Conflicting diet data here on the board...questions....

[strdsk]

Hey all and thanks for looking! So my guy won't eat anything leafy. He loved broccoli but getting tired of that. He adores cauliflower, but I feel bad only giving him that. He worships fruit and nuts but I know I can't make meals of it. And he likes carrots and sweet potato but I know it also has to be minimal. He of course eats three daily Henry's blocks. Somewhere on here (I can add pics if needed) the Henry's people put a useful food pyramid. It said that collard greens for example were a big no no...so I took it as gospel. Then, I saw on here a chart listing high to low calcified foods and also showed their phos counterpart. That chart ranked collard greens as literally the healthiest food for them out there....if you go by the numbers. My question is....excluding leafy goods....what healthy foods fo your lil ones go for? Which is healthy or not? This cauliflower is gonna get worn out real soon here I'm afraid. Or should I just stick with that if he allows it. He loves brussle sprouts and squash, too.....but stinky pee city AND te one chart now says squash is bad. Halp! Lol...

[Spanky]

While collard greens have a great Ca:P ratio, I believe they are high in oxalates... potatoes (white) are on the avoid list because of starch. So, everything in balance... and everything in moderation as grandpa used to say.

The pyramid also says somewhere that variety is the key.

Have you tried wild things like dandelion greens or apple twigs with the leaves?

Another option might be commercial rodent block (in addition to the Henry's)... the Teklad or Mazuri. He might prefer those over the veggies you've tried.

[strdsk]

Thanks! he eats 3 blocks per day. Won;t eat anything leafy though.







While collard greens have a great Ca:P ratio, I believe they are high in oxalates... potatoes (white) are on the avoid list because of starch. So, everything in balance... and everything in moderation as grandpa used to say.

The pyramid also says somewhere that variety is the key.

Have you tried wild things like dandelion greens or apple twigs with the leaves?

Another option might be commercial rodent block (in addition to the Henry's)... the Teklad or Mazuri. He might prefer those over the veggies you've tried.

[Mel1959]

When you say he doesn’t like leafy greens have you tried baby kale, chicory, radicchio, escarole, store bought dandelion leaves, endive?

In the vegetable section there are packaged shredded salad kits that contain a mixture of assorted vegetables and a package of dressing and some type of salad topper, like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. I buy these sometimes, particularly the Asian Kale. I give my guy some of the conveniently already prepared veggies, I use the dressing and I share the toppers with him....in moderation. :grin2 There are a wide variety of veggies in these and it helps with the veggie boredom, I think.

[Diggie's Friend]

Immature small organic leaves are naturally low in oxalic acid, compared to mature leaves that are high. Arugula, chicory leaves, radicchio, escarole are among the leafy greens that are nil in oxalates. Kale is low to moderate, as is Bok choy. A source known as Japanese spinach mustard is highest in calcium content.

Even so, blanching (short term boiling) these greens for 90 sec. reduces the bitter taste and deactivates the Goitrogens contained in brassica and other leafy greens also. oxalic acid the calcium lowering anti nutrient found in higher levels in most leafy greens. Just don't boil them to where they begin to disintegrate.

With stalked green vegetables boiling about 15 min. Cauliflower is a favorite. Skinned and cut up boiled root vegetables like Parsnips, rutabagas, and carrots are also a good choice, the thinner you cut them the quicker they cook.

Sweet potato is high in oxalic acid, save it is boiled it would result in more calcium loss to the meal.

Baked butternut and acorn squashes are low in oxalates; these are very good sources as they are positive to near equal in Calcium to Phosphorus, and lower in sugars than sweet potatoes and yams are also. Storing squash portions in vacuum sealed for best preservation in the freezer. The fun part for these is you can use baby food silicone trays to fill them by measure so that they pop right out when you are ready to thaw them overnight in a covered plastic container. Then in the morning you can take out the container and let it warm up to room temperature before feeding the portion.

[strdsk]

Thanks so much on this wealth of information! Any thoughts on soft foods for variety? What about scrambled eggs, cheese, or baby foods? All a bad idea, huh? Thanks!!

