Going back to work feeding schedule

[Petnick]

I'm a teacher and I'm going back to work next Thursday and I am wondering about my baby red.

I've been taking care of him since August 3rd. He is about 5-6 weeks and I feed him formula four-five times a day. I stopped feeding him during the night 3 days ago. This morning he started nibbling on a banana. Yesterday, he graduated from his cardboard box to his big boy cage.

When I work, I leave around 8:30am and I'm back by 5 pm.

I am hoping he will be eating more next week, and thinking of leaving him formula in a little bowl...but I'm not sure. I would start doing this a few days before I start working to see if he eats it.

Assuming I can't find anyone to feed him during the day and knowing that there is absolutely no way I can take him to school does anyone have any suggestions?

I have a thread about him in the "Introduce yourself" thread. His name is Merlin.

Thanks!

[island rehabber]

You'll need to get a quality rodent block for Merlin ASAP, like Harlan-Teklad 2018, or KayTee Forti Diet Rats & Mice, or Zupreem Monkey Biscuits....and have them available for him at all times. In addition, I would get him Henry's Healthy Blocks (HHB's) from www.henryspets.com (http://www.heneryspets.com), and give him one in the morning and one at night. You can give him formula three times a day, morning evening and night, and leave some in a bowl for him during the day. the important thing is to get him on rodent blocks before ANY OTHER solid food. Bananas have too much sugar and you'll have a little sugar/junk food fiend on your hands before you know it.

[NaturesGift]

:goodpost :goodpost :goodpost :goodpost :goodpost you dont want a junkie!!!!the first food mine will eat are HHBS:thumbsup

[Jackie in Tampa]

mine get blocks too as first food...HHBs are the best!:thumbsup

[island rehabber]

Just by way of more detail, as the baby transitions to more solid food you'll need to offer basic rodent block as well as the one or two HHB's per day. HHB's are supplements to regular rodent block and a healthy diet -- in other words, you don't fill up a bowl wth them and leave it there as you do with other blocks. :)

[Petnick]

Thank you for your replies!

I put a rodent block in his cage last night...and saw him nibbling it this morning. At his morning feeding, he only ate half of want he usually eats. He is now also very confident at climbing all over his cage. It looks like he grew up overnight! It looks like he is telling me it ok to go back to work!

[Petnick]

I just checked Henry's. Shipping a bag of Healthy Blocks to Canada costs 23$ to 60$............

[Legomom]

See if you can find supplies to make your own HHBs. A lot of members do. :peace
http://www.thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27994

[Sidewinder]

How early do they need rodent blocks? I am really new at this! Not even sure how old my Oscar is.

[Legomom]

I usually start putting them in the cage with them about a week or so before they open their eyes. Basically, once their eyes are open (about 6 weeks) you should start offering blocks for them to nibble on, but still give them formula until they are eating blocks, fruits and veggies exclusively.

[Jackie in Tampa]

In this case, it maybe better to order formula directly from FV, they are in one of the northern states, near Canada somewhere....I think.:)
800-679-4666:thumbsup
However...HHB Blocks are made in Florida ....

[4skwerlz]

I just checked Henry's. Shipping a bag of Healthy Blocks to Canada costs 23$ to 60$............

Hi there,

The shipping calculator on Henry's website almost always overestimates international shipping. The actual cost to ship 1 or 2 bags of HHBs to Quebec is around $12. This may vary depending on where in Quebec you live. When the actual cost to ship is less than the amount charged, I refund the difference via Paypal.

Hope this helps.

Leigh

[Petnick]

My little dude is so smart! I put some formula in a small bowl, and he drank it all. I guess I don't have to worry!

I also made him Boo Balls...but they turned out to look more like Goo Balls!:tilt
He ate a bit of that as well, so he will be fine when I go back to work!

[island rehabber]

OK being THAT cute should definitely be illegal.......:D

[Petnick]

I'm repeating myself as I posted in "Introduce Yourself" but I just wanted to thank you all for the help you gave me!

Merlin is doing great! He likes to drink his formula from a little bowl and he is eating well. Last week he was into tummy tickling (his tummy, my tickling:D ) and the new game this week is to walk all over me as I am walking in the house.

Tonight he started brushing his teeth!

[hammyhobby]

You'll need to get a quality rodent block for Merlin ASAP, like Harlan-Teklad 2018, or KayTee Forti Diet Rats & Mice, or Zupreem Monkey Biscuits....and have them available for him at all times. In addition, I would get him Henry's Healthy Blocks (HHB's) from www.henryspets.com (http://www.heneryspets.com), and give him one in the morning and one at night. You can give him formula three times a day, morning evening and night, and leave some in a bowl for him during the day. the important thing is to get him on rodent blocks before ANY OTHER solid food. Bananas have too much sugar and you'll have a little sugar/junk food fiend on your hands before you know it.


Sorry to jump in on this, but are you saying it's okay to leave rodent block out for him and also given him 2 HHB's as well? (And of course formula 3 times a day.) I'm in a similar situation!

[Rhapsody]

Sorry to jump in on this, but are you saying it's okay to leave rodent block out for him and also given him 2 HHB's as well? (And of course formula 3 times a day.) I'm in a similar situation!YES - as Rodent Blocks are more of a diet (food) and HHB is a supplement for their daily vitamins and minerals/calcium....... two different things. :thumbsup

[hammyhobby]

YES - as Rodent Blocks are more of a diet (food) and HHB is a supplement for their daily vitamins and minerals/calcium....... two different things. :thumbsup
Thank you for the clarification! I've been taking my baby to school (I'm a senior in college) and work with me. I'll continue to do it as long as needed, but when she starts eating solid food I'll start doing this with mine as well. Even though I get separation anxiety when I'm not with her!

[Rhapsody]

Yeah - usually around 7-8 weeks old they can be left for a good 6 hours at a time with Rodent Blocks and Vegetables to hold them as a feeding..... and dont forget the good old Glass Water Bottle for daily fresh water - The Ones with the Yellow Duckie in them are AWESOME!! - just make sure you fill them all the way UP each time before use for a no drip exp.