Outdoor living???

[Blueyezatl]

So I'm in need of advice once again. I have two grey squirrels. Bonnie and Clyde. Have had them for about 3-4 weeks now. They're still eating for 3x a day and are learning to eat their block. However, I won't be able to house them indoors much longer...a few days at the most. I'm in Georgia so winters aren't too harsh... And it's still pretty warm here during the day. Just wondering if there's any danger to putting them in an outside cage now. I can't keep them inside... There's no extra room for them. I do plan on bringing them in daily and spending time with them. Also wanted to know what the best material would be for housing. I've read something like panty hose that don't hold dampness or moisture. Will they stay warm this winter?

[cava]

Hi there. First of all, how old are they. You said you've had them for 3-4 weeks, but how old were they when you got them?

Are they eating ALL of the block yet?

I think pantyhose would not only get caught in their nails, but could pose a strangulation risk.

[Blueyezatl]

I'm sorry... They are 10 weeks. And yes, eating the whole block. Also, they are eating formula 3x daily... Around 12-14ml a piece. What do you think would be a good insulator for their nest?

[Spanky]

I would not place a 10 week old squirrel in an outdoor release cage. They are not ready.

Where abouts in GA are you, maybe we can find someone to house them for a critical few more weeks.

Can you tell us about the outdoor cage you have for them?

[Blueyezatl]

The cage is 4 ft tall and about 3 ft wide in front and 1 1/2 on sides. It has a nesting box that's about 18in squared and two split levels. All natural pine. I'm in North Georgia... Blairsville, ga but honestly, am not ready myself to turn them over to anyone... I'm already attached and trying my best to make proper accommodations for them. I'm curious as to what makes them not ready? I'm not planning on releasing these guys until the spring... Not sure that they'd be ready to fend for themselves right now. Just wanted to know if they could be kept outside?

[Blueyezatl]

Am I making a mistake in thinking I could house them outside? I do have a pet carrier that I've kept them in.. But they hate it in there... Would it be better to keep them in that for a few more weeks? Also, I could be off on their she by a few weeks. Their tales are bushy and not thin

[Spanky]

Overwintering outdoors is not a problem if you have a large enough cage.

Maybe you can post a picture of your squirrel? Bushy tails can be eight weeks... did their eyes open while under your care or were they always opened?

Maybe post a picture of the cage as well?

Personally, I would never consider over-wintering in the size cage you described.

Are you releasing at your home where you will be able to provide food and fresh water through the winter?

[cava]

Would you be able to buy them a larger indoor cage. A pet carrier (depending on what size it is) is probably pretty cramped. I was able to find large bird cages and ferret nation cages on my local Craigslist and Offerup.com. Worth looking. Also, you could build one with untreated lumber and 1/2 hardware cloth. It would be worth it, let me tell you and the one outside sounds too small. May be you could build off of it to make it larger?

[Blueyezatl]

What size cage would you recommend over winterizing in?

[Blueyezatl]

And I was wrong in my measurements... It is 5 ft tall, 3 ft wide in from and two on sides.

[Spanky]

Outdoors? The larger the better but 2'wide x 4' long x 6' tall would be what I would consider the absolute smallest and even then they'll be cramped and be a little stir crazy. And they have to be a minimum of 14 weeks to even consider going out; anything else is not putting the squirrels best interests first.

[Spanky]

And I was wrong in my measurements... It is 5 ft tall, 3 ft wide in from and two on sides.

That is the inside dimensions of the cage? So it is 3' X 3' X 5' on the inside (not a on a stand)?

[Blueyezatl]

Ok. Maybe I can accommodate them inside for a few more weeks.... Right now, they have run of the extra bedroom with a large pet carrier as a cage to bed down in. What about bedding once they're outside in cage? Was wondering what wouldn't hold moisture or dampness. Thank you so much for helping me understand all this...

[Blueyezatl]

No, that's the inside dimensions... Running room for squirrel. That's not counting the measurements included in the framing... No, not on stand

[Javarat]

You have two options.

1. A fixed cage outside, as large as you want to build it, with an airlock system.
If it doesn't have an airlock I can guarantee that one or both WILL bolt and escape during a feeding.
The closer it gets to winter... the more they will feel like they HAVE to get out.
And odds are they will also frequently refuse to allow you to catch them to be brought inside, and stay outside at night.

Safety.. the cage mesh has to be at least 1/2 inch 'hardware cloth' metal mesh, or they will chew their way out.
Window screen won't even slow them down.
If they can get to the wood.. they will chew a way out.
If they can get to the dirt they will dig their way out, or predators will dig their way in.
Chicken wire can be sunk into the dirt around the edge to prevent tunnel escapes.


or, 2. A cage you can roll in and out. And access for feeding and cleaning while in a safe room.
Your limitations there are going to be 6' high (including the wheels) and 3' wide (to fit through a door).
It can be as long as you want to make it.. 3', 4', or even 6'.

Personally, I think you are being too nervous about releasing them in October or November.
As you said, Georgia winters are mild (I live near Dahlonega). I know Blairsville gets a few days with snow, but they are already wearing winter coats.
Better would be to put a cage outside with a feeder, then let them roam free after a week or two outside, then remove the cage after a week and stock the feeder through the winter.
Bonnie will probably be around for years..
But around January Clyde is going to pick a random compass direction and go 2 to 10 miles away... that's his instinct to avoid interbreeding.
If he is caged... he will do everything he can do to bust out. "You can't keep ME in the slammer!"

The best you can do right now is get them into a nesting box.. and give them lots of paper towels, leaves, and 'safe' pillow stuffing, and let them practice building a nest.
Once you see they have good nest insulating skills.. they are good to go.

Append-um: I think naming them 'Bonnie & Clyde' is going to feel very ironic when they escape during the winter :)

[Spanky]

I am in very NE GA (Lake Hartwell) and release through the end of November on my property where I am able to provide plenty of food and fresh, clean water through the winter. Even a few nest boxes.

I would not release at a remote site later than October.

As far as the question about providing nesting material, I used to do that but got tired of cleaning it all up when they through it out of the box. They seem to prefer leaves, pine needles and other natural materials.

You'll want a roof on the cage so raccoons are not able to climb on top and defecate into the squirrels cage. Raccoons can carry a round worm that if infects a squirrel will kill it. That will also help keep a lot of the water out.

[Blueyezatl]

This is Bonnie

[Blueyezatl]

And this is both. As usual Clyde is doing his own thing in back and Bonnie is front and center...:serene

[Spanky]

Your babies do not look like they are 10 weeks old... do you know the date they opened their eyes?

[stepnstone]

Your babies do not look like they are 10 weeks old... do you know the date they opened their eyes?
I agree.
These babies need to be overwintered, inside!

[Blueyezatl]

I really don't have a clue as to when they opened their eyes. Actually, I saved them from someone who had took them off a tree and had them in a laundry basket for two days with no food and water. I know that if I didn't act quickly they would've died. They had their eyes open when I got them. I spent the first two days hydrating them and then started them on formula. I have had them for about 3 weeks now and am trying the best that I can to keep them happy. They are loved very much and already spoiled on being petted and given attention. Don't know if it was the pics that didn't do them Justice but according to the chart that you guys have, I guessed them to be 9-10 weeks. I'm not sure. I'm just trying the best I can...

[Blueyezatl]

How old would you guess them to be?