Won't eat nothing

[Blueyezatl]

My babies won't eat nothing but formula... No blocks and am keeping veggies away until they eat their block...help

[Diggie's Friend]

How old are they Blueyezati?

Our brood they overlapped from formula to solid foods, as I have seen evidence of wilds doing.

As for them fully weaned they will do that on their own timetable.

Try boiled, cooled to room temperature organic green peas; our brood loved this as their first solid food.

Also baked Acorn and Butternut squash after that, and organic applesauce with naturally occuring sugar only, no artificial, or other sugars added.

[Blueyezatl]

Really worried bc they're supposed to have block first...???

[Diggie's Friend]

I see you are a worried new Squommie. :) Again, how old are they?

With them still eating the formula, accepting block isn't as yet an issue, as block takes the place of formula when they are ready to wean.

Just begin to introduce solid foods that are easy for them to chew and digest, and include the block also, and let them take it from there.

If they don't like the block, another issue, perhaps a HHB block formula for young juveniles might be better accepted?

All you can do is to offer a block formula made for young juveniles and wait to see if they accept it or not, and then try another if need be.

[cava]

If you are overwintering these guys they are at a dietary disadvantage of not being able to forage outside for what they would normally eat. They wouldn't normally eat a dish of grocery store produce, every single day. Because we can't offer the diverse mix of natural eats, we offer a block which has basic essential nutrition, proven to protect against MBD in captive squirrels. You can spice this up by offering a variety of veggies and outdoor treats once they are eating the block. The reason we say give block first is because it's not the tastiest and most squirrels would eat cheerios and nuts every day until it killed them.

That's why people say train them to eat the block first. How old are they and how have you been offering it? Twice a day? Are you cleaning out the old ones and giving fresh. Have you experimented with different brands? HHB's have a picky block that people have used successfully.

Give them formula for as long as you can, what's the rush?

[Blueyezatl]

There's no rush. I'll will give them formula every day until their twenty years old...lol. they are 12-14 weeks old. Yes, I am overwintering them. I have no choice. The wildlife ppl said to let them go when they were 8 weeks old and I'm sorry...I just couldn't do that. I saved them from someone who had snatched them from a tree and kept them cooped up in a laundry basket for days with out food or water. I'm doing the very best that I can for them. I have bought them there kaytee block with us all that my husband will allow.. He thinks they can live off corn and peanuts. He had built them a nice cage...6 ft tall...3 ft wide on side and 4 ft in front. I'm just word so much over them. Am trying to talk him into buying a more quality block but to no avail yet.... Have doctored up the kaytee block... Which they ate good for a few weeks.. And now, nothing. Will they starve if I offer nothing but formula and blocked whenever... Plz help. Any advice welcome

[Blueyezatl]

PS... Have have them very few veggies in hope that they'll eat the block....

[cava]

Yeah, they're at an age where they should be eating it and probably self weaning from the formula. Let's see what others say about what you should do next. Thanks for trying so hard, I get the money thing, I do.

[UDoWhat]

There's no rush. I'll will give them formula every day until their twenty years old...lol. they are 12-14 weeks old. Yes, I am overwintering them. I have no choice. The wildlife ppl said to let them go when they were 8 weeks old and I'm sorry...I just couldn't do that. I saved them from someone who had snatched them from a tree and kept them cooped up in a laundry basket for days with out food or water. I'm doing the very best that I can for them. I have bought them there kaytee block with us all that my husband will allow.. He thinks they can live off corn and peanuts. He had built them a nice cage...6 ft tall...3 ft wide on side and 4 ft in front. I'm just word so much over them. Am trying to talk him into buying a more quality block but to no avail yet.... Have doctored up the kaytee block... Which they ate good for a few weeks.. And now, nothing. Will they starve if I offer nothing but formula and blocked whenever... Plz help. Any advice welcomei

NO CORN AND PEANUTS. NO KIDDING. :poke I haven't read through your thread but you may have well released them at 8 weeks. They would have died if released at 8 weeks but they will die if fed corn and peanuts in a matter of weeks too. So please no peanuts or corn. Tell hubby to stick with making those great cages and we will take care of feeding the babies. :grin3 Lol.

