These were in a mixed nut bag; hazel nuts?

[Snicker Bar]

My daughter came home with some mixed nuts from Kroger. I recognize
Walnut and almond but what are these? Safe?

307262

[Snowy]

Hazel nuts. My wilds eat them.

[Snowy]

Also known as Filberts.

[Snicker Bar]

Great, thanks . Maybe I can lure these flyers out of my shirt with them?!? These guys have become
Velcro furballs on steroids!!

[SammysMom]

My flyers loved them! They chewed the funniest little hole in the shell!

[Snicker Bar]

Lol just found my glasses on the floor of squirrel room , and noticed my spelling error! “But bag” ; that’s about right . They’re burryimg them in my butt, bra, armpit...
So if there’s a tech savvy person out there can I fix that ? If not oh well, I guess the picture helps to clarify we aren’t buying but bags in MS ...

[CritterMom]

My flyers loved them! They chewed the funniest little hole in the shell!

I have a little basket filled with drilled hazelnuts from Laz. How in the heck to they fish the nut out of that teeny hole?

[Scooterzmom]

All my fuzzers just love those. One of their favorite treats.

My little Simon (who is partially blind), however, doesn't seem to realize he's supposed to eat just the nut. He tries to eat the shell until he finally gets to the nut :shakehead Since he's not clear on the concept, now I make sure to remove the shell before I give them to him.

[island rehabber]

Hazelnuts are one of the healthiest nuts you can give your squirrels. As nuts go, their Calcium-to-phosphorous ratio is better than most, and waaaay better than cashews or pecans. :great

[Snicker Bar]

Glad to know this, will switch over for recipes :)

[Mel1959]

I have to share. There is a hazelnut farm in Oregon or Washington where I purchased a 60# bag of shelled hazelnuts for around $40! My daughter was driving home from Oregon following an internship out there so I had her load up a bag of these as well as some unshelled ones. I have no idea what the shipping would cost but I can look into the name of the place if anyone is interested. I use these in my boo balls so I’m glad to hear they are better for the squees. :grin2

[Snicker Bar]

I’d be glad to order. They’re $7.49 per # here ( getting more at Kroger now) so dang , that would be way cheaper!

[Diggie's Friend]

Don't want to be a party pooper, yet if the nuts happen not to be organically certified, then nut growers aren't restricted from using the following noted fungicides and pesticides as the law allows, and in some cases requires nuts be fumigated with to destroy for Alfatoxins, and insects before they are sold in markets. Since the use of these toxins increases yield, those that produce nuts organically will often use one or both of these fumigants to produce non organic nuts.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/usda-reminds-organic-importers-requirements

With organic grown and you are willing to open them up, instead of having the squirrels open them, so you can check them for evidence of fungus, and in addition soak them in organic low fat yogurt, or low fat kefir overnight, rinsing them in the morning with pure water, blotting them to remove excess water and placing them spread out on a cooking sheet to heat approx. 18 min. on low in the oven, with the door open if the lowest temp isn't low enough, then the risk of fungal toxicity is greatly reduced.

https://wellnessmama.com/59139/soaking-nuts-seeds/ Just don't add any salt.

This process also lowers phytates and oxalates to some degree, as the pre/probiotic in organic yogurt and Kefir reduce both oxalic acid and calcium oxalate also, as these sources contain oxalate consuming good bacteria, and the fermentation of the yogurt and Kefir reduce phytates, which in turn increases the bioavailability of the calcium in nuts. For when nuts are fed raw the noted Ca:P ratio isn't supported, since calcium is loss to oxalate predation upon the intestinal digestion of nuts, and the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, where oxalic acid bonds readily with Calcium carbonate, transforming it into the insoluble compound know as Calcium oxalate, the same that has a potential to promote the formation of Calcium oxalate kidney stones in highly acidic urine. The noted ratio of raw nuts is not supported once this takes place, as the resulting calcium loss increases the P:Ca ratio as a direct result.

