Food introduction question!

[kaatybird]

Hi TSB! We're very excited to share that this morning our little girl opened her eyes for the first time!! (I aquired her as a very little pinky!) :grin3 Well... we're still waiting on half of the left eye to follow suit. ha! But I just wanted to get some input and advice on when in the next coulple weeks it is safe to start introducing new foods and or HHBs into her diet, and how any of you guys have successfully made the transition? I know that she is still to be on the FV for as long as she wants to take it. But she is becoming MUCH more interested in nibbling with those little teeth of hers (you know, fingers, earlobes.. my sweaters) So I just wanted to touch base on what thoughts you could give me as a first time non-release mama! :Love_Icon
:thankyou

[farrelli]

Most people introduce blocks at about 5-6 weeks, which is about now. At first they will just gnaw, but eventually will start eating them. Once they're eating them, you can introduce veggies sand such.

[Charley Chuckles]

Most people introduce blocks at about 5-6 weeks, which is about now. At first they will just gnaw, but eventually will start eating them. Once they're eating them, you can introduce veggies sand such.

No sand farrelli :poke till later to bury their nuts :grin3 OK sorry just had to :rofl4 and in my signature you will see "I AM NOT POOF READING THIS" :tilt

[farrelli]

Clearly I don't proof read either!

[Rhapsody]

If her eyes are just opening I would invest in some fruit tree branches or deer antlers for her to nibble on.... they are both good for her
and the deer antlers will provide her with some much needed calcium. I generally do not give my babies any HHB until they are around
8 weeks old as the blocks are expensive and until that that age the squirrels are just going to waste them. Hold off on giving the HHB
for a few more weeks until your baby is really interested in eating them for food and not just for play.


You can purchase Deer Antlers here:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/

And you can obtain organic fruit tree branches off Ebay..... just make sure they are on the safe list here:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-(Revised-2-13)

[kaatybird]

If her eyes are just opening I would invest in some fruit tree branches or deer antlers for her to nibble on.... they are both good for her
and the deer antlers will provide her with some much needed calcium. I generally do not give my babies any HHB until they are around
8 weeks old as the blocks are expensive and until that that age the squirrels are just going to waste them. Hold off on giving the HHB
for a few more weeks until your baby is really interested in eating them for food and not just for play.


You can purchase Deer Antlers here:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/

And you can obtain organic fruit tree branches off Ebay..... just make sure they are on the safe list here:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-(Revised-2-13)

Thanks so much Rhapsody! I will sanitize some deer antlers today and give them to her to gnaw on.. I can tell she really wants to be chewing on something, but I do want her to continue to get the nutrients from the FV!! I appreciate the help! :grin2:Love_Icon

[Charley Chuckles]

Clearly I don't proof read either!

:grin3

[Starfish]

If her eyes are just opening I would invest in some fruit tree branches or deer antlers for her to nibble on.... they are both good for her
and the deer antlers will provide her with some much needed calcium. I generally do not give my babies any HHB until they are around
8 weeks old as the blocks are expensive and until that that age the squirrels are just going to waste them. Hold off on giving the HHB
for a few more weeks until your baby is really interested in eating them for food and not just for play.


You can purchase Deer Antlers here:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/

And you can obtain organic fruit tree branches off Ebay..... just make sure they are on the safe list here:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?39275-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels-(Revised-2-13)


and even then, cut the blocks into 3 at first. In case they waste 'em.... then, you only waste a third....

[CrazySquirrelLady]

i stick HBs in there from the jump, cuz I want them to LOVE them as their "first" real food. It works great.

sure some get crumbled and not eaten, but that is all in the plan. Let them babies waste block!!!

[MollyBear361]

Jill is now 7 weeks and within the last weeks EATS all her HHB. Sometimes two a day. She is a piggy. She also munches on HT blocks and monkey biscuits. I noticed she shreds the HT blocks and the monkey biscuits (and tree branches) but is now eating ALL the HHB. Don't see any of those crumbs around!

[Rhapsody]

i stick HBs in there from the jump, cuz I want them to LOVE them as their "first" real food.!HHB are always my squirrels first foods..... they dont get any thing but Fox Valley the first 8 weeks, then added HHB for the next two weeks...... after that comes the vegetables & wild plants. :thumbsup

[Charley Chuckles]

All mine love HHB :thumbsup

[MJS]

AS OTHERS HAVE SAID...JUST BE SURE THAT HHB'S ARE THEIR FIRST SOLID FOOD. YOU JUST WANT TO START THEM ON BLOCKS SO THAT THEY LEARN TO EAT THEM BEFORE BEING SEDUCED BY AVOCADO OR SOME OTHER IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION. THE BLOCKS WILL PROVIDE ALL (OR AT LEAST MOST) OF THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS SO IT IS CRITICAL TO THEIR CONTINUED GOOD HEALTH THAT THEY EAT 2 OR 3 PER DAY (DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE SQ). SIDENOTE: NEVER LET THE SQUIRREL DICTATE TO YOU WHAT HE/SHE IS GOING TO EAT. IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR THEM (BROCCOLI) AND THEY REFUSE OR IGNORE IT, JUST KEEP PUTTING IT IN THERE AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY COME AROUND. I'M SURE THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS, BUT THAT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE. TOUGH LOVE!!! :thumbsup :Love_Icon

[kaatybird]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, as always! Cado had her first HBB today, I froze a large portion and cut the rest into thirds.. She is definitely all about them! Lots of playing and shredding going on while she has them in her cage, but when she's eating from my hand, or (I'm sure this is a squirrel no,no somewhere... But she just loves to be around my face and neck!) when I'm holding it in my teeth! She's a silly little thing.. But really seems to be thriving! I'm so proud of her! :Love_Icon 215491

[Starfish]

So cute.

