Help and advice for a first time squirrel mom with soft release...

[brynellandeasy]

Hello, We have had our Easy squirrel for a year now. However the time has come for his release as I know it is unfair to try and keep him. I've never done this before and any and all help is greatly appreciated. I do worry about his well being in the wild world. PLEASE HELP THIS MOMMA HELP HER EASY. :-)

[Rhapsody]

Do you have an outside release cage for your squirrel to live in for at least 30 days?
This month is needed for the squirrel to live outside away from humans so they can
acclimate to the wild..... adjusting to the air, sounds and activities around them outside.

During this acclimation time you will need to speed less time with them...... doing the
feed and leave practice so the squirrel can "wild up" and no longer rely on humans. Try
feeding more wild plants during this time as well.

When release time comes, release early in the morning to allow the squirrels enough time
to explore their surroundings and return home that night if they choose, continue providing
food as a supplement feeding for a few weeks as the squirrel acclimates and finds its own
food source in the wild.

Release Info:
http://mothernaturesrescue.webs.com/release.htm

[brynellandeasy]

Will his cage he's in now work as a release cage? I'm honestly so lost on all this. I definitely want to do it right, so he has the best chance he can possibly have!

[lennysmom]

What kind of cage is he in now? You want your release cage to have a small opening near the top, just large enough for him to fit through so that after you release him he can come and go in safety, not having to worry about other predators such as raccoons or cats being able to get in, at least until he gets acclimated.

[Cesta]

There is a TON of information on the board about release cages... how to build them, the best size, how to transition your buddy to the outside, etc, etc.

My cage may not be ideal, I think it should be a little taller, but it has worked to safely release many squirrels.

Does Easy have a wooden nest box now? If not, you need to build or buy one. There is a bunch of information on TSB about how to build your own. The best one's have a baffle, or predator guard, so any predator reaching any will not be able to reach (oh geez sorry I just forgot his name! Easy?) He'll be able to hide under the baffle.

You'll want to put that wooden nest box (made out of UNTREATED lumber-- treated is poison) in the cage he has now. Mount it as high as you can. Put some of his favorite bedding/ blankies in there to encourage him to sleep in it.

While he's getting used to the nest box, inside, start working on a release cage. Do you have someone handy who could build one for you. They aren't too hard but that's coming from someone with a hubby who can build anything. If you don't feel up to building one, start looking on Craig's list, or put out a plea on TSB-- we may have a member in your area with a release cage who could do the release for you.

The cage needs to be built from untreated lumber and hardware cloth (NOT chicken wire). You need a sturdy, lockable access door for providing food and water. The cage should be as big as possible, so your buddy can learn to climb and run on branches. You'll need to find big,long, strong branches to mount in the cage so he can run and jump and do other squirrely maneuvers. You will mount the nest box he's already used to high in the release cage. As stated before, the cage also needs a very small (squirrel sized) door on the top, that also locks, so you can keep it latched until you are ready to release and then open it when it's time to let him go. I always put the small door on the opposite side of the cage from the nest box. The cage should be kept at least partially shaded, so he doesn't overheat. It should be open on 3 sides so he can feel rain and wind and see his surroundings.

Your neighborhood squirrels will teach him what to do when, say, a hawk or other predator is in the area. Of course, as stated above, you must continue to provide a healthy diet and plenty of fresh water. You will need to gradually limit the amount of time and interaction you have with him. It will be tough for both of you, because as an only he's got no one to snuggle with at night and he's likely to be pretty freaked out when you first move him outside. My advice is to take a chair out and spend some time sitting near him, reading a book or something, without really talking to him or looking at him. Let him be comforted by your presence. Gradually reduce the time you spend with him until he seems pretty comfortable on his own.

If he's never spent any significant amount of time outdoors, he may need up to a month in the release cage. I personally think that's a really long time. I leave mine in the cage for a couple weeks. Our circumstances may be different, though. My squirrels live in a very big cage on the patio for several months before they're moved all the way outside, so they're used to the outside daytime and nighttime noises.

I would use the "Advanced Search" window at the top of the page and look at other folks release cages, at their questions and the answers. I believe there's even a permanent thread on cages and nestboxes, and that would definitely include release cages. Finally, keep this thread going so the nice people here can offer any more help/ advice/ hand-holding you need! We're here to help you every step of the way.

You're making a good decision for your squirrel friend. It's so very hard to let them go, but they LOVE the freedom of the trees. There's a good chance he'll hang around, even after he's released, to visit with his mama.
:serene

[brynellandeasy]

I appreciate all the advice so much!! It's already hard just thinking about it. I am excited to watch him live his life free.

[Cesta]

Ok, so I'm not good at directing people to different threads here at TSB, but I think you should be able to follow these directions, lol. :grin2

On the Forum (Home) page, scroll down to this permanent thread:

Cages, nestboxes, suppliers, materials and ideas...When you click on that thread, there is a sticky (meaning permanent post) called something like "How to make a release cage" The very first sticky there is called "How to do a soft release"

There you will also find TONS of useful information. See if that's any help to you. And please let us know how it's going.

:glomp
-C.

[Rhapsody]

Will his cage he's in now work as a release cage?
Can you please post pics of the cage he has now?