Please clarify the use of nest boxes in release cages

[Lighten-Up]

I am new to the release scenario. I have read a lot about it, but one thing has me baffled...

I was thinking that the squirrels nest box could/would go with them back out into their natural habitat, because I have been reading about released squirrels having nest boxes to live in. If so how does that happen? Because if the nest box is in their release cage and they are in there until they acclimate for 30 days, and then during the soft release, they forage outside of their RC until they build a nest out in the wild trees and then they do not come back at night, and that shows that the release is complete. Then their nest box is only used for their transition, what happens to it then?. Am I missing something? How is it that many people who have released squirrels have squirrels residing in nest boxes? Have people put extra nest boxes around outside at the time of release for them to choose? I would appreciate any clarification about this.

Thank you,
Lighten-Up

[DarkLies212]

I add a nest box whenever I release to give them in outside and an inside option :thumbsup

[Lighten-Up]

I add a nest box whenever I release to give them in outside and an inside option :thumbsup

Thank you. And that gives me another good question. If I am releasing two girls that I overwintered, should I put one or two nest boxes in their RC, and should I put one or two nest boxes for their outside options? Because that would mean 2 or 4. Also, there are several outdoor squirrels around. Do you think they would use the nest boxes intended for my release girls? Have you had that happen? Should I be generous, and gift nest boxes to all wilds that request one? :-) That could mean 6 or 8? :-0

A little info: Right now they are still sleeping in the same inside nest together. They have their territorial moments when a nut stash is involved, but once nighttime comes, they make up and chirp sweet nothings together as they fall asleep cuddled. I am brand new to this stage, so I welcome input. I am constructing their RC now, I got a little behind with some unexpected stuff that came along a month ago, but I'm back on track.

Lighten-Up

[Mel1959]

Lots of great questions, some of which I don't have the answer to. I'm in a similar situation in that I have two brothers that are to go to the release cage soon. However, I won't be doing the soft release, my vet is. They share a nest box now and I intended to send it with them for the release cage. It's not predator proof but could be made to be and used outside of the RC I suppose. What I do know is that nest boxes are prized possessions. I also think there is no guarantee that your girls will get to claim the nest box you provide as theirs, this is why the more nest boxes you put out the more opportunities they have to get one. They likely will share one for awhile. I just learned myself, from reading a post on here, that older males will share boxes with younger males. I guess I always assumed the only time males would be together is if they were young. I also think the more nest boxes you have in your yard, the more squirrels you will have in your yard!

[CritterMom]

Thank you. And that gives me another good question. If I am releasing two girls that I overwintered, should I put one or two nest boxes in their RC, and should I put one or two nest boxes for their outside options? Because that would mean 2 or 4. Also, there are several outdoor squirrels around. Do you think they would use the nest boxes intended for my release girls? Have you had that happen? Should I be generous, and gift nest boxes to all wilds that request one? :-) That could mean 6 or 8? :-0

A little info: Right now they are still sleeping in the same inside nest together. They have their territorial moments when a nut stash is involved, but once nighttime comes, they make up and chirp sweet nothings together as they fall asleep cuddled. I am brand new to this stage, so I welcome input. I am constructing their RC now, I got a little behind with some unexpected stuff that came along a month ago, but I'm back on track.

Lighten-Up

This is The Squirrel Board, silly! WE think you should cash out your 401K and sell your car and use the proceeds to give ALL of the squirrels houses.

As for your girls, I would assume they will likely continue to bunk together. That said, any boxes you can see fit to put out will be used - they move around from box to box, too,

[HRT4SQRLS]

This is The Squirrel Board, silly! WE think you should cash out your 401K and sell your car and use the proceeds to give ALL of the squirrels houses. :rotfl :grin2

[Lighten-Up]

This is The Squirrel Board, silly! WE think you should cash out your 401K and sell your car and use the proceeds to give ALL of the squirrels houses.