[Mel1959]

You can try any of those items. You never know what they might like. Flying squirrels eat protein like eggs, cheese and chicken. My dwarf squirrel ate chicken and I always mixed his block with baby food and formula.

[strdsk]

Good to know not dangerous, thanks! I am going to post a pic soon of what he eats at breakfast , lunch and dinner to show my portions. Hoping not too much or little. They say that humans shouldn't eat any one meal larger than the size of their hand. An old military thing. Any fast rules of thumb like this for squirrels....for example a 1/2 cup of food for breakfast or carrot pieces no bigger than my finger? I'm unsure of his weight, but he may have gained a lil' since I first got him a few months back. Still pretty sleek looking, but the belly looks a bit puffy when he sits and I want to make sure not bloat. Keep in mind he jumps in cage throughout day and comes out for a few hours daily to play in his room. But no real long running to burn calories. Once hot weather hit, he began to shed hairs mostly belly...near bald. He also got really bitey since we started giving him antler to keep his teeth worn down. Again, hoping we're not under feeding a hungry squirrel but online info as to portion size is scant....

[Diggie's Friend]

Eggs are best poached or soft boiled to where the yolk begins to congeal, but has not turned color or become hard, with the white fully cooked which soft boiling and poaching supports. There are plastic cooking dishes for eggs that can be used to poach eggs in the microwave that makes is real simple to do; just let it cool longer than poaching egg in boiling water.

Egg white is the gold standard of protein. It is an excellent source to include every other day. Feed about 1/2 Tsp. total daily. When you put out the egg always include the egg white and yolk in a (2:1) proportion, as there is a natural negative compound in the white that is countered by another in the yolk.


Applesauce organic naturally sweetened (no sugars or artificial sugars added). 1/4 Tsp. daily into the yogurt may help overcome the aversion to this healthy food.

[strdsk]

Wow...you are really shooting pearls of wisdom here...and I thank-you! The last comment about applesauce into yogurt....do I mix the two you're saying? or did you not mean yogurt and meant yolk? I'm confused on that part....I'm sorry. So more egg white than yolk...2:1. Too much yolk is bad, but not enough yolk is bad too. Cause it helps the negative of the white. Got it!!!

















Eggs are best poached or soft boiled to where the yolk begins to congeal, but has not turned color or become hard, with the white fully cooked which soft boiling and poaching supports. There are plastic cooking dishes for eggs that can be used to poach eggs in the microwave that makes is real simple to do; just let it cool longer than poaching egg in boiling water.

Egg white is the gold standard of protein. It is an excellent source to include every other day. Feed about 1 to 1/2 Tsp. total daily. When you put out the egg always include the egg white and yolk in a (2:1) proportion, as there is a natural negative compound in the white that is countered by another in the yolk.


Applesauce organic naturally sweetened (no sugars or artificial sugars added). 1/4 Tsp. daily into the yogurt may help overcome the aversion to this healthy food.

[Diggie's Friend]

I meant the organic applesauce. Beyond making the yogurt more appealing taste wise, organic applesauce contains pectin that has been found in rats to lend greater support to the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream. Excess sugar though should be avoided in their diet, for too much causes calcium loss into the urine. Rodent block for rat and mice studies is not just for convenience, but for the continuity of results to support the greater body of studies towards using rodent models to mirror the diets of humans, in support of gaining knowledge as to how to improve and maintain human health. These diets used to support the need for convenient nutritional support of short term rehabilitation of tree squirrels back to the wild, when used as many rehabbers do, are sufficient.

To support these animals in captivity long term passed the age of release, Nutraceuticals (Pycnogenol, Organic Pumpkin Seed oil, Organic food grade Chia oil), concentrated nutrient sources akin to those in the wild, not included in rodent block diets, can help to fill in the gaps in their nutrition with sources that contain nutrients sources that are like that which their diet in the wild could otherwise provide.

