Chicken layer feed?

[colleen4]

Everything I am reading about a balanced diet for squirrels seems to be pretty consistent with chickens. The feed I use for my layers is 22% protein and high in calcium. Wild squirrels seem to love it. I really don't want to buy rodent blocks if I can avoid it, especially since I have so much chicken feed already on hand. I plan to also feed her daily with fresh fruits and veggies and a few nuts/seeds a day, plus wild weeds like dandelions and lambs ear. I have searched and searched the internet and can't find anything pro or con. I can't be the first person to think of this.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Mel1959]

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say there’s a reason one is called chicken feed and the other is called rodent block. There are many micronutrients that are probably not the same and therefore one wouldn’t support the other long term. Squirrels diets that are too high in phosphorous depletes the calcium in their bones and causes metabolic bone disease, which can be fatal.

You can purchase Harlan Teklad rodent block (one of the better types) online from WeeCompanions for about $1.25 a pound. The shipping brings the cost up a little, but not astronomically so.

[cava]

A gentle reminder too, wild squirrels can eat pretty much whatever we give them (healthy or not) and still thrive because it's not their entire diet and they must forage for the rest of the day and that balances things out.

Diet for squirrels has always been a tough issue because we're required to meet all of the nutritional needs with a handful of options for animals who forage different types of foods throughout the day and have different seasonal options, so their normal diet is varied.

[stepnstone]

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say there’s a reason one is called chicken feed and the other is called rodent block. There are many micro nutrients that are probably not the same and therefore one wouldn’t support the other long term. Squirrels diets that are too high in phosphorous depletes the calcium in their bones and causes metabolic bone disease, which can be fatal.
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Outside other factors fat, calcium, vitamins and such, poultry diets include corn, wheat, barley, and other grains.
Not a diet suitable for a squirrel's nutritional requirements.

[Sottinger]

A gentle reminder too, wild squirrels can eat pretty much whatever we give them (healthy or not) and still thrive because it's not their entire diet and they must forage for the rest of the day and that balances things out.

Diet for squirrels has always been a tough issue because we're required to meet all of the nutritional needs with a handful of options for animals who forage different types of foods throughout the day and have different seasonal options, so their normal diet is varied.

Best explanation in a nutshell I’ve ever heard for why to feed a captive squirrel different than a wild one. Pun intended ;)

[colleen4]

You can purchase Harlan Teklad rodent block (one of the better types) online from WeeCompanions for about $1.25 a pound. The shipping brings the cost up a little, but not astronomically so.

Thank you! I looked on Amazon and saw $40 for a 5 pound bag! I had a bit of sticker shock.

[Sottinger]

Thank you! I looked on Amazon and saw $40 for a 5 pound bag! I had a bit of sticker shock.

I wish that’s all I spent for Nibbles food! He has all but quit eating the lower cost blocks I bought in bulk so I ordered Henry’s today at $18.99 per 10oz bag. Purchased three of them. Then he needs more toys and chews and I wanted to stock up on antibiotics and other meds to have on hand in case needed one day. Final amazon total of $212. He’s the most expensive little critter I’ve ever had!

[cava]

Thank you! I looked on Amazon and saw $40 for a 5 pound bag! I had a bit of sticker shock.

There are different sellers with different prices. The last time I ordered two 5 lb bags each 12.95 from The Rat Shop/Nesom Distributing.

[CritterMom]

OMG!!! You are getting gouged.

Go on ebay and look up "Teklad 2014" and you will find prices closer to $12-$15 for 5 pounds. Sellers on Amazon have to bump their prices way up to cover the costs of having their items on the site but sometimes it is insane...

I use the Henry's blocks but I keep the others in the cage all the time too, and they like to chew on the hard blocks. I have been buying on ebay forever and have never had an issue.