Skinny Squirrel .. What to do ??

[Scott]

My wild crew this year numbers 14. As in the past, I am just feeding seeds and a few nuts, to enjoy their presence. Unlike the past, I have one female, (the only one I have named this year so far) Simone, is very skinny. Her neck is thin, and one can almost see her ribs. I do believe she is about 5 - 6 months old. She is meek, and aggressively being beaten down by the others in the group.

She is very active and plays with some of the other new ones, when they are not on my deck. But when there are treats on the deck railing, all friendships fall to the wayside.

1) I think I could catch her with my trap set up, but then what?
2) I have tried to isolate her for additional food, but the other squirrels are too smart.

Just sad to watch her. Any suggestions ??

[Nancy in New York]

My wild crew this year numbers 14. As in the past, I am just feeding seeds and a few nuts, to enjoy their presence. Unlike the past, I have one female, (the only one I have named this year so far) Simone, is very skinny. Her neck is thin, and one can almost see her ribs. I do believe she is about 5 - 6 months old. She is meek, and aggressively being beaten down by the others in the group.

She is very active and plays with some of the other new ones, when they are not on my deck. But when there are treats on the deck railing, all friendships fall to the wayside.

1) I think I could catch her with my trap set up, but then what?
2) I have tried to isolate her for additional food, but the other squirrels are too smart.

Just sad to watch her. Any suggestions ??

Can you post a picture?
If you threw out some treats in the opposite direction of where Simone is, do you think
she would stick around while the others searched for their treats?

[Mel1959]

It sounds like this girl needs some extra nutrition. Order some Henrys blocks, wild bites go over well, and offer them to her in place of any nuts or seeds. The extra nutrition could make all the difference. Besides if she will just take 2 a day you know she's getting what she needs. I'd also put out some avocado or coconut pieces. The extra fat and calories would be helpful.

[Scott]

I agree with you Meil if I could isolate her. Which may be the answer I'm avoiding ..

but needs to happen . I put half a bag of homemade blocks, on the deck railing and nobody turned them away ..

Is there a way to isolate her... . remembering that they are wild squirrels ,. from the rest of the group ... without catching her

[Mel1959]

Yes, do as Nancy said, and as I do. I feed the aggressive ones first and once they are preoccupied I offer blocks to my wild females, juveniles or nursing moms. The point is that you should have the blocks ready for the skinny ones, or you can just feed blocks to all of them. Throw the nuts one direction and tempt the skinny one with blocks another direction.

[Scott]

Reverse psychology .... makes sense . ... although she is the most timid one ... any distraction and she runs ..

[Lighten-Up]

I have had a few thin, or sickly, or weak, or maimed squirrels, all wilds that come, and yes, they need extra nutrition, and they get chased by the stronger ones.

I have had a lot of success in using two hands to toss nuts. And to keep them separate, without trapping them. When the normal ones come, I toss nuts away from where the other is. Often the weak one will run a short distance. I will follow it slowly, and most of them have learned I am there to give food and help. So they find a safe place that is slightly out of the way, and they stay there. So I keep tossing nuts across to the others to keep them busy, and then I can usually toss to the weak one. This does take a lot of nuts.... I have often been able to keep this up for 15 minutes, enough for them to get a good amount of food. I know, don't I have better things to do? I care about these little guys, and I'll try just about anything to see them prosper.

To the weaker ones, I give coconut oil spread on nuts like pecans and walnuts, I also give avocado, and coconut meat, and then good nuts such as almonds and filberts etc. The coconut is high in fat and also has anti viral and anti fungal properties to help them. Most will eat the coconut oil nuts, not all are interested in the coconut meat or the avocado.

Maybe that would work? I'm sure you'll find a solution that works best for you,
Thanks for caring!

[Scott]

I got a picture of Simone, finally, but I'm not sure it will help. Simone, is just visually skinny and has a lot of competition.

[Mel1959]

By giving Simone more nutritious foods you can help her. Maybe provide a spot that she frequents with some extra nutritious treats. Keep the other aggressive ones preoccupied. If she's taking any type of food from you it needs to be extra nutritious. Make boo balls for all your wilds. Add extra protein, calcium, coconut oil, nut butter and Henrys vitamins to them so everyone is getting a nutritional boost. I don't know about your guys, but my wilds run off and hide or eat nuts in peace and it always opens up an opportunity to give my juvies, females and mommas some extra nutritious treats. Be creative.

[Scott]

Thanks Mel, a new idea. I will try that.