[Mel1959]

Don't want to be a party pooper, yet if the nuts happen not to be organically certified, then nut growers aren't restricted from using the following noted fungicides and pesticides as the law allows, and in some cases requires nuts be fumigated with to destroy for Alfatoxins, and insects before they are sold in markets. Since the use of these toxins increases yield, those that produce nuts organically will often use one or both of these fumigants to produce non organic nuts.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/usda-reminds-organic-importers-requirements

With organic grown and you are willing to open them up, instead of having the squirrels open them, so you can check them for evidence of fungus, and in addition soak them in organic low fat yogurt, or low fat kefir overnight, rinsing them in the morning with pure water, blotting them to remove excess water and placing them spread out on a cooking sheet to heat approx. 18 min. on low in the oven, with the door open if the lowest temp isn't low enough, then the risk of fungal toxicity is greatly reduced.

https://wellnessmama.com/59139/soaking-nuts-seeds/ Just don't add any salt.

This process also lowers phytates and oxalates to some degree, as the pre/probiotic in organic yogurt and Kefir reduce both oxalic acid and calcium oxalate also, as these sources contain oxalate consuming good bacteria, and the fermentation of the yogurt and Kefir reduce phytates, which in turn increases the bioavailability of the calcium in nuts. For when nuts are fed raw the noted Ca:P ratio isn't supported, since calcium is loss to oxalate predation upon the intestinal digestion of nuts, and the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, where oxalic acid bonds readily with Calcium carbonate, transforming it into the insoluble compound know as Calcium oxalate, the same that has a potential to promote the formation of Calcium oxalate kidney stones in highly acidic urine. The noted ratio of raw nuts is not supported once this takes place, as the resulting calcium loss increases the P:Ca ratio as a direct result.

I hear what you’re saying, Diggies Friend, but in my area we are very limited in sources for organic nuts. I’m also fairly certain that the wild squirrels don’t care if their nuts are organic or not. I would never intentionally feed a captive or wild squirrel anything that was harmful, but I think everyone has to be realistic about this. Im sorry to say that most folks don’t have the time or dedication to go through many of the processes you suggest...it’s just not feasible. I applaud you for your dedication to nutritionally sound food sources for your squirrels. They are very lucky. :Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

While we're on the subject, should anyone live here in the outrageously high cost of living NY Metro area, Stop & Shop grocery stores has almonds and walnuts in the shell on sale for $2.99/lb. This is a HUGE savings for us, because those bags of Diamond nuts can get up to $6.99/lb right before the holidays :hissyfit

[Snicker Bar]

Hope my animals appreciate me today... Shopped for them and my human family for over hour and half after work day from hell...Carefully getting the best veggies and nuts ( and many cartons of ice cream for my secret freezer). Get to check out, card is declined 😑 Says wrong PIN ( it wasn’t ). New bank issues apparently. Had to leave my food, drive back to office alone at night ( not safe) and get pulled over by a police officer within 1/4 of our business . Headlight was out. I was so rattled, embarrassed and ticked off I couldn’t locate my insurance card. I tried to explain the whole sad story of my evening and could tell the cop was really impressed... Finally I said, “You know? I’m kind of glad you just pulled me over officer! This isn’t a very safe thing coming here at night! If you will just follow me to that building over there, I can get some cash for my food, and find that card :) “ I think he truly believed I was a frazzled druggie (I bet I looked classic pothead by this point) about to attempt to drive away, but to humor me he allowed me to pull out, politely park and unlock my office and get the $$. I said “See, this happened for a reason. Could have had my throat slit if you hadn’t have been here :) “ He looked at my ticket and said “You know what, you’re right ... Sounds like you’ve had a bad enough evening. I’ll just give you a warning instead. Anytime you’re scared coming down here you just call me!:)”
So, there it is. My Hazelnuts were extremely difficult to come by last night. Fed my babies at 10:00, heated my cold supper, cuddled with one kid and two squirrels for 5 and tucked them all in.
Then grabbed the Bryers and a spoon, and hid in the bathroom. No nuts. Cookies and Cream :)

[Mel1959]

Oh Marie, I’m so sorry you had such a rough day :hug. I’m sure the officer appreciated your honesty and your honest concerns. You can’t make up stuff like that....he’s probably heard a lot of stories, but never one like that. :grin2

[Diggie's Friend]

If you imagine that the prep would be done daily, that isn't the case save for cooking veggies. These preparations are done very infrequently about three to four times a year.

