Hey, I'm Travis!

[pitter6068]

Hey everybody, I just started feeding the squirrels in my backyard and they are already coming within an arm's reach of me for peanuts. They won't take one from my hand yet, but they're getting pretty brave. Aside from peanuts they seem to like pecans and corn. What are some good fruits that they will like? I've seen some posts that mention giving them dried fruits. Do they prefer dried versus fresh? I live in North Carolina if that makes any difference. Thanks....Travis

[stosh2010]

Howdy--here is a link to the TSB Healty Diet...

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39275

It lists >>>>Veges, Trees Plants and flowers...What is SAFE and Healthy---and what to AVOID !!!
We have an entire NUTRITION section...reading and learning will make you a FRIEND to the WILDS.

[Scooterzmom]

I would avoid dried fruit if I were you; some squirrels have benn known to choke on those. You can offer pieces of apple, pieces of avocado - they usually love avocado. No pit, no skin on the avocado! Those are toxic. Avoid the pits for the apples too. My wilds also like cherries a lot.

Like stosh mentioned, check out the nutrition forum, that will guide you best.

... and welcome to TSB!:Welcome

[pitter6068]

Do you give them cherries with or without the pits? And what about raw, uncooked peanuts, are they ok?

[MollyBear361]

I give kine avocados (no pits or peels), apples, and they looovve red seedless grapes!

[Unikorngrrl]

Peanuts are not good for squirrels. Check out the nutrition forum like they suggested and it will give you a HUGE list of fun things you can alternate to feed them!! :Welcome to TSB!!!

[farrelli]

Corn is probably worse than peanuts because it blocks calcium absorption. Both corn and peanuts are really bad for indoor squirrels but some of both are the end of the world for outdoor squirrels because they can balance their diet better, unless they get most of their diet from you or other humans. I usually on;y give those two things in the winter when they really need the calories, and I definitely don't feed corn in the spring or late summer when moms are nursing because they really need all the calcium they can get.

You might also investigate rodent blocks (Harlan Teklad, Mazuri, Kaytee, etc) which can be bought in bulk and are really good for squirrels. Sometimes they don't like the taste, but we have ways to doctor them if that's the case.

[quagmire]

Hi Travis,

Welcome to the board. Don't give pits on cherries either. I would skip pits on any fruits. Don't know about oranges though. Almonds have the most calcium, which squirrels need.

[astra]

raw peanuts are risky due to aflatoxins.

If feeding peanuts - always roasted (and so that they are shelled and roasted, since they get more roasted when shelled rather than in shell. In shell they often taste barely roasted)

But do reduce peanuts as was already advised.

What I found some wilds will eat:

avocado - no pit, no skin, just the flesh (pit and skin are toxic)
banana pieces (peeled)
peeled apple slices (to peel to avoid potential choking hazard esp. in younger squirrels)
mango pieces - peeled, of course
peeled pear slices
belgian endive - better works in the winter when there are no wild greens
watermelon slices
cantaloupe and other melon slices
Cucumbers
CHeck out Nutrition Forum - any fruit from Health Diet for Pet Squirrels.

I wouldn't put out grapes: skin and the thready thing inside are choking hazard, esp. in younger squirrels.
Unless you would like to peel each grape and remove the inside "thread" ;)

[pitter6068]

OMG this is so confusing!!! One posts says to not give peanuts, refer to the healthy diet information. But it says that peanuts are ok. Another post says that corn is the "end of the world" for outdoor squirrels, but the healthy diet page says corn is also ok. At this point I don't know if I want to keep trying to feed them or not.

[astra]

OMG this is so confusing!!! One posts says to not give peanuts, refer to the healthy diet information. But it says that peanuts are ok. Another post says that corn is the "end of the world" for outdoor squirrels, but the healthy diet page says corn is also ok. At this point I don't know if I want to keep trying to feed them or not.
It's not as confusing as it may seem.

peanuts should be given very, very, very rarely. And only roasted - this has been discussed on the board extensively, and it actually holds true for humans, too - that's why they always recommend buying organic pb and roasted at that. Aflatoxins are dangerous for both humans and squirrels
corn - once in a great while as a rare treat.

