotfl
I throw in frozen greenbeans and peas. Cilantro is another thing you can toss in there or parsley. Mine are hauling it into their nestbox now.
Quantity?
Watch how much they consume. It's also okay to leave it through the next day. A lot of people over serve and there is a lot of waste. Their begging might be for goodies rather than food. THey can get picky if you let them.
I would split the plates like you said...AM PM... Make them clean their plates first :D

[Jackie in Tampa]

a HHB in the morning
a salad for late lunch and FV or HHb for dinner and nuts for bedtime.

this is the daily sq cafeteria!:Love_Icon
the flyers tray
the babies bowls
the littles, the middles and the bigs
the Gpig and bun bun
:sanp3 the turtle had already been fed...
I really don't have time to do a catering service, so they get one salad a day, period.
Not everyone likes everything, but I don't throw away much!:thumbsup

[SquirrelsinSingapore]

I envy those squirrels you keep!

:thumbsup