Pycnogenol, (PYC) for example, is an extract of the cambium layer of the Maritime Pine from France; it has been studied over 50 years in over 100 studies. This source is particularly very high in polyphenols, having anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-aging properties which support the longevity of vital organs. It is also analgesic, found to work better than synthetic aspirin without the negative side effects that synthetic has. Rats were confirmed to have a high tolerance for this source, yet a minimum dose of 1 to 2 mg. daily. The longer a squirrel is on these sources the greater the potential for it's compounds to support the properties it has been found to promote in rodents.

https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Orgins-Pycnogenol-Capsules-Count/dp/B00CLYNA14/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Pycnogenol+healthy+origins+30+mg.+60+coun t&qid=1591419563&s=hpc&sr=1-4

These oils from Foods Alive organic Chia oil (food grade, for not all are) https://foodsalive.com/products/organic-chia-oil-foods-alive

and

Seed oil Company of Oregon (organic pumpkin seed oil)
https://www.seedoilcompany.com/pumpkin-seed-oil

sales@seedoilcompany.com Ask for 8 oz. small bottle, I did and they sent me one not shown on their webpage. Family run company.

Though even laboratory research journals have stated that there is no perfect diet for rats and mice (ground rodents; the closer a diet is to supply the nutrients that the natural wild diets supply for tree squirrels, the better!

[Lighten-Up]

I too have had ongoing issues with squirrels eating their leafy greens. I find rotating a mix helps, it is like shopping full time for a squirrel. Somewhere I read that once you offer a food to not offer that for three days to help keep it interesting. But even doing that, does not guarantee they'll eat it. So I too will offer the things it likes daily just to keep it eating. I have found fresh tree twigs to be good, they like to pick off the fresh little buds and eat them. And mine like dandelion from the garden and lambs quarters weed, he loves that, but I think it's high in oxalates so I limit it. Make sure no chemicals have been used on the yard if giving yard greens.

Mine too worships nuts and fruit. And both of them have to be given in small amounts.

Note, I had heard somewhere that Henry's Healthy Blocks are essential, but only 1-2 a day, because they are packed with vitamins and minerals to keep MBD away, they are not meant to be a staple. I'm not saying 3 is bad, I don't know.

When I understood that common rat block is a staple food, I got Envigo/Teklad 2018 to supplement my guys 2 HHB's a day. I'll say this, he wouldn't eat them. So this was my food adventure with Corwynn. He would take the Teklad blocks and stash them or bury them in the RC dirt, but not eat them. So after a week of this, I put almond butter on the outside. He licked it all off, leaving the block. So next I crushed the block into a powder/crumble mix and then mixed in just enough almond butter to make it appealing I didn't over do it because it is a nut. This mix comes out like a dry cereal crumble. There is much more of the Teklad block than there is almond butter. My method has been that I give one HHB first thing in the morning and then some fruit and veggies. Mid to late morning I bring him a small dish of the crumbled Teklad block. He loves it, and eats it all. He then gets yard twigs to forage and chew, and near end of day another HHB which he always wants, maybe more fruit and veggies and then some nuts, not many. I give him a little less nuts because of getting the almond butter to make the Teklad go down.

I welcome anyones thoughts as to if my making Teklad blocks palatable for a squirrel with some almond butter is acceptable. I've dubbed these things "Corwynn Crumbles".

They have helped me feel that he is getting a measure of food to sustain him until he's out in the wild, when I struggled to get him to eat lots of veggies. Note also that though he refused formula and weaned himself weeks ago, if I offer formula for a few days and then not for a few days, he loves it. So that is one more thing he eats. Hope that helps, I do understand the issues of getting squirrels to eat what they should.

[strdsk]

Thanks for all of this info! Ok...so here are three pics of what my guy eats per day. Three blocks at sunrise, second pic is lunch, third pic dinner, PLUS he gets one or two nuts/treats/fruit pieces per day. Over feeding? Not enough? Please be gentle on me...I'm trying my best and want what's right for him. Thanks!!