In the Nutrition forum there is also a sticky about cal: phos ratio.
It shows "good," "ok," and "bad" foods depending on their cal: phos ratio

[astra]

I just double-checked the Diet:

First of, you can see that peanuts are ROASTED only. THat is consistent with what has been posted here.

Second of, you can see that nuts should be only 2 per day. That already implies that nuts in general should be a rare treat only.
If you have to choose among all the nuts available, peanuts are last on the list because of their cal: phos ratio (check the cal: phos sticky).
BESIDES, peanuts are NOT really nuts. They are legumes.

As for corn - it is not listed under treats at all. It is listed in Group 3 - feeding very sparingly. Then, if you again look at the cal : phos ratio lists - due to its bad cal: phos ratio it should be one of the last choices

So, it's not really that confusing. EVerything is fairly consistent.:thumbsup

[pitter6068]

These are squirrels that live in my backyard. I'm not trying to control their diet. I was just looking for some ideas about what kind of treat would be good for them and that they would enjoy. This is just way more than I ever expected and I'm pretty frustrated.

[astra]

of course, one cannot control the wild's diet ;)

and for the wilds to have corn and roasted peanuts once in a while is not a problem.
The problem may start if that's all they get.

People just gave you suggestions as to what else you could add.

After all there are tons of other fruits and things listed, why are corn and peanuts picked necessarily?

That's all.

As the Diet shows, you have plenty of choices in terms of fruit and even nuts: sesame seeds, hazlenuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans.
If you add these to peanuts, you should be fine.
Just don't go heavy on peanuts - that's all

EDIT: no one should be eating raw peanuts, including humans.
So, if peanuts - roasted and unsalted

[astra]

in my post #9 i listed what my wilds ate.

I forgot to add blueberries and some other berries.

You will have to experiment with yours and find out what they like: try different things and they will let you know what they prefer

[pitter6068]

I think my best bet is to leave them alone. They've lived out there for years without me feeding them, I'm sure they will survive. But now I've got like $50 worth of peanuts and corn that I can't do anything with. Soooooooo discouraging. I was looking forward to making some new buds....

[astra]

I think my best bet is to leave them alone. They've lived out there for years without me feeding them, I'm sure they will survive. But now I've got like $50 worth of peanuts and corn that I can't do anything with. Soooooooo discouraging. I was looking forward to making some new buds....
no one said you can't do anything, what people said: just give them more variety. That's all. Why couldn't you get some other types of nuts and some fruit and add to your peanuts and corn?
THis way they won't be eating peanuts and corn only, and you will be able to use up your peanuts and corn without giving them ONLY peanuts and corn. Easy

[Unikorngrrl]

:goodpost :goodpost Astra:goodpost :goodpost

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Hey Travis

have not read whole thread. try avocado. it's like crack cocaine for squirrels.

peel it, throw away pits! poison!


no peels!


slice it up and hand that out, you will get pretty popular.

[pitter6068]

I'm not trying anything. Everything that I've been feeding is apparently going to kill our squirrels. They will be just fine without me.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome I am a rehabber and I feed my outsiders peanuts everyday...
I also feed pecans and other healthy nuts..
others feed sunflower seeds...
dried corn is good ..it draws crows and they will fight the hawks...
I also offer a daily healthy salad...

keep feeding them TREATS... they will maintain themselves with their natural diet in the way they have for thousands of years...

the only issue with feeding wilds is ...are you attracting them to an area that has cats....and dogs?

otherwise enjoy your back yard buddies... raw peanuts can carry mold that can lead to respitory issues...try to feed roasted...ty!!!:thumbsup

:wave123 :Welcome
we love pics... so where are yours??:poke :D

[MyBushyTail]

:Welcome I am a rehabber and I feed my outsiders peanuts everyday...
I also feed pecans and other healthy nuts..
others feed sunflower seeds...
dried corn is good ..it draws crows and they will fight the hawks...
I also offer a daily healthy salad...

keep feeding them TREATS... they will maintain themselves with their natural diet in the way they have for thousands of years...

the only issue with feeding wilds is ...are you attracting them to an area that has cats....and dogs?

otherwise enjoy your back yard buddies... raw peanuts can carry mold that can lead to respitory issues...try to feed roasted...ty!!!:thumbsup

:wave123 :Welcome
we love pics... so where are yours??:poke :D

:goodpost

I have been feeding my yard squirrels dry roasted peanuts in shell everyday for almost 14 years now and my squirrels are just fine. I also offer black oiled sunflower seeds (which they love), pumpkin seeds, pecans, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts. I also have several apple, peach and walnut trees all which they also eat. They will eat what they want from my treats and then go off and forage for their natural diet. I agree with everything Jackie in Tampa has said and "keep feeding them TREATS... they will maintain themselves with their natural diet in the way they have for thousands of years".

