Out of Blocks!!!!

[AnnieRN]

OK, I went and bought a bag of oxbow blocks today because I was out of the henry blocks. My babies will not eat them and I cannot get anymore Henrys because they are on vacation. Ideas to get them to eat the oxbow would be appreciated.

[Duckman]

There is a recipe somewhere on the board, where you can make your own. I found it was more expensive to make them though, than it is to buy them. Maybe someone can point you in the direction of that recipe.

EDIT (reason - Forgot to add) You can also make Boo Balls from the Oxford blocks. My kids get them as treats and love them!!

[AnnieRN]

There is a recipe somewhere on the board, where you can make your own. I found it was more expensive to make them though, than it is to buy them. Maybe someone can point you in the direction of that recipe.

EDIT (reason - Forgot to add) You can also make Boo Balls from the Oxford blocks. My kids get them as treats and love them!!

I have the recipe but I cannot get the vitamins to make them because you get them from Henrys as well.

[SammysMom]

Here is the recipe and instructions (it is equal amounts of powdered rodent block, FV dry formula, crushed pecans):

50 grams rodent block (crushed to a fine powder) I use two (25 grams each) , Kaytee Forti-diet and Harlan Teklad 2014 or 2018.

50 grams powdered Fox Valley squirrel formula

50 grams crushed pecans

Mix ingredients together.

Mix organic baby food fruit (100 grams) and 20 grams Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil together and warm for 20 seconds in the microwave. Add this wet mixture to your dry ingredients until well blended. It will seem very wet. (I use Earth's Best Organic Apples & Plums).

Put in the refrigerator for 5 hours (Overnight is even better). This lets it set up. It softens/moistens the rodent block and dissolves the FV.

Once you are ready to serve it take out about a 1/2 tsp (5 grams) of the mixture and roll is in your hands but not so much that it will melt the coconut oil. Give it to your squirrel. This recipe feeds two squirrels for about a week.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Here is the recipe and instructions (it is equal amounts of powdered rodent block, FV dry formula, crushed pecans):

50 grams rodent block (crushed to a fine powder) I use two (25 grams each) , Kaytee Forti-diet and Harlan Teklad 2014 or 2018.

50 grams powdered Fox Valley squirrel formula

50 grams crushed pecans

Mix ingredients together.

Mix organic baby food fruit (100 grams) and 20 grams Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil together and warm for 20 seconds in the microwave. Add this wet mixture to your dry ingredients until well blended. It will seem very wet. (I use Earth's Best Organic Apples & Plums).

Put in the refrigerator for 5 hours (Overnight is even better). This lets it set up. It softens/moistens the rodent block and dissolves the FV.

Once you are ready to serve it take out about a 1/2 tsp (5 grams) of the mixture and roll is in your hands but not so much that it will melt the coconut oil. Give it to your squirrel. This recipe feeds two squirrels for about a week. If you don't have FV ,could you use that puppy formula?

[SammysMom]

Esbilac puppy, powdered with probiotics if you don't have FV is fine.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Esbilac puppy, powdered with probiotics if you don't have FV is fine. Thank you.:thumbsup

[SammysMom]

Remember, these do NOT replace blocks. They are simply a VERY short-term solution for this particular situation.

[AnnieRN]

My babies will not eat the boo balls. Any other ideas. I don't want them to not eat block for awhile. They still are getting formula and they are eating salad. Will they be OK until I can get more block or is there another idea?

[AnnieRN]

So the last picture is the look I get from my sweet Ginger since I don't have her block. She is not happy with mommy.

The first picture is Lucy and she had carrot for the first time today. She loved it. She looks like she is surfing on that stick.

The second is Bernie. He loves the sugar snap peas. They get one a day. He is my sweet sweet baby.

[Duckman]

My babies will not eat the boo balls. Any other ideas. I don't want them to not eat block for awhile. They still are getting formula and they are eating salad. Will they be OK until I can get more block or is there another idea?

I use coconut oil to entice my babies to eat them. Try adding that to the recipe or if it is already made, dip it in the oil and give to them. I can't believe they will turn those down.

[MaryNGordon]

They are so cute. I wish mine could sit up to eat like that, that is so cute.

This is what I was given.. I am wondering if you could dissolve half a human vitamin into the mix for something? in reality I wish I had the vitamins as well, but they will be avail for order again before we know it. I have 4-5 days worth of blocks left, with their return, plus shipping time, I dont expect to get a hold of blocks for two weeks, and with all the yummy treats mine gets, I dont see him wasting away any time soon :grin3 Vitamins or not, I think he will do just fine the recipe that was shared with me.

Squirrel Food Recipe:

There are no blocks on the market that are comparable in texture and I believe taste to HHBs. In a pinch, you might try making your own to see if they work.
Homemade Squirrel Block Recipe
(Revised 11/01/11)
Makes approximately a 4-week supply for a 1-pound squirrel.

Preheat oven to 205 degrees Fahrenheit


Dry ingredients:
80 g Pure Whey Protein Isolate for adult formula (for growth formula, use 160 g).
130 g finely ground nuts (any kind; peanuts, pecans, or almonds work well)
1/3 cup wheat flour (optional)
1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1 package (33 g) Henry's Healthy Vita-Mins*

Wet ingredients:
1 whole egg
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)
1/2 cup water, or a little more, as needed (this is for growth formula only; do not add water to the adult formula unless the dough is too dry when mixed)


Instructions:
Place dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Add all the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a fork until dough sticks together. It will be fairly dry, like pie crust dough. Wearing gloves or with your bare hands (oiled), press the dough down and then start to knead it. Once the dough forms a ball, place it onto a lightly greased surface and knead a few more times until smooth and uniform in color. Roll dough out into a roll or flatten into a square, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. While still warm, cut into 60 pieces with a sharp knife

Allow the blocks to cool for at least 2 hours. Then place in zip-lock bags and store them in the fridge or freezer. They will keep in the fridge for several weeks. They will keep in the freezer for several months (unopened and with as much air as possible removed from the bag before sealing). Some squirrels enjoy eating them cold or frozen, but you can also put a cold block into the microwave for about 5-10 seconds to warm it up.

Feed 1-3 per day. Different squirrels will have different energy requirements.

CM921

[Duckman]

Please be careful with using human vitamins. Vitamin D in human proportions is Rat Poison and the same amount will kill a squirrel. While they need a certain amount of Vitamin D (and other Vitamins) given too much can be toxic.

[AnnieRN]

Please be careful with using human vitamins. Vitamin D in human proportions is Rat Poison and the same amount will kill a squirrel. While they need a certain amount of Vitamin D (and other Vitamins) given too much can be toxic.


I got them to eat the oxbow. Thankfully. I was scared to use human vitamins. I haven't been able to respond to everyone because we, including the squirrel babies, have been at the lake and our internet connection is hit or miss there.