Can I feed my wild greys mushrooms or any other vegetables??

[puddinpie]

I was just wondering if I could feed my wild back yard greys mushrooms or any other kinds of vegetables or foods? Right now we feed a variety of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and pecans and an occasional peanut. It is getting super expensive and we are looking for other things to feed them. We get so many squirrels coming to our back yard, like probably 12 to 14! We go through nuts like crazy! They have made our back porch and back yard their hang out. Our wood porch railings look pretty sad Lol, they use the post to sharpen their teeth:tap! I know they cant help it, it is only natural for them. I love the little guys and this winter especially we have been feeding a lot more due to the nasty horrid cold weather. We figured it would help them get through the winter better. We just need to find a more tolerable budget. Right now we spend like probably $100 a week in nuts! I need other options... Any ideas :) ?

[stepnstone]

I was just wondering if I could feed my wild back yard greys mushrooms or any other kinds of vegetables or foods? Right now we feed a variety of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and pecans and an occasional peanut. It is getting super expensive and we are looking for other things to feed them. We get so many squirrels coming to our back yard, like probably 12 to 14! We go through nuts like crazy! They have made our back porch and back yard their hang out. Our wood porch railings look pretty sad Lol, they use the post to sharpen their teeth:tap! I know they cant help it, it is only natural for them. I love the little guys and this winter especially we have been feeding a lot more due to the nasty horrid cold weather. We figured it would help them get through the winter better. We just need to find a more tolerable budget. Right now we spend like probably $100 a week in nuts! I need other options... Any ideas :) ?

This is our link to the healthy diet, can be applied to the wilds as well...
Mushrooms are ok. :thumbsup

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[puddinpie]

Thanks, I checked out the link! Some good ideas. As far as the mushrooms, would regular mushrooms like the white button ones we eat in salads be safe? I know it said wild mushrooms are toxic, but those are the poisonous ones that grow outside. I am going to try my wilds on some of these things. I know I tried them on Kale and carrots before and got a nasty look and they turned up their noses at it Lol!







This is our link to the healthy diet, can be applied to the wilds as well...
Mushrooms are ok. :thumbsup

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[farrelli]

Here's CritterMom's recipe for cheap feed:


Mazuri Rodent Breeder, I believe their internal number is "6F" or something like that...

I dump a couple cups of the blocks in a microwave proof bowl, and drizzle a small amount of canola oil on them. The amount depends on how many you are making - but you only want *just* enough oil to coat them when you stir it up, not so much that they are sitting in oil. I then put a couple spoonsful of peanut butter in the bowl and nuke it for a minute or so to soften the peanut butter. Stir, stir, stir until everything is evenly coated - it isn't alot, just enough to coat everything. Back in the microwave and now I hit them at high for about 5 minutes - you want them screaming, boiling, bubbling hot! Stir again and set aside to cool. As they cool, they "suck up" all of the peanut butter.

A 50 pound bag of these lasts me about 2 weeks. Believe me, the squirrels like them!

[Fireweed]

I make a really cheap feed for wilds in general: Blocks (kaytee forti (blue bag) or Oxbow Regal Rat or Harlan Teklad) ground up into a powder with a little water to moisten and form into balls. Sometimes I moisten them with almond butter or tahini mixed in the water. Sometimes I add pureed veggies to the mix. Often, they are just straight, moistened balls. The wilds eat em up. :thumbsup

[puddinpie]

Thanks so much for the ideas! Could I buy the Kaytee Forti or the Harlan teklad at a pet food store or do I have to order online?

[farrelli]

Kaytee you can get both places. I don't know if you can get Harlan in stores. I think it's like $25 for 50 pound bag.

[MJS]

IN MY EXPERIENCE, WILDS WILL NOT USUALLY EAT THE VEGGIES THAT CAPTIVE SQUIRRELS EAT. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PREFERENCES THAT WE ARE RARELY ABLE TO WITNESS THEM EATING. MY WILD GREYS WILL, HOWEVER, EAT AVOCADO PIECES (NO SKIN ATTACHED), BLUEBERRIES, APPLE CHUNKS, AND GRAPES (CUT IN HALF). THEY ALSO LOVE WILD BITES FROM HENRYS http://www.henryspets.com/ BUT IF YOU ORDER THESE CUT THEM IN HALVES OR QUARTERS AND PUT THEM IN A BIRD PROOF FEEDER.