[island rehabber]

Travis: don't get discouraged (or disgusted!) -- you can certainly offer your wild friends ROASTED peanuts and anything else mentioned in this thread.

There seems to be a bit of confusion around here regarding the Healthy Diet: it is the Healthy Diet for PET or CAPTIVE squirrels. When squirrels cannot get access to trees, branches, buds, bark, insects and everything else in the wild, their diet MUST be controlled for the Calcium:Phosphorous ratio. When they are wild squirrels, unless they are in the inner city without a tree in sight, they can basically eat whatever we give them and still be fine because they are ALSO eating wild foods. Their bodies know what they need......they will leave our feeders and go munch on some rosebuds if their bodies tell them they need to.

The reason peanuts, sunflower seeds and corn are so popular with folks who like to feed squirrels is: they are cheap, and easy to find. Every supermarket has them in big bags. Very convenient. But if we also supplement those backyard feedings with some nice almonds or avocado once in awhile, we'll have even healthier backyard buddies to enjoy.

As for rodent block, I know people do doctor them up and get their wilds to eat them, but I haven't had much success in that department. I'm always thrilled when my rehab squirrels eat them, and they don't really have a choice :D.

[Nana3]

:goodpost:goodpost I totally agree with JIT and MBT...been feeding our backyard buddies roasted peanuts for years and they are just fine. We do offer other nuts and treats but they always come around at dinner time for their peanuts..

Keep feeding those babies and ENJOY all of them.....

[pitter6068]

Thanks a lot everybody!! Nana3 had let me know that feeding peanuts and pecans was ok and that I should consider introducing some variety(hazelnuts, almonds, etc.) And y'all are right about the "Healthy Diet". If I had squirrels that only ate what I was giving them, I would be much more involved. But the ones at my house are doing just fine already. They all seem really healthy and super active. More than anything, I enjoying watching them hide the peanuts and pecans in my mom's flowerbeds.lol I don't think I've seen one actually eat a peanut or pecan yet.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Hey Travis!

I see you are from King's Mt.!

That is so cool. Back in the Revolutionary War of 1776ish.... there was a big battle there.

My Great Great Great Great Grandfather fought in that battle.

To reward him he got a land grant of 2000 acres here in Kentucky.


I'm still here on it today!

[pitter6068]

Yeah there is a National (or State) Military Park here that commemorates that battle.

[TubeDriver]

I feed my wild squirrels almonds, walnuts and saltless, cooked peanuts in a shell. I have been doing this for years and my squirrels are all healthy. I try make sure they get almonds because that is a fairly healthy nut.


Enjoy your new buddies and don't worry too much about wild squirrel diet. :wave123

[pitter6068]

For the almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc., do you give them raw or roasted?

[TubeDriver]

For the almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc., do you give them raw or roasted?

I think my almonds and walnuts are raw. My peanuts are roasted, unsalted, and in the shell.

[pitter6068]

Yeah I gave a few roasted almonds to them this morning. They are still lying on the ground. I'll have to try raw ones next time. Has anybody ever tried hickory nuts??

[farrelli]

Hickory nuts are very common, and very popular.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

oh yeah nuts of any kind in the shell are a big hit.

try to avoid nuts out of the shell that have salt on them. :D


If you get a chance, we would love to see pictures of the squirrels in your yard.

I bet they are fun to see eating your nuts.

[pitter6068]

Actually, today was the first time I've seen one eat a nut instead of just burying it. I've been giving pecans and peanuts, but 99% seem to be ending up in my mom's flowerbed. She has already dug up several.

I'll try to get some pics of the bravest ones. There are two that are coming really close to me, but they are still really cautious and it scares them when I move. I bought a couple of apples and bananas. Maybe something sweeter will help them warm up to me a little more.