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[Newbiewnc]

Wow lots of good information shared here. Helpful to me as well. Thanks for the information on eggs and chicken. I have a 14/16 week female gray. She seems to like dandelion, plantain weed, apple leaves, redbud and rain tree leaves and maple. I try to pick tiny tender buds and leaves off the trees. She also loves dogwood middles. Like not the petals but the middle part. Greens are tricky for her but she does best with wild stuff I forage for her. I keel mixed greens in the fridge for days I can’t forage. She likes clover blooms, dandelion flowers and petals off my impatience. Also she’ll eat snap peas, asparagus, avocado, butternut, broccoli, sweet potatoes, radishes, and most any fruit. Greens are the hardest but I kinda just take comfort in feeding her two HHB per day, organic yogurt in the morning and a variety of fresh produce every day. I have to dice it to get her to eat veg so maybe try that. She like to be able to hold it.
It sounds like you’re taking great care and if you have a happy healthy active squirrel then I’d say good job!

[strdsk]

The supplements you recommend below in links....how do I administer them in proper dosages for a squirrel? Thanks!!!





I meant the organic applesauce. Beyond making the yogurt more appealing taste wise, organic applesauce contains pectin that has been found in rats to lend greater support to the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream. Excess sugar though should be avoided in their diet, for too much causes calcium loss into the urine. Rodent block for rat and mice studies is not just for convenience, but for the continuity of results to support the greater body of studies towards using rodent models to mirror the diets of humans, in support of gaining knowledge as to how to improve and maintain human health. These diets used to support the need for convenient nutritional support of short term rehabilitation of tree squirrels back to the wild, when used as many rehabbers do, are sufficient.

To support these animals in captivity long term passed the age of release, Nutraceuticals (Pycnogenol, Organic Pumpkin Seed oil, Organic food grade Chia oil), concentrated nutrient sources akin to those in the wild, not included in rodent block diets, can help to fill in the gaps in their nutrition with sources that contain nutrients sources that are like that which their diet in the wild could otherwise provide.

Pycnogenol, (PYC) for example, is an extract of the cambium layer of the Maritime Pine from France; it has been studied over 50 years in over 100 studies. This source is particularly very high in polyphenols, having anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-aging properties which support the longevity of vital organs. It is also analgesic, found to work better than synthetic aspirin without the negative side effects that synthetic has. Rats were confirmed to have a high tolerance for this source, yet a minimum dose of 1 to 2 mg. daily. The longer a squirrel is on these sources the greater the potential for it's compounds to support the properties it has been found to promote in rodents.

https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Orgins-Pycnogenol-Capsules-Count/dp/B00CLYNA14/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Pycnogenol+healthy+origins+30+mg.+60+coun t&qid=1591419563&s=hpc&sr=1-4

These oils from Foods Alive organic Chia oil (food grade, for not all are) https://foodsalive.com/products/organic-chia-oil-foods-alive

and

Seed oil Company of Oregon (organic pumpkin seed oil)
https://www.seedoilcompany.com/pumpkin-seed-oil

sales@seedoilcompany.com Ask for 8 oz. small bottle, I did and they sent me one not shown on their webpage. Family run company.

Though even laboratory research journals have stated that there is no perfect diet for rats and mice (ground rodents; the closer a diet is to supply the nutrients that the natural wild diets supply for tree squirrels, the better!

[Diggie's Friend]

Sure enough.

Pycnogenol from 30 mg. capsule include 1/16 of a capsule in the food daily.

Chia Oil include 1/32 Tsp. split to 1/64 tsp. in both the AM and PM meal. Because this is cold pressed straining out the residue from the seed left in the product is needful.

From Seed oil Co of Oregon, not a carrier oil, include the same measures daily as noted for the Chia oil.
Should you find your squirrel prefers one oil over the other then add the split portion of both to the AM and PM meals.

If you squirrel really loves the oil taste of one of this, try putting it on a food they have begun to refuse.

As for variety as far as the Brassica veggies, that is an allusion, for they have been found to be bred from the same source, the Mustard Plant. The variety they have is just from what part of the plant and what particular genetics that part has. Interestingly, cauliflower and broccoli forests are the flower part of this plant. Squirrels in the wild consume the flowers and bud portions mostly, with very little of the leaves save during the juvenile stage of life. Adults in the wild have learned which foods are best by the time they reach adulthood. All the same these aren the plants that tree squirrels consume in the wild according to mammalogy research as they ignore the mustard plant as it is bitter.

