semensinger
05-27-2023, 10:47 AM
Hello all,
I have several questions for the group as to how to move toward transitioning toward release. I have read numerous articles/posts ect. that explain moving them to an outside environment but still protected so they can learn their surroundings, avoid human contact during this time... My questions are related to where we are now and getting to this point.
If you have not seen my intro here are our stats- live in rural central PA, the hoard was found 4/1 guessing their age to be 3-4 weeks (pics in my profile) putting them at 11-12 weeks today. They current live on my sun porch. Yes, they "own" the sun porch. There is not a cage large enough for 7 juvenile squirrels LOL.
They have built a nest inside their box, hiding food EVERYWHERE, they have branches and logs to chew on and now pine cones.
Here are the basics in their current care routine.
**The do have access to a rodent block but they really don't care much for them.
**The are eating or have been offered the following: kale, spinach, mix baby lettuce, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, snap peas, green/red peppers, zucchini, strawberries, blueberries, apple; Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, sunflower seed, pumpkin seeds. And this week they learned what pine cones are..... what a mess!
**They do drink water from a bowl. Can not be 100% positive they are all doing this. I know how to check skin turgor for hydration, they have been good.
**Formula: we are all over the place with this. They are offered formula once a day (morning) after they have been given fresh veggies, nuts, fruit. Some times they take 30+ mls other times they take 10. Some will not take formula at all when offered, the next day they all do. This is the one subject I need help with. They are getting Esbilac puppy. I know this is not recommended! I started to transition them to Fox Valley 20/50 when we got to 75/25(Fox Valley/Esbilac) some had "full" bellies. I felt it was much more bubbly when mixed then Esbilac so we stayed with Esbilac and they have done fine. Not to mention the second bag of Fox Valley I bought had dead bugs in it :/
Exotic Nutrition states formula twice a day at 9-10 weeks, CAN release at 12 weeks. Henry's states formula 14-16 weeks and release at 6months. When a company selling a produce makes a recommendation, I take into consideration the possible motivation behind it. This is why I would appreciate input from the board please!!
I have several questions for the group as to how to move toward transitioning toward release. I have read numerous articles/posts ect. that explain moving them to an outside environment but still protected so they can learn their surroundings, avoid human contact during this time... My questions are related to where we are now and getting to this point.
If you have not seen my intro here are our stats- live in rural central PA, the hoard was found 4/1 guessing their age to be 3-4 weeks (pics in my profile) putting them at 11-12 weeks today. They current live on my sun porch. Yes, they "own" the sun porch. There is not a cage large enough for 7 juvenile squirrels LOL.
They have built a nest inside their box, hiding food EVERYWHERE, they have branches and logs to chew on and now pine cones.
Here are the basics in their current care routine.
**The do have access to a rodent block but they really don't care much for them.
**The are eating or have been offered the following: kale, spinach, mix baby lettuce, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, snap peas, green/red peppers, zucchini, strawberries, blueberries, apple; Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, sunflower seed, pumpkin seeds. And this week they learned what pine cones are..... what a mess!
**They do drink water from a bowl. Can not be 100% positive they are all doing this. I know how to check skin turgor for hydration, they have been good.
**Formula: we are all over the place with this. They are offered formula once a day (morning) after they have been given fresh veggies, nuts, fruit. Some times they take 30+ mls other times they take 10. Some will not take formula at all when offered, the next day they all do. This is the one subject I need help with. They are getting Esbilac puppy. I know this is not recommended! I started to transition them to Fox Valley 20/50 when we got to 75/25(Fox Valley/Esbilac) some had "full" bellies. I felt it was much more bubbly when mixed then Esbilac so we stayed with Esbilac and they have done fine. Not to mention the second bag of Fox Valley I bought had dead bugs in it :/
Exotic Nutrition states formula twice a day at 9-10 weeks, CAN release at 12 weeks. Henry's states formula 14-16 weeks and release at 6months. When a company selling a produce makes a recommendation, I take into consideration the possible motivation behind it. This is why I would appreciate input from the board please!!