Info about feeding wilds????

[free]

Hi Everyone.

I have a question. I have been feeding my wilds here since last Fall. I felt bad because a few of them had mange I am sure and they just looked hungry. Anyhow, I am still feeding them now. I feed them 3 times a day. I have like probably 10 squirrels that come to eat. It started with only 2.

Anyhow, I have been reading that they can become dependent on the food. I think they already have actually as they are always waiting for me like clock work at feeding times. Whenever I go out my back door there is usually one or two there begging for a nut. I was thinking about weining them off, but not sure if it would stress them out. I also have a neighbor who has a problem with squirrels in his attic( I mentioned this in an earlier post). I love all the wilds here and do not mind feeding them, I just dont want to hurt them by making them dependant on me for food( though I think they already are :). Also, I am sure my neighbor is not happy with us right now, but he has had this squirrel issue on and off for a long time already, it has nothing to do with me feeding them.

I do not want to cut them off high and dry, but I want them to eat the wild stuff outside they need to, not only the nuts I give. How do I go about doing this without upsetting them. I was told by a wildlife facility I called that they would become very agressive and may even try and chew their way into my house if I cut them off the food they are use to. What should I do??? Please advise.

[SammysMom]

Good morning, I too have a herd of squirrels who mob me whenever I come or go from my house. If you try to garden in the yard they climb on you to see if you have anything. It's quite a nuisance, but we love them anyway. :D
Now is the time to wean them off of nuts. There is a lot of wild food out there and they can go find it if they don't think the nuts are always there. Just decrease what you feed until they are maybe getting a treat now and then and they will find an alternative. Of course they will continue to beg relentlessly I am sure :rotfl But they will not starve!

[free]

Wow, yours a really friendly, mine will not get as close to climb up on me, but they will stand there and beg until I give a nut. I would love to get close to them, but I am afraid for them. I live in the big city and some people are not nice to the squirrels so I do not want them getting to comfortable where they will get that close to a human. Though I do have a couple that will come right up to my foot and beg.

Do you think they will try and chew through my screens like that wildlife lady said if I cut them back?? I would never just stop feeding them, I care too much for them. I would like to do like you said, just feed them as a snack, not a three times a day buffet meal :) I also have a couple squirrels around here with disabilities. One is woobly and blind in one eye. I hate it because all the other squirrles chase him away. I try and feed him when I see him. I also have one who squeaks alot. His head looks a little deformed. He can get around fine and eats ok, but he cannot eat nuts with the shell on, he cannot break them open for some reason. I give him the open nuts, he loves them. Thanks for the reply and advice....:thankyou










Good morning, I too have a herd of squirrels who mob me whenever I come or go from my house. If you try to garden in the yard they climb on you to see if you have anything. It's quite a nuisance, but we love them anyway. :D
Now is the time to wean them off of nuts. There is a lot of wild food out there and they can go find it if they don't think the nuts are always there. Just decrease what you feed until they are maybe getting a treat now and then and they will find an alternative. Of course they will continue to beg relentlessly I am sure :rotfl But they will not starve!

[SammysMom]

I might try moving where you feed away from the house and then cut back. It might prevent the breaking and entering problem...lol mine do not do that, but I know other people have had the problem.