finetoons
11-02-2007, 09:24 PM
...After They've Seen Paree?
I have two late summer babies about 11 weeks old now who are thriving, thanks to all you folks. I keep them in a cage (with a nesting box) on my screened-in porch. I let them out to run around the porch for several hours a day. Today the female figured out the doggie door (that was locked and blocked) and had a taste of real freedom for a while. Then she knew it was feeding time and came back.
I hate to keep them cooped up in the cage all the time (it's only 4'x3'x2'), but if I give them full reign of the porch, they could figure out the doggie door again and be out on the town (actually, just out in the nicely wooded backyard).
I'm told by a local rehabber that this is a soft release and is the most ideal situation for these guys. I tend to agree. I think they'd be happy with a choice to go outside, learn the lay of the land, and then they would know where to come to get food, shelter and a good night's rest. Or am I giving them too much credit?
They are pretty much weaned. They can crack nuts...from almonds to filberts, acorns, and the mother of all nuts, walnuts. They hate the monkey and rodent blocks (typical adolescents). They get a better variety of vegetables than my kids.
What do you guys think? Would you keep them couped up all the time in a small cage through the winter, or would you give them more playing room and the potential opportunity for independence (as if they could override instinct...lol).
I'm interested in all opinions.
I have two late summer babies about 11 weeks old now who are thriving, thanks to all you folks. I keep them in a cage (with a nesting box) on my screened-in porch. I let them out to run around the porch for several hours a day. Today the female figured out the doggie door (that was locked and blocked) and had a taste of real freedom for a while. Then she knew it was feeding time and came back.
I hate to keep them cooped up in the cage all the time (it's only 4'x3'x2'), but if I give them full reign of the porch, they could figure out the doggie door again and be out on the town (actually, just out in the nicely wooded backyard).
I'm told by a local rehabber that this is a soft release and is the most ideal situation for these guys. I tend to agree. I think they'd be happy with a choice to go outside, learn the lay of the land, and then they would know where to come to get food, shelter and a good night's rest. Or am I giving them too much credit?
They are pretty much weaned. They can crack nuts...from almonds to filberts, acorns, and the mother of all nuts, walnuts. They hate the monkey and rodent blocks (typical adolescents). They get a better variety of vegetables than my kids.
What do you guys think? Would you keep them couped up all the time in a small cage through the winter, or would you give them more playing room and the potential opportunity for independence (as if they could override instinct...lol).
I'm interested in all opinions.