All the tree squirrels species have been observed licking tree sap. They actually ae able to get some calcium from this source in the spring, which is higher in calcium than phosphorus. The only drawback is that since it is very high in potassium,only about 1/4 Tsp. can be added to the diet daily, otherwise the stool may loosen. Such sources are available on Amazon.com, not all are good, or taste good; much depends on the processing.

https://www.sciencealert.com/these-6-common-vegetables-are-actually-all-the-same-plant-species


Here is one source of the mini measuring Teaspoons you will need to measure the oils. This brand has the Tsp. amounts noted, most do not.

https://www.amazon.com/Morgenhaan-Stainless-Mini-Measuring-Spoons/dp/B085LHRX4D/ref=sr_1_63?dchild=1&keywords=miniature+measuring+teaspoons&qid=1591746419&s=kitchen&sr=1-63

Also wire tea strainer to use to boil and blanch leafy greens and vegetables, makes the task a zip. This isn't the only source for wire tea strainers just the cheapest one it appears.

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Infuser-Squeeze-Strainer-zsjhtc/dp/B07DFDDM86/ref=sr_1_143?dchild=1&keywords=wire+spring+tea+infuser&qid=1591746884&sr=8-143

This file is the one I forgot to include in my previous post. It shows how much calcium in boiled broccoli.

[strdsk]

What about feeding them tofu? I've read mixed feelings on that. Also, can you give me a rough idea of how many cups of food per day in total one should eat between three meals daily? Thanks!!!!!








Sure enough.

Pycnogenol from 30 mg. capsule include 1/16 of a capsule in the food daily.

Chia Oil include 1/32 Tsp. split to 1/64 tsp. in both the AM and PM meal. Because this is cold pressed straining out the residue from the seed left in the product is needful.

From Seed oil Co of Oregon, not a carrier oil, include the same measures daily as noted for the Chia oil.
Should you find your squirrel prefers one oil over the other then add the split portion of both to the AM and PM meals.

If you squirrel really loves the oil taste of one of this, try putting it on a food they have begun to refuse.

As for variety as far as the Brassica veggies, that is an allusion, for they have been found to be bred from the same source, the Mustard Plant. The variety they have is just from what part of the plant and what particular genetics that part has. Interestingly, cauliflower and broccoli forests are the flower part of this plant. Squirrels in the wild consume the flowers and bud portions mostly, with very little of the leaves save during the juvenile stage of life. Adults in the wild have learned which foods are best by the time they reach adulthood. All the same these aren the plants that tree squirrels consume in the wild according to mammalogy research as they ignore the mustard plant as it is bitter.

All the tree squirrels species have been observed licking tree sap. They actually ae able to get some calcium from this source in the spring, which is higher in calcium than phosphorus. The only drawback is that since it is very high in potassium,only about 1/4 Tsp. can be added to the diet daily, otherwise the stool may loosen. Such sources are available on Amazon.com, not all are good, or taste good; much depends on the processing.

https://www.sciencealert.com/these-6-common-vegetables-are-actually-all-the-same-plant-species


Here is one source of the mini measuring Teaspoons you will need to measure the oils. This brand has the Tsp. amounts noted, most do not.

https://www.amazon.com/Morgenhaan-Stainless-Mini-Measuring-Spoons/dp/B085LHRX4D/ref=sr_1_63?dchild=1&keywords=miniature+measuring+teaspoons&qid=1591746419&s=kitchen&sr=1-63

Also wire tea strainer to use to boil and blanch leafy greens and vegetables, makes the task a zip. This isn't the only source for wire tea strainers just the cheapest one it appears.

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Infuser-Squeeze-Strainer-zsjhtc/dp/B07DFDDM86/ref=sr_1_143?dchild=1&keywords=wire+spring+tea+infuser&qid=1591746884&sr=8-143

This file is the one I forgot to include in my previous post. It shows how much calcium in boiled broccoli.

[tgramsey]

I've wondered about tofu myself -- as well as soy, coconut, or almond yogurt. Anything but dairy.

[Diggie's Friend]

There are rodent block-pellet diets that contain soy which have been found to be useful in rehabbing and long term care. Yet though soy has some healthy properties, it also has some negative ones; kind of a double edged sword health wise. There is also HHB block diet that doesn't contain corn or soy; they offer various options.

Most squirrels will consume rodent block, the most convenient source of protein, macro-minerals and other nutrients needed to support the nutritional needs of tree squirrels cared for in captivity; yet they aren't a fermented soy source it as tofu is. I'm no expert on tofu that has many versions, some noted to be fortified with minerals and some that are not; yet tofu by itself isn't sufficient to support the nutritional requirements of tree squirrels cared for in captivity.
.

[island rehabber]

What about feeding them tofu? I've read mixed feelings on that. Also, can you give me a rough idea of how many cups of food per day in total one should eat between three meals daily? Thanks!!!!!

I personally don't think anything soy-related is good for squirrels. As far as volume, I typically give two 1" x 1" squares of whatever vegetable per squirrel, per feeding. Rodent block, however, can be left in the bowl at all times the way you leave dry food out for cats. In the case of Henry's Healthy blocks, which are more a supplement than a staple food, you need to limit them to two per day for grey squirrels, 3 per day for fox squirrels.

[strdsk]

Gotya....I'll leave the soy out. I am, however, giving my guy much more food than two 1x1 squares of food per feeding. Maybe I should ease back a bit on that. Please see pic of what I give him for dinner ALONE. Lunch is near as much, too. I do use Henry's blocks daily, but give him three. He's from Illinois and can pass as either type of squirrel....hard to tell. Here's his pic. Based on type of squirrel he is, you think I'm giving him too much block though, huh? Thanks!!!

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I personally don't think anything soy-related is good for squirrels. As far as volume, I typically give two 1" x 1" squares of whatever vegetable per squirrel, per feeding. Rodent block, however, can be left in the bowl at all times the way you leave dry food out for cats. In the case of Henry's Healthy blocks, which are more a supplement than a staple food, you need to limit them to two per day for grey squirrels, 3 per day for fox squirrels.

[Mel1959]

What is obviously missing from your pictures is leafy green veggies. There are a lot of choices for leafy greens in the nutrition section and you should really try to get your guy to eat some. Maybe you could place them in the cage after the morning HHB with no other veggies and see if he’ll eat them.

In the refrigerator salad section of the grocery store there are bags of chopped salads that contain a dressing and topping. The one I buy is called Sweet Kale salad. It includes chopped broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, chicory. Then in a separate bag inside is dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and poppy seed dressing. I like to use this type of mix because there’s a wide variety of acceptable veggies already cut up. You can even offer the pumpkin seeds or dried cranberries very sparingly as a treat.

The Corwyn Crumbles sounds like a good idea and an alternative to boo balls. Peanut butter could also be used in place of almond butter although not as healthy for them.

[strdsk]

Thanks for this info! He has always refused leaves, until recently. Hope he sticks with eating them. Had to blanche some to get him to eat. What did you think about the lunch and dinner portion sizes I feed him, though? Too much or little? Thanks!!!!






What is obviously missing from your pictures is leafy green veggies. There are a lot of choices for leafy greens in the nutrition section and you should really try to get your guy to eat some. Maybe you could place them in the cage after the morning HHB with no other veggies and see if he’ll eat them.

In the refrigerator salad section of the grocery store there are bags of chopped salads that contain a dressing and topping. The one I buy is called Sweet Kale salad. It includes chopped broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, chicory. Then in a separate bag inside is dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and poppy seed dressing. I like to use this type of mix because there’s a wide variety of acceptable veggies already cut up. You can even offer the pumpkin seeds or dried cranberries very sparingly as a treat.

The Corwyn Crumbles sounds like a good idea and an alternative to boo balls. Peanut butter could also be used in place of almond butter although not as healthy for them.

[Mel1959]

Does he eat all of it? I usually feed a lot and end up throwing out quite a bit, too. :tap. If he eats it all then that’s great and you may want to offer more. Most squirrels love sugar snap peas, too.