Beginning this process with the nuts can take max a couple of hours total, not in one block, which makes this is a doable process. Just choose the day when you have the time to do it. .
Blanching nuts then soaking them overnight helps to remove the skin can be made easier just by using clean soft tooth brush, which does much to remove toxins along makes them allot healthier! Once dried the nuts are placed into vacuum sealed bags and stored in the cupboard.

With the investment of about hour every few months, and feeding less than a teaspoon the nuts daily, you can achieve this goal.

Considering that when not prepared that the toxins, oxalates, and phytates that both lower the level and increase the ratio of P:Ca. and don't address a possible non visible fungal issues, can cost much more in time and treasure..

Squash is prebaked and portioned out into some compartments using ice or baby food trays, that makes feeding them daily a breeze. Only vegetables are boiled daily, and using this small wire tea stranger makes that very easy to do. https://www.amazon.com/TraderPlus-Stainless-Infuser-Strainer-Locking/dp/B07KK78FDJ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1547237307&sr=8-6&keywords=tea+strainer+spring

There are small mini freezers available that will fit in a small apartment that can be sued to store the foods should your freezer not have the room to feed over a couple of squirrels.

[Diggie's Friend]

Whoops! I see I left something important out:

Considering that when not prepared that the toxins, oxalates, and phytates that both lower the level of calcium, and increase the ratio of P:Ca. and don't address a possible non visible fungal issues, can cost much more in time and treasure..



With the investment of about hour every few months, and feeding less than a teaspoon the nuts daily, you can achieve this goal.

For preparation of fruits (cutting up) and squash (baked), that is done when these sources are in season.

Frozen vegetables can be purchased anytime. Earthbound is an organic brand that carries pre-cut up vegetables.

Of course, the more squirrels you care for, the greater the amount to prepared with be.

Asking a friend over to help makes this task easier, faster, and fun!

[RamaMama]

Because I was under the impression that hazel nuts in general were better than walnuts or almonds I tried putting
them in my boo balls, to take the place of SOME of the other two, but not all.

Dumb BAD MOVE ! !

My CR squs HATE them. What a bummer. Having a difficult time getting them to accept the boo balls now but
I can't waste what is so difficult to come by........ the Fox Valley mainly. So for this batch they will have to deal.

I won't do this again.
Sorry to say but Hazel nuts are completely off the Costa Rican menu. CR squs really do not care for nuts very
much with the minor exception that some of them like English Walnuts, or black walnuts {which I no longer buy}
and some like California Almonds.
Rama pretty much hates every thing except CR almendra's right off the tree.

"What a world"[/:tap

:bliss

[Diggie's Friend]

The Almendras are worth spending more time to look into!

Not surprising that your Central American squirrels like the sources that likely they were exposed to by their mothers very early in life, when they smelled them on their mother's breath.

[Diggie's Friend]

This article contains data on the Almendra fruit, but not the seeds; nor does it note the oxalate content the fruit or the seeds.

http://www.eattheweeds.com/tropical-almond-sea-almond/

The outer flesh is noted to be higher in calcium than phosphorus.



Morton reported T. cattapa kernels are 52% fat, 25.5% protein and 6% sugar. The oil is mostly palmitic acid, 55.5% and oleic acid, 23%. Per 100 grams the outer flesh 74% moisture, 5% protein and has 84 mg of calcium, 24mg of phosphorus, 7 mg iron, 21 mg of ascorbic acid.

Nor wonder your boy just wants just this seed; just look at its fat and protein content percentages!

I'll keep searching since this tree goes by many names from India, to the Caribbean (Florida), South.A., Central.A.