Next..... I promise you if you are not feeding anything but Kaytee block and formula they will not starve themselves. .... I promise. As you begin to cut down their formula feedings to begin to wean THEY WILL EAT BLOCK. I have never had 1 squirrel out of the 100's of babies I have raised and released over the past 18 years not eat block or starve themselves. If you offer them anything else you will be dead in the water! They won't touch block if given any other choice. Give them a couple weeks and stay strong!! :w00tKaytee will be fine. Do some research online and you will see it isn't all that bad and better than NO block at all.

[stepnstone]

Really worried bc they're supposed to have block first...???
You are absolutely correct!
A quality rodent block should be their first and only solid food they are eating and eating well before other solids are introduced. It is the most essential part of a captive squirrels diet! Once they are eating their block routinely most will wean or begin to wean themselves while continuing to eat their block and will continue to eat block even after weaning and other foods are introduced. If you offer them a variety with their block to begin with I can guarantee block is not going to be what they are going to be eating and yes, you will then have an issue! Just like the many that have come to this board panicking over their mbd babies or crying over those sent to the Rainbow bridge. Vegetables and fruit alone are not going to supply the calcium and nutrition needed for a captives daily nutritional balance.
Block is just that essential to their diet!

And thank you cava and UdoWhat for your input because I'm seriously getting tired of having to transfer
forums over to All squirrels go to heaven over this issue of not having been fed a proper diet when it is
practically screamed all over this board just how important their diet is to their survival.

[Blueyezatl]

Ok. I believe I may have been misunderstood...I do not feed them corn or peanuts. I spent the first two days that I had them hydrating them then introduced the goat milk formula untill I was able to get FV. This was all before I became a member here and had did some research online about what milk to give. Now, during this time... Yes they had some broccoli, some fresh spinach, a few grapes, and hubby got some corn and peanuts. Have they ever are them? Yes. And then I found you guys and read all I could on squirrel nutrition. Found out about rodent block... Bought kaytee and stopped all other foods.. Except formula. At first, they seem to like shredding the block... Then all of the sudden, they seem to have little interest in it. Could be bc every time I think they're very hungry, I give in and give them formula. Should I be cutting down on the number of feedings through out the day? Mostly they eat 3x a day...12-15 ml. And I'll apologize ahead of time, no I don't have a scale so as of right now, I have no idea what they weigh. I will post pics as soon as I get my 16 month old daughter fed her breakfast and down for morning nap. Yes, 16 month old, two squirrels, two dogs, husband and step son... I'm a very busy mom!!! If I take care of something, I want to do it the best that I can... So no peanuts and corn is understood. I'm just wanting to make sure that the tough love I'm giving these babies, nothing but formula and block until they learn to love it, is the right thing to do and in their best interest. Wanted to make sure that I'm not starving them. And thank you for letting me know that I am not and that patience and firmness is what they need right now

[stepnstone]

Ok. I believe I may have been misunderstood...I do not feed them corn or peanuts. I spent the first two days that I had them hydrating them then introduced the goat milk formula untill I was able to get FV. This was all before I became a member here and had did some research online about what milk to give. Now, during this time... Yes they had some broccoli, some fresh spinach, a few grapes, and hubby got some corn and peanuts. Have they ever are them? Yes. And then I found you guys and read all I could on squirrel nutrition. Found out about rodent block... Bought kaytee and stopped all other foods.. Except formula. At first, they seem to like shredding the block... Then all of the sudden, they seem to have little interest in it. Could be bc every time I think they're very hungry, I give in and give them formula. Should I be cutting down on the number of feedings through out the day? Mostly they eat 3x a day...12-15 ml. And I'll apologize ahead of time, no I don't have a scale so as of right now, I have no idea what they weigh. I will post pics as soon as I get my 16 month old daughter fed her breakfast and down for morning nap. Yes, 16 month old, two squirrels, two dogs, husband and step son... I'm a very busy mom!!! If I take care of something, I want to do it the best that I can... So no peanuts and corn is understood. I'm just wanting to make sure that the tough love I'm giving these babies, nothing but formula and block until they learn to love it, is the right thing to do and in their best interest. Wanted to make sure that I'm not starving them. And thank you for letting me know that I am not and that patience and firmness is what they need right now

I have a crew of four the same age, actually I believe mine are 14 weeks. Like you I have no idea what they weigh at this point, they are healthy, eat very well and unless they were to need medicating I don't see any necessity to know their weight. They still take formula from a bowl 2X a day, once in morning and in the evening. It's only lately that I'm starting to see a small decrease in intake on formula. When they really cut back I will go down to 1X per day until that starts getting rejected. I will say this crew is the first I've ever had that has continued to take formula this long.
Of course I always follow the protocol of block first and my guys do eat their block extreamly well as well as any vegetable they have been introduced to. I feed my crew HHB's and Mazuri, of course they prefer the HHB's over Mazuri. In the mornings after formula I only give them HHB's, I give them Mazuri with their veggies for throughout the day and evenings they get a combination of HHB's, Maurzi and a select fruit. 100% of HHB's will be eaten, 90% of Mazuri will be eaten by next morning. Of course one has to find that balance between too little food vs. too much to cut down on waste.

Not trying to knock the product but I personally have not had much luck feeding KT but I did raise my MBD baby on Mazuri and she did recover. Once I discovered HHB's and saw the difference they made with my little's growth and appearance it has been the primary block that I feed all in my care. That's easy for me to say as I never have the amount of squirrels in my care a lot of rehabbers do that would make primarily feeding HHB's the same as taking out a second mortgage on their homes.

I also hope you understand my frustration in my last post was not directed at you, it's obvious you are trying to do what is right for the healthy survival of your babies. TSB strives to keep our research up to date and educate so we all can raise healthy babies. It is extreamly frustrating when our efforts are undermined!

[Blueyezatl]

I'm very lucky bc my hubby... Who thinks that corn and peanuts are fine... Is letting me order some teklad blocks offline. Which I hear are pretty good quality blocks. So thank God for that much. They have started taking to their blocks bc honestly, have had very little choice. I feed them formula three times a day and nothing else. So....I really thank you all for your positive input as I am trying the best I can

[Spanky]

I read where you have dogs.. please do not allow the squirrels to acclimate to dogs... Just wanted to add this important note.

You hare getting lots of great advice here. Has hubby finished building the larger cage?

[UDoWhat]

Ok. I believe I may have been misunderstood...I do not feed them corn or peanuts. I spent the first two days that I had them hydrating them then introduced the goat milk formula untill I was able to get FV. This was all before I became a member here and had did some research online about what milk to give. Now, during this time... Yes they had some broccoli, some fresh spinach, a few grapes, and hubby got some corn and peanuts. Have they ever are them? Yes. And then I found you guys and read all I could on squirrel nutrition. Found out about rodent block... Bought kaytee and stopped all other foods.. Except formula. At first, they seem to like shredding the block... Then all of the sudden, they seem to have little interest in it. Could be bc every time I think they're very hungry, I give in and give them formula. Should I be cutting down on the number of feedings through out the day? Mostly they eat 3x a day...12-15 ml. And I'll apologize ahead of time, no I don't have a scale so as of right now, I have no idea what they weigh. I will post pics as soon as I get my 16 month old daughter fed her breakfast and down for morning nap. Yes, 16 month old, two squirrels, two dogs, husband and step son... I'm a very busy mom!!! If I take care of something, I want to do it the best that I can... So no peanuts and corn is understood. I'm just wanting to make sure that the tough love I'm giving these babies, nothing but formula and block until they learn to love it, is the right thing to do and in their best interest. Wanted to make sure that I'm not starving them. And thank you for letting me know that I am not and that patience and firmness is what they need right now

No, no, no,..... I know you don't feed them peanuts and corn. I was just kidding when you said your husband thought that they could eat peanuts and corn. :grin3 It is really important to know their weight so that we can figure if 12 to 15 ccs is too little or too much to eat. You can get a kitchen scale at Walmart or stores like the Bed Bath and Beyond or Target. Once we know what their weights are we can guide you better as to how much to feed them. I promise they won't starve themselves and they will begin to eat block. Please be sure to supply them with a water bottle or bowl. Rodent block can make them pretty thirsty.

[stepnstone]

There's no rush. I'll will give them formula every day until their twenty years old...lol. they are 12-14 weeks old.

It is really important to know their weight so that we can figure if 12 to 15 ccs is too little or too much to eat.

Seriously at 12-14 weeks?? You can come weigh my babies for me... bring band aids. :rolf
My four 14 week olds have been free fed from a bowl at least for the past two weeks,
together they consume 4.3 ounces of formula each time. Personally I'm waiting and wanting them to cut back!
They do eat their block, all their veggies and would probably eat my fingers too if I held them in there too long.

[UDoWhat]

Seriously at 12-14 weeks?? You can come weigh my babies for me... bring band aids. :rolf
My four 14 week olds have been free fed from a bowl at least for the past two weeks,
together they consume 4.3 ounces of formula each time. Personally I'm waiting and wanting them to cut back!
They do eat their block, all their veggies and would probably eat my fingers too if I held them in there too long.

No kidding! I do put my older babies in a container and put it on the scale to weigh them ..... with the top closed tightly. :laugh2 Otherwise I would look like I fell in a rose bush!

[stepnstone]

No kidding! I do put my older babies in a container and put it on the scale to weigh them ..... with the top closed tightly. :laugh2 Otherwise I would look like I fell in a rose bush!

I use a small cloth carrier if I were to need a weight for medicating or noticeable weight loss but once they hit 250,
healthy, and eating a solid diet with or without formula, I don't see a purpose unless I were just curious.
My self preservation usually does overrule curiosity. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/xd-laugh.gif

[island rehabber]

Seriously at 12-14 weeks?? You can come weigh my babies for me... bring band aids. :rolf
My four 14 week olds have been free fed from a bowl at least for the past two weeks,
together they consume 4.3 ounces of formula each time. Personally I'm waiting and wanting them to cut back!
They do eat their block, all their veggies and would probably eat my fingers too if I held them in there too long.

What is it with the big sucky babies this season? :rotfl MY two 14-wk olds cannot get the hang of a bowl and are still taking 30-40cc's by syringe! Enough already! I need their cage for the little ones coming up and they need to get out of here :rofl4

[Blueyezatl]

Thank you to everyone who responded...I really appreciate the support. Here's what had been happening the past two days... Clyde has started to take to the block pretty well. Not just shredding it but actually eating it so I'm relieved. Bonnie on the other hand, wants to still be hand fed her formula. Which, I'm starting to just get use to...lol. I will get a scale to weigh them as soon as I can. Can only cater so much to them so much in one week... However, they have increased their intake of the formula. Or so it seems. It was hard to keep up with bc I only had two syringes that I was feeding them from... Feeding with one hand and refilling with the other until they had their fill. I'm using 5ml syringes so as I said, it got hard to keep up with. Now, I have five that I fill prior to feeding and can actually see how much their eating... They seem to have no problems emptying all five. So, since starting this new system... In the past two days...I have noticed their intake is more like 25ml. As for my dogs, I don't allow the squirrels and digs to interact. Am too scared that it'll make them unreleasable. I do have a question... Should I offer block before feeding them formula first thing in the morning? It seems like Clyde is ok with eating block first thing but Bonnie, not so much. She paces until I get her and give her formula. Do I just let them do their own individual thing? I'm hoping that once I get the teklad 2018 that she'll take to the block much better. Again, thank you to everyone. Oh, and during overwintering... Should I add something for heat in their cage? A heat lamp or something? They have a nesting box with fleece and leaves and tissue paper that they've decided to put in there. Should I cover the cage with a heavy blanket during weather months?

[Blueyezatl]

Sparky... Yes, he had built the cage larger...6ft tall, 4 ft in front and 3ft on sides.

[Spanky]

Sparky... Yes, he had built the cage larger...6ft tall, 4 ft in front and 3ft on sides.

Good deal!


As for my dogs, I don't allow the squirrels and digs to interact. Am too scared that it'll make them unreleasable.

:thumbsup Exactly!


I do have a question... Should I offer block before feeding them formula first thing in the morning?

Personally, at about 8 weeks I offer block first thing to everyone. This is the critical foundation of their diet (after they wean from formula) so it is offered first they way we offer a healthy meal to our children and we would not even consider any lessor healthy treats if we don't know they have eaten a healthy meal.

[QUOTE=Blueyezatl;1238833]Oh, and during overwintering... Should I add something for heat in their cage? A heat lamp or something? They have a nesting box with fleece and leaves and tissue paper that they've decided to put in there. Should I cover the cage with a heavy blanket during weather months?

I overwinter in extreme N(E) Georgia and have never added heat to the release cages and never had a squirrel compromised because there was no heat. If I ever considered it it would have to be darn cold and I'd be more concerned about a singleton... these two have each other. I can vouch that with 3+ squirrels in a single nest box, it is pretty "toasty" in there... I have reached into the box before and it is noticeably warmer than outside the box.

