Over Wintering a Tiny Baby Black Squirrel

[sqrl luv]

I am fairly new to the rehab business, but have had my fair share of squirrels that I successfully released. I now have a tiny female black squirrel that will be wintering over with me due to her small size and some injuries from her fall. Her name is Sadie and she is beautiful!!! She is unable to grip very well with her back right claws so climbing is a bit hard for her. I need any and all advise I can get to successfully raise her over the winter. I work thru Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. We feed them 1 part GME mixed with 1 part Multi-Milk and 2 parts water. I am still feeding her 3 times a day as she doesn't particularly care for the veggies and fruits I've been giving her. I want her to grow and be releasable this spring. Please help me! I want to avoid things such as MBD and hair loss!
Thank you,
TJ

[astra]

the most important aspect of overwintering is nutrition.
I replied to your other post here:http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22490 (at the very end), so I won't repeat all details, just really briefly:

1. FV is best
2. Never wean her, let her wean herself. she should be eating FV for as long as she will take it. Some squirrels continue eating formula in the release cage
3. she needs block
Block should be her first solid food.
She may not eat it right away, but she will if she always has a piece with her.
After she eats block willingly, add veggies.
After she eats veggies willingly, add some treats: a small piece of fruit and/or a nut no more than ONE PER DAY

2. Out of cage time.
A lot of stimulation, play, activities
Squirrel proof your room where she will have out of cage time

3. No contact with house pets at all, if you have some.
She should be securely away from any and all house pets

4. She will need a good cage - you can post a separate question b/c people build all sorts of their own cages.
A lot of people use Critter Nation as available at www.henryspets.com

Sorry to be so brief, got to go

Others will chime in

[Anne]

:goodpost Keep trying with the veggies and good stuff. Formula as long as they will take it.

[sqrl luv]

Thank you SO much! I just want her to have the best care possible! She is a sweetie!

[Anne]

Sounds like she is getting the best possible care :D

[Sq-and-Chippy-Lover]

Need photo!! I love black squirrels!

[sqrl luv]

186181

[pappy1264]

What a beauty! She looks great! Yup, fv as long as you can get it into her (start offering it in a dish, so hopefully she will take it long after she stops wanting a syringe!) Block (I use both hhb's and mazuri. I give hhb's in the morning, and the mazuri for the night. Greens, good veggies, small amount a fruit. Nuts as treats, after all the other things have been eaten. Things to keep her mind, healthy, too. I will hide their treats in places so they have to 'forage' for them. Lots of good branches to chew. I take toilet paper rolls, put a couple nuts, wrap in white tissue paper and let them rip em' open (they play with the tube long after the nuts are eaten and tend to put the paper in their 'nest'...lol) Lots of exercise (ALWAYS SUPERVISED), but they need to sleep in a cage for safety. Make sure to not allow stashes, as as she matures, she will feel the urge to 'guard her stash'. I love wintering over....I have 5 I am wintering over this year.

[2ndHandRanchRescue]

ditto!
She's stunning!

[Sq-and-Chippy-Lover]

Such a cutie pie!!! Thanks for the photo!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

gorgeous! my favorite color

[FuzzyButt]

adorable.... i just love black squirrels! dont get to see them often around here. :wave123

[sqrl luv]

Thank you all! She's a sweetheart!