So, to be clear, the thirds you haven't frozen should still be refrigerated.

[kaatybird]

So cute.

So, to be clear, the thirds you haven't frozen should still be refrigerated.

Yes! All of the smaller blocks are refrigerated :)

[Starfish]

That pic is so cute. I'm thinking she's enjoying the cuddling.


Reminded me of a study on rhesus monkeys wee armed about in school.
http://individual.utoronto.ca/vicedo/vicedoca/Publications_files/Vicedo_HofP.pdf

Although you don't want to overbond (is that a word?) if you intend to release, she probably needs that connection at the moment. I was lucky enough to have three so i could step back more and let them bond with each other more. Your little one is so very cute.

[Stephanie Leonard]

ok so i am a new squammy to a grey im guessing is about 6 to 8 weeks old..im learning all kinds of thing and im excited... my fisrt baby died last Sunday at 4 week bc of a warble and that same day i was called by the vet to love and care for this sweet girl Stella.. My local vets do not have much knowledge on rodents so i will be asking a lot of questions starting with the same one asked here.. How to introduce solids.. ive tried things such as cheerios and sweet potatoes... she only wants her formula.. she also wants to sleep all the time. i have to wake her to potty and eat.. otherwise she would sleep herself to death lol ...
:grin3

[kaatybird]

ok so i am a new squammy to a grey im guessing is about 6 to 8 weeks old..im learning all kinds of thing and im excited... my fisrt baby died last Sunday at 4 week bc of a warble and that same day i was called by the vet to love and care for this sweet girl Stella.. My local vets do not have much knowledge on rodents so i will be asking a lot of questions starting with the same one asked here.. How to introduce solids.. ive tried things such as cheerios and sweet potatoes... she only wants her formula.. she also wants to sleep all the time. i have to wake her to potty and eat.. otherwise she would sleep herself to death lol ...
:grin3

Welcome to TSB! This was my first little as well, and it is a tom of information to take in and remember! :) what kind of formula do you have her on? And the Henry's healthy blocks (growth formula for her age) should really be the first solid foods introduced, to get her on the road to a healthy diet! If you have any questions or anything I just went through all of the same things you are with my Cado.. Feel free to PM me, or if you're unable to you can always text! 248-410-3160. Happy feeding!! :Love_Icon

[kaatybird]

Also, she should be kept on formula (along with solids) as long as she is still actively wanting it! :)

[kaatybird]

Just wanted to check in with a few things from you guys! Cado is doing great, still loving her every 4-5 hour feedings of the 32/40 FV. Along with gnawing at a block a little throughout the day when she is in her cage. Just curious as to when I should be putting a water bottle up in her cage and encouraging her to use it? (She is about 6 weeks right now) and when I should be switching her to a different strength formula?
:thankyou I wanted to add a couple pictures but unfortunately my internet is acting up. :( if anyone is bored between feedings tonight, I have most of her little life chronicled here ---> https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201200378024392.1073741826.1018951076&type=1&ref=m_notif&notif_t=like&__user=1018951076

[MJS]

HEY KATE... HOW'S IT GOING??? THE ANSWER TO YOUR TWO QUESTIONS ARE...NOW AND NOW. IF YOU ARE STAYING WITH THE FOX VALLEY YOU CAN SWITCH TO THE FV 20/50...IT'S FOR SQS OLDER THAN 4 WEEKS. I ADDED A LITTLE ULTRA BOOST TO MINE FROM THE START, BUT MY GIRLS WERE 6 WKS WHEN I GOT THEM. THEY'RE STILL DRINKING FV 20/50 EVERY DAY FROM A BOWL...VERY FUNNY TO SEE...BUT GREAT NUTRITION. I HOPE THEY NEVER STOP.
THE WATER BOTTLE IS GOOD NOW TOO...GET A GLASS ONE WITH THE LITTLE YELLOW DUCK INSIDE...METAL DRINKING TUBE. IT WILL TAKE HER A LITTLE TIME TO FIGURE IT OUT BUT SHE WILL GET IT. GET SOME ECHINACEA CAPS FROM GNC...EMPTY ONE CAP PER GALLON OF WATER, KEEP IN FRIDGE AND USE THAT MIXTURE IN HER WATER BOTTLE...GOOD FOR HER IMMUNE SYSTEM. YOU CAN TRY THIS TOO http://www.caoh.org/liqimbarecbe.html I ALTERNATE BETWEEN THE TWO. CHECK THE TUBE DAILY TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GET STUCK.
YOU CAN START TO INTRODUCE HHB'S AT AROUND 8 WKS AS HER FIRST SOLID FOOD, BUT CUT IN HALF OR QUARTERS FOR A WEEK OR SO UNTIL SHE IS ACTUALLY EATING IT. SOMETIMES THEY JUST SHRED IT AT FIRST...FUNNY BUT EXPENSIVE.

[MJS]

HAHAHAHA!!! I JUST LOOKED BACK OVER THE THREAD AND SAW THE HHB PIC!!! SO YOU OBVIOUSLY KNOW THE SUPER SECRET TECHNIQUE...'HOW TO GET A SQUIRREL TO EAT BLOCK'...PRICELESS!!! SHE LOOKS GREAT...YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOURSELF. :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup