Ready for Soft Release and Found 2 Juveniles

[WilliamH4]

We have been taking care of Emma since around October last year. How long should I let her live in her cage outside before allowing access to get out? She's still in the house as of today, but want to move her outside this weekend.

Also, found 2 more squirrels in my wall today! I'm guessing they're perhaps 3 months old. I made the mistake of allowing Emma's mom to stay in my soffit over the winter. I put her out, but she got back in. As the cold weather was setting in, I didn't feel good about putting her out again, so I let her stay. I assume the 2 squirrels are hers. I didn't think squirrels procreated over the winter, guess I was wrong. I intended on dealing with Emma's mom this weekend (get her out of my soffit), but don't know what to do now since finding 2 young squirrels.

So I have Emma ready for release, 2 new babies/juveniles and mom to evict. Looking for some advice on what to do and order to execute ideas.

[WilliamH4]

We just retrieved the 2 new squirrels from the wall. I've had a few minutes to think now. Here's what I'm thinking, let me know if I'm wrong.

1. Assuming it doesn't take long for a soft release, I'll set Emma's cage up outside this weekend and proceed with the soft release. If a soft release takes a while, I suppose I could construct a small, temporary cage for the 2 new squirrels inside.

2. Bring the cage back inside for the 2 new squirrels and raise them as we did Emma.

3. Get the mom out of my soffit.

[cava]

I'm a bit confused. So you're taking the 12 week old babies away from mom and bringing them inside? They will only be with mom for another month or so. May be you could build a nest box near the soffit and when you know everyone is outside of it, repair it and they won't be able to re-enter, forcing them to use the nest box you offered.

Meanwhile, soft release can take two to four weeks, depending on how well your rehab does in the cage. Some are ready to hit the road quickly, others hide in their nest boxes for the first week. Either way, she will probably use the cage for a while after you open the portal to come home to and sleep in at night, especially if you are still feeding her in it.

Hope this helps. My opinion is not to bring in maturing babies who are probably weaned/weaning and who have a mother already. Just work on relocating the family together.

[WilliamH4]

I'm a bit confused. So you're taking the 12 week old babies away from mom and bringing them inside? They will only be with mom for another month or so. May be you could build a nest box near the soffit and when you know everyone is outside of it, repair it and they won't be able to re-enter, forcing them to use the nest box you offered.

Meanwhile, soft release can take two to four weeks, depending on how well your rehab does in the cage. Some are ready to hit the road quickly, others hide in their nest boxes for the first week. Either way, she will probably use the cage for a while after you open the portal to come home to and sleep in at night, especially if you are still feeding her in it.

Hope this helps. My opinion is not to bring in maturing babies who are probably weaned/weaning and who have a mother already. Just work on relocating the family together.

I wasn't sure what to do with the babies. Mom must have had them in my soffit. They must have gone exploring and fell down inside my wall and couldn't get back up. You think it would be okay to build a nest box near the soffit, place the babies inside? I certainly don't mind doing that. We have enjoyed raising Emma, but was looking forward to getting my loft back. Don't mind raising new babies if needed, but will set up a box near soffit if you think that's okay. I don't want to take them away from mom, but don't want mom in the soffit any longer. She may have more babies then I'm stuck in a never-ending cycle, LOL.

When I say the fell down my wall, it wasn't directly under the soffit where I believe the nest is located. I have a 2 story house. The mom accesses my soffit at the second story and nest is close to her access point at second story. The 2 young squirrels were found at the opposite end of my house in a 1st story level in the wall (cut the drywall open to get them out). So, I didn't take them from mom, I rescued them from certain death inside the wall.

[cava]

Oh gosh, yes, get them out of there before they do something REALLY stupid.

Many folks have placed youngsters in places and mom will either hang there with them or may be she'll relocate them now that the trees are getting leaves, etc, but yes, I think she'll find and stay with them, especially if you locate it near where she is entering.

[WilliamH4]

Oh gosh, yes, get them out of there before they do something REALLY stupid.

Many folks have placed youngsters in places and mom will either hang there with them or may be she'll relocate them now that the trees are getting leaves, etc, but yes, I think she'll find and stay with them, especially if you locate it near where she is entering.

I don't think I'll have an opportunity to build a nest box until Saturday. Do you think it will be okay to put them in with Emma until then? Emma is 6+ months old. There's only 1 nest box in her cage. If you think there's even a chance Emma might get aggressive with the babies, I won't put them in with her.

[cava]

I answered your PM and think it would not be a good idea to put those babies with Emma in a confined space.

[WilliamH4]

Babies are in the nest box about 22 feet up. Mom knows where they are and mom is locked out of my soffit. 2 of the babies were out this morning exploring the tree. I used pine. I know that won't last as long as cedar, but I just needed a place for the babies and mom to take refuge immediately (cedar is expensive!). I'll make some out of cedar next time. Note the missing gutter, I had to pull it off to make temporary repairs to fascia. All that accomplished was giving easier access to mom to chew more holes though, LOL.

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[cava]

Wow! That is an awesome squirrel house! I'm so glad they are hanging in it. Great job relocating!

[Mel1959]

It is a very nice squirrel house! My only recommendation is to drill some holes up high in the lower section under the “porch” for air flow. I don’t think cedar is a good choice for nest boxes, anyway, because it’s not good for them to chew it and breathe it. :grin2

[WilliamH4]

It is a very nice squirrel house! My only recommendation is to drill some holes up high in the lower section under the “porch” for air flow. I don’t think cedar is a good choice for nest boxes, anyway, because it’s not good for them to chew it and breathe it. :grin2

Actually, I did drill quite a few holes on all sides and the bottom. I must have done it after this picture. Thanks for the recommendation though.

[WilliamH4]

So far, the baby squirrels are still using the nest box/squirrel house. All 3 babies were on the ground yesterday foraging.

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[Mel1959]

:great:great