Unexpected squirrel mama

[hannah_squiz]

So my partner is a tree surgeon on found little Squiz on Monday. Her nest was destroyed and unfortunately mamma didn’t come to get her before he left the job site so she had to come along. Very sadly in the UK grey squirrels are classed as vermin so it is illegal to release them and you are expected to ‘dispatch of them humanely’. Due to this there are no rescues anywhere that I can find that are willing to take her.

I’ve never raised an orphaned rodent baby, only kittens, so I’m new to this game.

She’s doing well so far. She is around 4 weeks old. Her eyes opened on Wednesday, she has bottom incisors but no top ones yet. She’s being fed lactolol puppy milk at 5% of her body weight (she’s 130 grams and gets 6-7 cc) pooping and weeing fine. She’s very inquisitive and energetic!

I do have a couple of questions-
1) There is no clear advice on how often to feed her and if she definitely needs a night feed. I’ve been giving her one every 4-5 hours the last two days including through the night.

2) Advice on releasing her- it’s illegal here but I really don’t want to have to keep her in captivity when she’s not meant to be. I live in an area with a squirrel population in the local cemetery so was hoping she’d be able to go there. What’s the best age for her to go at?

3) what kind of cage should she be in when she gets bigger. She’s been in a cat carrier with a fleece blanket and heat pad but is getting too lively to stay in there, so have acquired a hamster cage for the time being but realise she’ll need something bigger soon. Is a rat cage suitable? And what kind of things will she need in it?

4) When will should I start weaning and what’s the best way to do it?

Any other advice would be hugely appreciated!!

Thanks 😊

[Mel1959]

Thank you for helping her. :Love_Icon. I’ll try to address some of your concerns.

1) At her age she doesn’t need fed at night. Feed her 4-5 times a day. At this stage you need to introduce a rodent block. Like this https://www.chewy.com/mazuri-mouse-rat-food/dp/124758?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=f&utm_content=Mazuri&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjwg4-EBhBwEiwAzYAlskoMNkpo_WgzLfKCB_YnpvV-lVymIRJEzWtUd4S-KRiOMWCTz3fRIBoCfREQAvD_BwE or this https://www.amazon.com/Envigo-Formerly-Harlan-Teklad-GROWTH/dp/B00N0EPSLO/ref=asc_df_B00N0EPSLO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309733617591&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8017564219880085729&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011838&hvtargid=pla-569160424734&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=64417512231&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309733617591&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8017564219880085729&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011838&hvtargid=pla-569160424734
The block is very important to their overall health when they wean off formula. They should be eating it well before you introduce any veggies or fruits. Here’s the link for the squirrel diet when the time comes. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

2) we don’t wean them, we let them decide when they want to wean. On average it’s around 12 weeks of age. Some will continue to drink formula from a bowl when they’ll no longer take it from a syringe. Formula provides them all the necessary nutrients and is your best protection from them developing MBD.

3) it’s best to not release until 16-18 weeks old. Especially for single babies. Releasing in the cemetery would require a hard release. We typically like to do a soft release where the squirrel has a chance to adapt to live outside gradually by being placed in an outside cage for 2-3 weeks. I realize this may not be possible for you, but here’s the info on the soft release process. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?41071-SOFT-RELEASE-The-How-to-Sticky

4) most folks provide a cage that is roughly 3’ wide x 2’ deep and as tall as possible. This is a popular brand in the US. https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Critter-162-leak-Proof-Measures/dp/B001NJ0DAY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwg4-EBhBwEiwAzYAlsvpEUgqf5BINo-pfwdwI41AUe-9MR3u4BGic_ZJch6xlNnaKvTEEnxoC-5wQAvD_BwE&hvadid=178363737317&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9011838&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9905035307943665919&hvtargid=kwd-11946355113&hydadcr=17073_9872470&keywords=critter+nation+cage&qid=1619266395&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySEVDMjJIV1lWUVpMJ mVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDU0NDAyMjUwQVE3RTlIREEyVyZlbmN yeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDU3NTQ1MTVVRExSMlBWV1lHUiZ3aWRnZ XROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05 vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Secure some sturdy tree limbs inside the cage by using flat washers and screws to secure the limbs to the sides of the cage so they don’t fall. You can provide a nest box or fleece cube hung for her to sleep in. Something like this. https://www.etsy.com/listing/634674960/custom-cube-choose-your-size-and-colors?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-pet_supplies-pet_furniture-pet_beds_and_cots&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwg4-EBhBwEiwAzYAlsqmWkSm1TgrLj4rSMJB6F-rmrd0Md74aixifJQZYL9lTkUr8PgT3YRoCq9MQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12573360659_120353254780_5077992110 04_pla-354337734605_c__634674960_115470626&utm_custom2=12573360659&gclid=CjwKCAjwg4-EBhBwEiwAzYAlsqmWkSm1TgrLj4rSMJB6F-rmrd0Md74aixifJQZYL9lTkUr8PgT3YRoCq9MQAvD_BwE

As she gets bigger she will undoubtedly want more than 5% of formula. It’s okay to give more as long as it’s done gradually. Too quick of an increase will result in loose stool. You should provide a water bottle when you introduce the block.

I hope I’ve answered your questions. If you have any more please don’t hesitate to ask. Enjoy your squirrel journey....it’s magical. :Love_Icon

[hannah_squiz]

That’s amazing thank you!!

There’s someone at a local rescue that has said there’s another female squirrel baby that she is going to release so I’m hoping we can put them together before then so they can be together. It’s such an awful situation for them in the UK.

Will putting her in the garden in her enclosure be suitable to get her used to the outside before she’s released? I’m planning on leaving food for her everyday when she does go just incase she needs some help:glomp

[Mel1959]

Yes, supporting them after release is ideal.

I will warn you, though, if you want to put this baby with another baby it should be done before they are about 7-8 weeks old. This way they will bond, if they are too old when introduced, there may be aggression. Having a sibling (buddy) is always best.

[hannah_squiz]

This other baby is only 5 weeks old so similar age. I'm hoping to get her soon and can raise them together.

[Mel1959]

:great

[Rock Monkey]

Regarding feeding frequency over time you may find the charts in this link handy.

https://www.squirrelrefuge.org/squirrel-feeding-amounts

Thanks for helping the little ones. It will be a very rewarding experience, though there will be some challenges.