bridgetole
07-29-2014, 01:33 PM
First the scoop...I released 4 squirrels in my yard almost 6 weeks ago. They are about 6 months old now. I live in town, but have many large old trees of many varieties. They are able to cover my whole yard, and probably go for miles, tree to tree. I'm guessing they like it here as they havn't seemed to have left the yard. Their favorite tree is right next to the house. We put a nest box in the tree along with nestboxes in 3 other trees. They have also built their own nests. All 4 come running down the tree like clock work at 5:30am waiting for their breakfast. The evenings are the same, all show up about 4:30 sharp. I do enjoy it but worry they are too dependant on me. I'm for the most part, doing everything I did before I released them. HHB's and a plate of veggies in the morning. Fruits, nuts and HHB's in the evening. They also have a bowl of Kaytee blocks with sesame seeds and oatmeal always available. They are barely touching the vegetables lately. Still love their HHB's! My first question is what do most people do as far as feeding their releases? It gets expensive and labor intensive. My fridge is so full of fruits and vegetables for the squirrels, us people are starving:) JK. Also I wonder if now that they are gathering in the wild, they don't really need the vegetables I have been giving. But maybe more fruits that are not so available in the wild. As long as they are around, I will have the HHB's for them, I have no questions about that.
Also, they are still so friendly with us. We can call them and they come. If we are in the yard, they will come. They want to climb on us alot. I'm Ok with all this but worry what could happen when they get older. Most mornings all 4 want to be running on me at the same time. It can feel a little freaky, but I like it, as long as everyone stays nice. I don't feed them while they are on me, I also try not to feed from my hand, but I can't say this for my husband. It is obvious when they are with us they are usually in search of treats, not just looking for company. One of them will get nippy once in awhile. Never broke skin. She gets a loud firm "NO" and we leave her alone. It seems to be working. So my question here is...What are other people's experiences with released squirrels as they get older? Is there anything wrong with this type of contact with them, or should we be discouraging this contact for their sake or ours?
Also, they are still so friendly with us. We can call them and they come. If we are in the yard, they will come. They want to climb on us alot. I'm Ok with all this but worry what could happen when they get older. Most mornings all 4 want to be running on me at the same time. It can feel a little freaky, but I like it, as long as everyone stays nice. I don't feed them while they are on me, I also try not to feed from my hand, but I can't say this for my husband. It is obvious when they are with us they are usually in search of treats, not just looking for company. One of them will get nippy once in awhile. Never broke skin. She gets a loud firm "NO" and we leave her alone. It seems to be working. So my question here is...What are other people's experiences with released squirrels as they get older? Is there anything wrong with this type of contact with them, or should we be discouraging this contact for their sake or ours?