[strdsk]

Oh he eats all of it alright lol! And yes....he'd eat more. It won;t cause bloat? Thanks!





Does he eat all of it? I usually feed a lot and end up throwing out quite a bit, too. :tap. If he eats it all then that’s great and you may want to offer more. Most squirrels love sugar snap peas, too.

[Mel1959]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of bloat in an older squirrel.

Folks, do older squirrels that are eating solids bloat???

[island rehabber]

not to my knowledge, no.

[strdsk]

A relief to know!




not to my knowledge, no.

[Diggie's Friend]

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?64801-Conflicting-diet-data-here-on-the-board-questions&p=1316708#post1316708

Just want to let you know that this post you quoted was one i put on your thread by mistake; it was actually meant for another thread on the diet of nocturnal flying squirrels. I put it on when I was really exhausted and lost focus for a moment. I've requested my original post be removed from your thread and the quote you put up also, I hope that is ok? Thank you for your understanding.

I also requested the longer post with the links be removed the other day, for at the time I put it on I thought I hadn't already answered, when I had, making that post duplicate information.

My apologies to all concerned for these mistakes, it was not my intention to hog the thread. DF


ps. The info on the eggs is correct, save for the higher amount of 1 Tsp. is appropriate for flyers due to their higher metabolic rate and more carnivorous bent. The lower amount of 1/2 Tsp. is better for grays because this source though highly nutritious is rather fattening.

[strdsk]

So aside from your egg info chicken, yogurt, and applesauce is out then for greys and fox squirrels? Also, your blanched greens and greens info in general AND pumpkin seed oil info still holds true then or not so much? Just want to clarify as I've already begun to follow some of your dietary recommendations. Sorry and Thanks!!






https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?64801-Conflicting-diet-data-here-on-the-board-questions&p=1316708#post1316708

Just want to let you know that this post you quoted was one i put on your thread by mistake; it was actually meant for another thread on the diet of nocturnal flying squirrels. I put it on when I was really exhausted and lost focus for a moment. I've requested my original post be removed from your thread and the quote you put up also, I hope that is ok? Thank you for your understanding.

I also requested the longer post with the links be removed the other day, for at the time I put it on I thought I hadn't already answered, when I had, making that post duplicate information.

My apologies to all concerned for these mistakes, it was not my intention to hog the thread. DF


ps. The info on the eggs is correct, save for the higher amount of 1 Tsp. is appropriate for flyers due to their higher metabolic rate and more carnivorous bent. The lower amount of 1/2 Tsp. is better for grays because this source though highly nutritious is rather fattening.

[Diggie's Friend]

The applesauce is fine. Yogurt also is both a good source of protein low fat for adults, and plain not sweetened as excess sugar in the diet also promotes calcium loss to increase. All the info i shared prior, save that I corrected on that one misplaced post is what I recommend. These same sources i listed have been included in the diet of a gray squirrel research diet for a number of years; the squirrel now 11 accepts the food and has maintained a good weight and activity level during this time.

In the wild the consumption of birds by both fox and gray squirrels is low compared to that of Red and flying squirrels. In the larger N. A. Tree squirrels bird predation is more often seen in the mother squirrels that require higher protein intake to support the gestation of their young.

In captivity, no harm feeding boiled chicken once in awhile, especially in the fall months when squirrels normally consume allot of nuts that they aren't given in captivity, a bit of boiled chicken is a nice treat.

Animal protein in excess in the diet lends to calcium lost. With the block providing most of the protein squirrels need, feeding this source infrequently is advisable as not overfeed protein.