As for your girls, I would assume they will likely continue to bunk together. That said, any boxes you can see fit to put out will be used - they move around from box to box, too,

:-0 That is hilarious! And um, yes, I am on the verge of doing that; you must have seen into my psyche, or did my post give it all away! You are obviously aware of the power of squirrel magic on unsuspecting people who take babies in... :-)

Thank you for your humor and your thoughts.

Interesting that they move around from box to box. My girls have two nests in their indoor enclosure, they switch back and forth every other week or so, I find that interesting too.

[Lighten-Up]

Lots of great questions, some of which I don't have the answer to. I'm in a similar situation in that I have two brothers that are to go to the release cage soon. However, I won't be doing the soft release, my vet is. They share a nest box now and I intended to send it with them for the release cage. It's not predator proof but could be made to be and used outside of the RC I suppose. What I do know is that nest boxes are prized possessions. I also think there is no guarantee that your girls will get to claim the nest box you provide as theirs, this is why the more nest boxes you put out the more opportunities they have to get one. They likely will share one for awhile. I just learned myself, from reading a post on here, that older males will share boxes with younger males. I guess I always assumed the only time males would be together is if they were young. I also think the more nest boxes you have in your yard, the more squirrels you will have in your yard!

Thank you for your thoughts and knowledge, it helps me a lot. Interesting note about the males.

"Prized Possessions", Huh? I am seeing the writing on the wall that the next thing I learn to do is carpentry. I see a whole lot of orders coming in....I can see their faces already, hey, why does she get one? What about me? I'd like one over here please....

...One day I never thought much about squirrels, next thing I know I am learning about the miracle nipple, and then I'm seeing the need to become a woodworker... :) Does this ride ever end? From the likes of what I read from people on TSB, I'm guessing not...

So, more next boxes means more squirrels in a yard, which means more nest boxes which means more.... :-) Thanks for the heads up!

[Lighten-Up]

Another related question with nest boxes. I have two nest boxes that I had made for me, they are waiting for the release cage to be built.

Right now their very large indoor enclosure has two cozy cubes that they love to play in, but they do not nest in. They preferred to make two different nests of their own making with fabric and whatnot, in two opposite corners of the enclosure. They switch back and forth between the two nests randomly.

? Should I put the nest boxes in with them now? Or should I wait and just put the nest box or boxes, whatever I decide in their outdoor RC which they will be going to within the next few weeks?

[lennysmom]

What I do is put the box that I plan to use in the RC in their indoor cage with them for a week or two before release so that they can get used to it and feel more comfortable in it when I make the transfer outside. Some of them are terrified when they first go into the RC and having a nest box that they are already for familiar with seems to help with that.

[astra]

nothing to add to what's been posted here other than - make sure your outside nest boxes for your little ones as well as those you will be gifting to all requesting wilds are predator proof (just a reminder :))

[Lighten-Up]

nothing to add to what's been posted here other than - make sure your outside nest boxes for your little ones as well as those you will be gifting to all requesting wilds are predator proof (just a reminder :))

I believe the predator proof thing makes a lot of sense. I agree. I confess that I have had a little confusion of late in understanding what that really means, so since this is a thread on nest boxes, I'll just throw this out here for anyone's input.

I guess there are interior guards and exterior guards. I had my boxes made by someone who has been recommended on TSB. The style box I wanted - they said could not be made with an interior guard. I balked, but they said that was not a big deal, because they have found that most squirrels chew them out anyway. (really?) So my boxes have exterior guards only, wood placed over the hole in front of it to not permit a hand reaching straight it.

I feel fine about this, as I respect the personal hands-on knowledge of the maker who has obviously been around a lot more squirrels and nest boxes than I have - this is my first venture into this. However, I am always interested in hearing more from others. And because I had read so much about having interior guards on TSB, that it did take me getting used to an alternative thought.

[DaSquirrelMom]

My dh installs a wide wooden ledge/step on the inside of the nest box directly under the entrance hole. This prevents raccoons from being able to reach down to the bottom and grab a squirrel.