Instead of the blanket, cover the upper walls of one corner of the cage with plywood to create a corner that is more protected from the wind and any driving rain. This is where I place the nest boxes.

Also, a roof of some sort on the top of the cage is a good idea not only as protection from the elements but it would also prevent raccoons from pooping into their cage. Raccoons are host to a parasite that is lethal to squirrels and is passed in their poop. Plywood or even the plastic panels sold at the big box building supply stores works just fine.

Finally, if the outdoor cage sits on the ground and does not have a bottom measures must be taken to prevent raccoons (and other critters) from digging under the cage and gaining entry. While chicken wire is not suitable for caging squirrels, you can place it around the perimeter of the cage to prevent burrowing from unwelcomed visitors.

[Blueyezatl]

Awesome response... The cage actually has plywood covering one side and the back... With hardware cloth on the inside to keep them from chewing their way out and the rest is open... With hardware cloth. The cage sits on my porch so there's no burrowing and there it's a roof... Metal with hardware cloth under it to keep them from having access to the metal. So it sounds like hubby did well. :) I was thinking they would be plenty warm but just wanted to make sure that I didn't need to help out. I really don't know how to get Bonnie to start on her block. She's the baby. Loves to be with the family and will even let me pet her to sleep. Afterwards, I can take her to the nesting box and she'll go right in and go to sleep. I don't think she's taken to well to being in the cage where as Clyde... He doesn't seem to be bothered. Bonnie climbs all over the place, chewing on the front of the cage any time that I'm out there. So I've been trying not to spend so much time out with her, just watching. I think me being out there alot makes it worse. Do you think she'll take more happily to the teklad block once it gets here? Right now, I'm giving them kaytee until it gets here.

[Blueyezatl]

Lord, I have a thousand questions a day... Are fruit branches considered food that shouldn't be given until block it's part of regular diet?

[stepnstone]

Lord, I have a thousand questions a day... Are fruit branches considered food that shouldn't be given until block it's part of regular diet?

No, branches are good to supply, they help to keep teeth filed. :great

[Spanky]

14 weeks old is about the youngest I put anybody in the outdoor release cage,,, usually they are 16 week or older. Sometimes a mixed group may have a 14 - 15 week old in their cage crew with them when they go out.. So not surprising that Bonnie is not fond of being in the RC (Release Cage) already.

And if they are closer to 12 weeks than 14 weeks, please bring them back indoors for a few weeks if you can?

[Blueyezatl]

Am just wanting to give an update... Had been trying to get my little ones to eat their block... Kaytee bc it was convenient to obtain. One would eat them and the other wouldn't touch them.... No matter how much I doctored them up. So I was finally able to order Harland teklad 2018 brand. I received them today and have one to Bonnie.. The pocket of all and she loves it! Took it right from my hand and wouldn't let Clyde close to her while she ate it. I'm such a happy squirrel momma right now!!!! Now, how many of these should I provide for them daily?

[cava]

I'm so glad they like them. I'm going to be using the for the first time this year so this is promising news. According to the search I did on the board, they can be free fed these blocks but you should be sure to freshen the up daily, remove the old ones, because they can spoil.

I also read to store the bag in the fridge/freezer.

[UDoWhat]

Am just wanting to give an update... Had been trying to get my little ones to eat their block... Kaytee bc it was convenient to obtain. One would eat them and the other wouldn't touch them.... No matter how much I doctored them up. So I was finally able to order Harland teklad 2018 brand. I received them today and have one to Bonnie.. The pocket of all and she loves it! Took it right from my hand and wouldn't let Clyde close to her while she ate it. I'm such a happy squirrel momma right now!!!! Now, how many of these should I provide for them daily?

Great! I'm so glad to hear that little Bonnie is eating the HT 2018 block. :dance I usually put about 1 rounded cup per squirrel in the cage in the morning. If it is all gone by afternoon I usually put in another couple handfuls. Pretty soon you'll be able to judge how much to put in. Remember once they are eating their block regularly you can begin to give them a few vegetables or fruits about 2 choices at a time to begin with. Sometimes I give as an example, apple and kale together or sweet potato and green beans. Start out slowly with just a few vegetables and fruits at a time so they do not get diarrhea. You can also add a few nuts a couple of times a week. BUT ONLY start adding in other choices after they are eating block like it is the best thing that ever happened for 3 or more weeks !! :grin2

Sounds like you are doing great!:w00t