artichoke

[spamrestricted]

Hi,

I'm about to feed lunch/veggies to my squirrels and this is first time feeding artichoke. Is there any special way to feed this or do I just cut up the leaf into pieces?

[Jester]

I had the same problem when I tried feeding one, I had no idea what part of it I was actually supposed to feed him lol.. I tried googling how to prepare one or what part you're supposed to eat but everything I found gave like an 11-step process on how to prepare it.. in the end I tried giving him random pieces, none of which he ate so I just gave up.. hopefully you'll have better luck. :D

[Scooterzmom]

If raw, t only part of the leaf that seems to interest squirrels is the tender part at the very base of the leaf - yellowish-white part. Seems they're like us in that respect: the rest of the leaf (except when you get very close to the center as you peel the leaves off) is too tough and stringy to eat.

I cut the stem off and keep the heart of the artichoke and then I scoop the fuzzy part out and give them the rest of the artichoke heart and they do like THAT very much.

[Tara]

Make sure not to give them the fuzzy stuff in the center! I cut in half and scoop it out with a spoon. They say it'll choke them! I always cut off the points of the leaves with scissors too. :dono

Also, I only cut what I'm going to give them right then. Many foods can be prepared in advance...this one is not one of them in my opinion. Cut in half...scoop out fuzzy stuff....and then I slice a piece from top to bottom. A wedged piece, I guess it how to explain it. I put the full half and the remainder of the portion I just cut off of into a plastic baggie. It turns brown quickly. Others may have better ways to keep it fresh.
My LG loves artichoke!

[SammysMom]

I buy the smallest ones and give him the whole thing. He then pulls it apart leaf by leaf like any human being and nibbles the edges and tosses the leaves. When he gets to the heart he eats much of it. He LOVES his artichokes!!!:thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

I found this from one of our members....it's the cutest video of her squirrel and the artichoke.:Love_Icon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AHKdwpTlnQ
Then I found what another member does...
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17641&highlight=artichoke Post #11 and she has pictures too!!!!

[chickenmom]

I found this from one of our members....it's the cutest video of her squirrel and the artichoke.:Love_Icon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AHKdwpTlnQ
Then I found what another member does...
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17641&highlight=artichoke Post #11 and she has pictures too!!!!


That video is so cute Nancy! I had no idea they loved artichokes. Gives me an excuse to buy them again, I stopped buying them because Greg hates em.

[Nancy in New York]

That video is so cute Nancy! I had no idea they loved artichokes. Gives me an excuse to buy them again, I stopped buying them because Greg hates em.

You know if nothing else....he sure stayed entertained for a long time....well at least 8 minutes....:rotfl

[spamrestricted]

Thank-you everyone, the videos and suggestions are great. We are now going to give them the artichoke and see how it goes - I'll be videoing too :thumbsup