Release thoughts

[Nutlady]

Hi, I've got 3 ten week old male grey squirrels. I have rehabbed before, but not this time of year. They seem antsy already and are refusing formula except maybe twice a day. They are eating solids. Should I put their cage outside and get them ready or should I overwinter? I don't know when the central Florida squirrels start their community nests and I don't want to put them out too soon if they have no warm shelter and food supply. Since it just turned October, I thought maybe it's early enough. Any advise? Do I have time to wait 2 more weeks?

[Rhapsody]

Yes, you can place them in their outside release cage and give them 30 days to acclimate to their surroundings and wild up before you release them....... only in Florida do we release by the first week of November or over Winter.

[Nutlady]

Yes, you can place them in their outside release cage and give them 30 days to acclimate to their surroundings and wild up before you release them....... only in Florida do we release by the first week of November or over Winter.



Thank you so much. I had to overwinter before and it was tough on the squirrels. They go stir crazy, eight foot ceilings are not enough. :grin2

[kcassidy]

I only keep them in the release cage for 2 weeks and theen I open the port hole for them to come and go. I keep the release cage stocked with food for a few months (well shoot, basically all year :D ). They do great :)

My sign for opening the door is when I see them able to open a walnut and/or hazelnut

[Nutlady]

Yeah, I've had a hard time keeping them outside for a month. I'm lucky if it goes 2 weeks. Usually when I clean or put food in, they escape. I do keep the cage outside for a long while and the neighborhood squirrels love it!