New mommy to sextuplets =)

[ctyler4]

Hi everyone! What a relief to find such an awesome network of people and information!!! My daughter found a nest of baby "rats" that had been disturbed by our dogs. Once the dogs discovered it there was no way to leave the babies as the nest was torn apart and we are in Canada where it is still pretty chilly. I am originally from Texas and have raised baby coons, but that was years ago. My brother has a lot of experience rehabbing all sorts of babies so I have someone I can call anytime to ask questions...just no one local. Anyways I got the babies into an aquarium with baby blankets, a heating pad (under half of it) and ran to the store to pick up Esbilac (just ordered FV), and syringes. The babies were still warm when we rescued them and looked as if they had just been fed. I was not able to find any nipples that would fit the syringes but for the time being we are using just the syringe until my order comes in. It is working well. Well, we soon realized that these were not rats but little squirrels! I was so delighted to hear that!! They are about 4-5 weeks old and are just beginning to open their eyes. I am feeding them about 4cc every 3-4 hours around the clock, at least until the the FV arrives. Also mixing in the heavy cream to the formula. They are peeing and pooping at every feeding and are doing great!! I have spent a lot of time on this forum reading about possible problems and also wonderful success stories!! Have 6 babies is a lot of work but I am falling in love with these little guys and girls! If there is anyone around the York Region of Ontario I would love to chat with you! I will also need some assistance in mid May, I have a 6 day trip to Florida planned and would like to find a "trusted" member to squirrel sit while I am away. I look forward to the joys of squirrel parenthood and learning from all of you! Here is a picture of one of the babies :Love_Icon

[wheezer]

Precious:Love_Icon

I know there are some members here that live in Ontario, not sure where.
I hope they soon see this thread:)
I have spent summers all my life in the Haliburton area...beautiful country:thumbsup

[skarabrae]

Awww the cuteness!! They look so tiny to me, being how old they are! :Love_Icon

There's a rehabber named Dee who lives in Trenton who could probably take them off your hands forever... last I heard, she still had room but that was a week ago. I don't know that she'd squirrel-sit them, but it never hurts to ask! If you PM me I'll get you her number.

How did the dogs manage to get to the nest? Normally squirrels are so cautious about where they put them... waaaayyy high up there!

Sounds like you guys are doing well :)

[ctyler4]

Thanks Wheezer =) I have only seen Ontario, never Haliburton, but heard it is beautiful!

Skarabrae giving them up forever is not an option. I want my kids to have the experience of being able to raise and release them =) I may have to train a friend how to care for them while I am gone. The nest was behind our lawnmower, only about 2 foot off the ground, on a wooden bench. This is why I initially thought they were rats. Not sure I can PM you yet but if I need Dee's number I will let you know. Thank you!!

[skarabrae]

I totally understand, I have three kids (real ones, not furbabies :Love_Icon)and so far it's been a really great natural sciences project for them! :D Not that they actually get to DO anything with the squirrels, but it's fun to watch and learn.


ETA: In three weeks they'll be eating some solid food and might only need to fed three times a day... so it will be a lot easier to find someone to hang out with them. They'll be getting a little nuts by then though - I hope your friends LOVE you! LOL!! What a weird place to find a nest :thinking

[pappy1264]

omg...how cute! I wonder if the nest could have fallen, cannot imagine a red building a nest that low to the ground! Good find and sounds like you have everything under control. Keep the pics coming, we love them!!! (Wow, six....that is a lot of babies in one family!!!!)

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Awww, sweet little baby reds. Cute but oh so bad. In a few weeks they're gonna be running around like crazy! Reds always have such big litters :shakehead, makes it harder to keep track of everyone when they're running around.

Good luck with the little tykes.

[ctyler4]

Thanks y'all =) I think they are pretty darn cute too! Pappy1264, I think the next was blown down. We have had some pretty bad winds lately and I can't see a squirrel nest being built where this one was..plus my dogs would have found it earlier. Squirrelsrule&bunniestoo, they are just beginning to hop around now that their eyes and ears are open, I can only imagine how crazy it will get!! I will post more pics soon!

[silentenigma]

Hope the babies are doing well. Love little reds, adorable! :)

[squirrelfriend]

I live in Mississauga and could babysit for you if needed. I have lots of experience with squirrels.

[ctyler4]

Squirrelfriend I sent you a PM!

The babies are doing great!!! They look like little squirrels now and OMG they are insane! I usually have at least 2 babies on my head and the rest between my feet and neck when I am feeding and playing with them! They are soo crazy and so much fun!

:jump

^^^^ That is exactly what it looks like at feeding time

[squirrelfriend]

I have the babies now. Cytler4 is going to be moving so she brought them to me. This is my first time with reds. When I first responded to this thread I had only skimmed through it. I didn't even notice that they were red squirrels. I didn't know that they were reds until I looked into the carrier. Imagine my surprise!! I am so delighted to finally have the chance to raise some reds. Cytler4 did such an amazing job with these little guys. They are all so healthy and bouncy! I've got some work cut out for me here but so much fun too! I am already trying to think of names for them. One of the boys will be Eric the red and another must be named Jeffrey( any long time members of TSB will know why.)

[gs1]

I didn't know that they were reds until I looked into the carrier. Imagine my surprise!! I am so delighted to finally have the chance to raise some reds.

:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

:thumbsup good luck!!! :hidechair:D

[ctyler4]

Thank you again Squirrelfriend for offering to take them! You don't know how relieved I was, especially after finding out that we are moving so soon. I hope you are adjusting to the craziness :crazy Please post pics as often as you can! We would love to see how they grow. I will stay on this board and hopefully when I get settled into the new place I will get a chance to raise babies again :)

[Gina]

:jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump

I love happy endings...and new beginnings.

[squirrelfriend]

I just fed them a while ago and you are right, while you are feeding one the rest are either running all over you or at your feet. They are so cute. I will be taking lots of pics. I did already but they are on my phone. I have to ask my husband how to upload those. Those won't be that good of quality anyhow. I will take some with my camera soon for better quality.

[chelleashley]

Oh, you're gonna be busy Wendy if you get those two from Oshawa. :D Sounds like lots of fun though!! :jump