[Yodalorian]

Hello, I am actually having the same problem with Idgit my 10 year old, I just recently switched him to the picky blocks, and he is really only interested in those, and hazelnuts, I have found that feeding 1 whole block first thing in the morning, then a second at night, from the people I have spoken with 2 blocks was what was always recomended (take this for granted as Idgit is on the lighter side and is older for a squirrel he weighs around 375g) It might take a few days to get the little one to eat it all in one setting and plan to sit there every morning cause if yours is anything like mine he tries to pick what he likes out of it haha,(you can microwave it for 5-7 seconds but never to the point of it being hot, just enough to warm up and release its smell makes it much more enticing trick, another that I use sine he take a few minutes to eat the whole thing is to give in small pieces and hold the rest in your hand like you would crush a snow ball(obviously not that hard lol), as it heats up it will begin to crumble, then just hold out your hand(I know Idgit and have been wrong about his behavior twice since his maturity when it came to food/territorial displays and I paid for it so please know and respect that yours might try to eat your hand at first and its the most horrible thing to witness and experience but completely natural (if a bit demonic and incredibly intimidating for their size) so just be prepared if that is what you do, as this is a personal choice and risk I take to ensure my little buddy eats what he is supposed to and not try to bury/discrete drop it to get it more fresh, but maybe not, mine is just a butt with shelled nuts, the blocks, and strangely the crickets and moths native here in CO) anything else I can practically reach in his mouth and he will stop chewing so he won't hurt me lol and all I am usually left with is literal crumbs.(Pretending to eat them helped as well as he got all sorts of jealous) I then find Idgit to be much hungrier, say if his block is a 6 in the morning, then around 9 am he will finally eat a little bit of lettuce, cucumber (still working on cauliflower and broccoli but he sticks with his favorites), then repeat around 12 and depending on how big yours is, adjust for the block count , I know someone on here can fill that in or you can contact Henry's Pets as they are the ones who gave me my initial advice before I joined this site. Also some mango and tomato. If I am incorrect about ANY of this, beat me with a smart stick please, as I appreciate any and all info and just want to pass on the correct things and need to be called out on anything I may have misunderstood, or just got plain wrong. I did just want to throw out their what I am doing and maybe something will help someone else with their little Idgits.
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Belly rub after lunch is what makes the world go round. Take care all😁



I too have had ongoing issues with squirrels eating their leafy greens. I find rotating a mix helps, it is like shopping full time for a squirrel. Somewhere I read that once you offer a food to not offer that for three days to help keep it interesting. But even doing that, does not guarantee they'll eat it. So I too will offer the things it likes daily just to keep it eating. I have found fresh tree twigs to be good, they like to pick off the fresh little buds and eat them. And mine like dandelion from the garden and lambs quarters weed, he loves that, but I think it's high in oxalates so I limit it. Make sure no chemicals have been used on the yard if giving yard greens.

Mine too worships nuts and fruit. And both of them have to be given in small amounts.

Note, I had heard somewhere that Henry's Healthy Blocks are essential, but only 1-2 a day, because they are packed with vitamins and minerals to keep MBD away, they are not meant to be a staple. I'm not saying 3 is bad, I don't know.

When I understood that common rat block is a staple food, I got Envigo/Teklad 2018 to supplement my guys 2 HHB's a day. I'll say this, he wouldn't eat them. So this was my food adventure with Corwynn. He would take the Teklad blocks and stash them or bury them in the RC dirt, but not eat them. So after a week of this, I put almond butter on the outside. He licked it all off, leaving the block. So next I crushed the block into a powder/crumble mix and then mixed in just enough almond butter to make it appealing I didn't over do it because it is a nut. This mix comes out like a dry cereal crumble. There is much more of the Teklad block than there is almond butter. My method has been that I give one HHB first thing in the morning and then some fruit and veggies. Mid to late morning I bring him a small dish of the crumbled Teklad block. He loves it, and eats it all. He then gets yard twigs to forage and chew, and near end of day another HHB which he always wants, maybe more fruit and veggies and then some nuts, not many. I give him a little less nuts because of getting the almond butter to make the Teklad go down.

I welcome anyones thoughts as to if my making Teklad blocks palatable for a squirrel with some almond butter is acceptable. I've dubbed these things "Corwynn Crumbles".

They have helped me feel that he is getting a measure of food to sustain him until he's out in the wild, when I struggled to get him to eat lots of veggies. Note also that though he refused formula and weaned himself weeks ago, if I offer formula for a few days and then not for a few days, he loves it. So that is one more thing he eats. Hope that helps, I do understand the issues of getting squirrels to eat what they should.