rangergirl
08-01-2017, 10:30 AM
After an escape episode that ended in a traumatic bird attack for Pip and a UTI for Squeak, I finally believed my babies were ready for squirrel life. Transitioned them to the outdoor cage, daytime at first and then overnights. Two days ago, I opened the cage door... off they went to explore. They stayed close to the house - in my neighbour's backyard and giant oak tree all day, but did not come back to their nest box/cage that night
The next morning, Squeak came back and ate some of the food that I was putting in their cage (which I left open). I didn't see Pip all day. Neither came back that night - chipmunks enjoyed the food tho.
I saw both of them yesterday morning when they came for some snacks. Last night, torrential rainfall hit the area. A friend had just pulled into my driveway and saw Pip and Squeak being attacked by some very angry Robins who had babies in my carport. One of the squirrels had run under her car to get away from the birds. The other squirrel had two birds on top of him at the same time. I managed to get both of my babies into the house and up to their 'room'. They were stressed out!! After awhile they settled down and went right to sleep, curled up together! Exhausted.
This is the second bird attack Pip and Squeak have endured. I'm a little concerned about the situation. The baby robins are probably another week from leaving the nest.
What to do about Pip and Squeak is my question. Should keep them in the house, or the release cage until the baby birds are gone? Should I continue to keep the RC open and just move it to another area, but if so, do I transition the squirrels for a few days to the new spot (I already moved it once)? Should I hang their nest box in the tree and just let them go? Should I stop putting out food for them so they don't come around the bird area? Should I just let them back outside and have nature take its course??
Everyone is telling me to do different things (and not one has ever rehabbed any kind of animal before)... I just want to make sure Pip and Squeak are safe and healthy
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
The next morning, Squeak came back and ate some of the food that I was putting in their cage (which I left open). I didn't see Pip all day. Neither came back that night - chipmunks enjoyed the food tho.
I saw both of them yesterday morning when they came for some snacks. Last night, torrential rainfall hit the area. A friend had just pulled into my driveway and saw Pip and Squeak being attacked by some very angry Robins who had babies in my carport. One of the squirrels had run under her car to get away from the birds. The other squirrel had two birds on top of him at the same time. I managed to get both of my babies into the house and up to their 'room'. They were stressed out!! After awhile they settled down and went right to sleep, curled up together! Exhausted.
This is the second bird attack Pip and Squeak have endured. I'm a little concerned about the situation. The baby robins are probably another week from leaving the nest.
What to do about Pip and Squeak is my question. Should keep them in the house, or the release cage until the baby birds are gone? Should I continue to keep the RC open and just move it to another area, but if so, do I transition the squirrels for a few days to the new spot (I already moved it once)? Should I hang their nest box in the tree and just let them go? Should I stop putting out food for them so they don't come around the bird area? Should I just let them back outside and have nature take its course??
Everyone is telling me to do different things (and not one has ever rehabbed any kind of animal before)... I just want to make sure Pip and Squeak are safe and healthy
Any suggestions would be appreciated!