[Diggie's Friend]

http://rdo.psu.ac.th/sjstweb/journal/37-5/37-5-2.pdf

I just found this study on (Terminalia catappa) Tropical almond, from another region.

The tables on the mineral composition of the seeds are excellent; they compare the nutrients in the TC seeds side by side with that other commonly consumed seeds.

The Calcium to Phosphorus ratio is good, yet since the seeds are noted to contain a high amount of Phytates which bind up the calcium it contains, thereby making it non bioavailable to the body; preparing the seeds by soaking them in plain yogurt overnight, and then drying them in the oven on low heat for 15 min., is merited, as this will improve the bioavailable value of the calcium they contain from that they would be upon digestion when consumed raw.

Since it appears that the table on the anti-nutrients didn't include data on the oxalates content, it is all the more advisable to use this means of reducing the phytates, as it will at the same time lower the oxalates in this source.

[RamaMama]

This article contains data on the Almendra fruit, but not the seeds; nor does it note the oxalate content the fruit or the seeds.

http://www.eattheweeds.com/tropical-almond-sea-almond/

The outer flesh is noted to be higher in calcium than phosphorus.



Nor wonder your boy just wants just this seed; just look at its fat and protein content percentages!

I'll keep searching since this tree goes by many names from India, to the Caribbean (Florida), South.A., Central.A.

That little white nut on the inside does NOT come out willingly. This type of "nut' is nothing like any other nuts people use on TSB
even think of as a 'nut'. Opening with a nut cracker does not work well.... the 'meaty' outside has to be completely peeled off
and 9 times out of ten, when using a nut cracker, it crushes the soft white meat of the inner nut. We use a large metal hammer
with a butchers knife to open or take off some of the inside hard shell.... for our squs whose teeth are not good.
JD is the only one who can tear through the meat and chew open the hard inner shell...... Mancha has all her teeth but she
refuses to chew on the hard shell unless some of it has been chopped off. We are unsure about this........ it is in the genetic
make up of CR squs to WANT to scritch on almendra nuts. It is a huge part of their diet here.

[Snicker Bar]

I hate it when that happens!! Maybe you could just powder up their favorite nut, and roll the balls in it to coat the goo, and make them more tasty??

Diggies Friend lol!! Where can I find these fun friends ?? I want one :) !! No, I need two, three??!! :) The only buddies I can think of that could relate and enjoy these tasks are nonexistent in MS :( In far away lands :( . Here , out in the boonies, any locals would enjoy preparing the squirrel... , not their food :( If you live near NE MS , come on down! I need a class from you :)

[Snicker Bar]

Just messin’ with you DF, as we say here in the south :grin2

[Diggie's Friend]

Preparing these would be a real chore. This reminds me of mangoes, having to cut the flesh off the seed, break open the outer shell to get to the edible seed. I read it doesn't taste good, perhaps squirrels that eat acorns that we can't stomach due to high tannin content would like this seed. Have you ever tried one? I read the inner kernel is made into flour, that it has high anti-oxidants.

.http://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/Chemical-and-Technological-Studies-of-Mango-Seed-Kernel.pdf

Curious, do your squirrels like the fleshy fruit (pericarp) of the Almendra? Do they peal the fruit?

What other seeds and nuts in the wild have you seen them eat?

[Diggie's Friend]

Info and data on the mango seed and fruit:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cristian_Torres_Leon/publication/304336385_Mango_seed_Functional_and_nutritional_pr operties/links/57a169cc08aeb1604832bb7e/Mango-seed-Functional-and-nutritional-properties.pdf?origin=publication_detail

To view click on the Download, and then on the page click on the side arrows to enlarge the text.

https://www.ijcmas.com/6-4-2017/Shilpa%20Yatnatti%20and%20D.%20Vijayalakshmi.pdf

See: Table.2 Antimicrobial activity of Total Polyphenol (TPP) extract

To make flour from the seed for human use obviously requires allot of preparation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango

The fruit, hmmm, yummy!

https://www.costarica.com/blog/fruit-of-the-month-mangoes