Weaning?

[GandysGurl20]

I've been introducing the good veggies to Charley, in itty bitty little pieces and mostly as a snack since he's still primarily on formula. He's only 7 or 8 weeks old. I'm worried though that he is already trying to wean himself? I have some rodent block, and he has been eating that and his veggies (tomato, carrots, and lettuce for now). I've noticed that he's only eating at the most 5 mL of his formula at a time, and then running around his cage, looking for something. When I stick some of the rodent block or veggies down, he's right on top of them. Should I be worried, or is this normal behavior?:dono :thinking

[equine623]

I'm not an expert on here, but if he's looking for solids then try to make them as nutritionally packed full as possible. Check out the nutrition forum, I think carrot needs to be limited a bit because of the vitamin A content. Give dark leafy greens (especially dandelion leaves) and other veggies, rodent block if good and there is a recipe for something called Boo Balls that incorporates formula if I'm remembering correctly that helps make up for what they are't getting via liquid form. Tomato is technically a fruit - not sure if that's considered the same for squirrels and lettuce is not as good as say mustard greens or the other dark greens. Just FYI :)

How sure are you that he's only 7 or 8 weeks? When and how did you get him? (was he a eyes closed baby, someone saw him on the ground near a nest, etc) I only ask because the babies I raised from a couple weeks old and younger took formula much much longer than the ones I got that were older and had had more time with their squirrel mom.

How often are you offering formula, and what kind are you using?

Sorry for the long reply... :)

[stepnstone]

I don't understand the "rodent block if good"?? :thinking Rodent block is the essential food source that should be given first and eaten dailey. Then the healthy veggies, then a piece of fruit if good. Nuts should be limited to 1 or 2 but only if the block and veggies are eaten.
It is not unusual for squirrels to wean themselves but for captive squirrels it's up to the caretaker to ensure a nutritional diet. MBD is serious, can be fatal and happens with many (captive) squirrels once weaned.
I suggest you read the forums on squirrel nutrition as well as MBD and educate yourself on both subjects. Your baby's health and well being depends on you and your knowledge to provide both.

[Kristal]

Encourage him to eat formula. But if you can't do so then get it into him with boo balls until he is at least 10 weeks old and more like 14 weeks.

[astra]

:) pretty much what everyone said:
1. first solid food - rodent block only (for a week or so, until he starts eating it). Then everything else (plenty of green veggies, some fruit, limited nuts). This will ensure he will eat his block for the rest of his captive life, and that will be your insurance against MBD.

2. keep giving formula for as long as he will take it, as much or as little as he will take it. Some people continue giving formular mixing with yogurt etc.
Even all he takes is 5ml, keep giving him this 5ml of formular for as long as possible

[Rhapsody]

Try offering him formula first thing in the morning when he is at his hungriest and before you offer him any thing else to eat...... then he will take the formula until he no longer wants it.
Many squirrels when they start to wean will only take formula in the morning and maybe once again at night.

[Rhapsody]

Here are the two blocks I feed my squirrels:
HHB @ http://www.henryspets.com/
HT RB #2018 @ http://www.thecraftyrat.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FS_05lb&Category_Code=FS

[4skwerlz]

Encourage him to eat formula. But if you can't do so then get it into him with boo balls until he is at least 10 weeks old and more like 14 weeks.

Keep him on formula as long as possible (you can try adding a small amount of vanilla yogurt to make it taste better). Also provide a quality rodent block or squirrel block to nibble on. As Stepnstone said, rodent block must be the basis of his diet from weaning until he is released, as it is the only way to provide a balance of essential nutrients. Please check out the Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels in the Nutrition section for more tips.

Booballs are a homemade recipe invented by two TSB members. The creators are in the process of figuring out the nutrient content of the balls. They appear to be high in fat, which can cause overweight and block nutrient absorption. Until the nutrient content is determined, they are not recommended as a substitute for either formula or rodent block.

[mugzeezma]

Keep him on formula as long as possible (you can try adding a small amount of vanilla yogurt to make it taste better). Also provide a quality rodent block or squirrel block to nibble on. As Stepnstone said, rodent block must be the basis of his diet from weaning until he is released, as it is the only way to provide a balance of essential nutrients. Please check out the Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels in the Nutrition section for more tips.

Booballs are a homemade recipe invented by two TSB members. The creators are in the process of figuring out the nutrient content of the balls. They appear to be high in fat, which can cause overweight and block nutrient absorption. Until the nutrient content is determined, they are not recommended as a substitute for either formula or rodent block.

Actually the BooBalls are not a whole lot different than weaning babies on block soaked in formula...I do not add anything extra while weaning except the applesauce to add moisture and that is 80%+ water.
You can leave out the coconut oil.
BooBalls are a method and the recipe has variations.

[equine623]

Sorry, that was a typo I meant to say rodent block IS good, not if good. Sorry