Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
I just had my boys pick up acorns yesterday for my flyers, I have washed them and none floated. Now I am concerned to feed them to my babies. They were on the ground probably a month but I check a few for the color inside they look fine. I have not feed them any yet, should I crack each one before I feed them or just throw them back out? Acorns are their favorite treat but they can learn to love almonds or hazel nuts.
So sorry for your loss Uni :grouphug
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
bamababies...you know how the panic gets when something horrible like this happens...I'm not sure what to tell you. I've heard to float them (that's what I did), I've heard to ONLY get them off of the trees, not after they fall to the ground, I've heard to freeze them, I've heard to only feed them when they're fresh and "in season" b/c they are seasonal, and last night I heard to bake them before you freeze them.
Apparently, from what I understand researching, mycotoxins are the waste product (poop) of the mold once it gets to a certain point. There is no treatment for it. Other than that, I suppose the decision is up to you. I have GALLONS of the large Burberry acorns frozen that I took directly off of the trees, but I still haven't decided whether to trash them or feed them or bake them or what...I do normally end up erring on the side of caution...better "no harm, no foul" than "hind sight is 20/20" IMO.
OH and also, I'm concerned with the fact that you can't kill the actual toxin. Will baking it actually remove the toxicity?!? I'm not thinking so, but it's a good question for one of the microbiologists/biologists.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Unikorngrrl
bamababies...you know how the panic gets when something horrible like this happens...I'm not sure what to tell you. I've heard to float them (that's what I did), I've heard to ONLY get them off of the trees, not after they fall to the ground, I've heard to freeze them, I've heard to only feed them when they're fresh and "in season" b/c they are seasonal, and last night I heard to bake them before you freeze them.
Apparently, from what I understand researching, mycotoxins are the waste product (poop) of the mold once it gets to a certain point. There is no treatment for it. Other than that, I suppose the decision is up to you. I have GALLONS of the large Burberry acorns frozen that I took directly off of the trees, but I still haven't decided whether to trash them or feed them or bake them or what...I do normally end up erring on the side of caution...better "no harm, no foul" than "hind sight is 20/20" IMO.
OH and also, I'm concerned with the fact that you can't kill the actual toxin. Will baking it actually remove the toxicity?!? I'm not thinking so, but it's a good question for one of the microbiologists/biologists.
I can answer that last part - no, baking won't kill the toxin. It is why you still sometimes hear about problems in peanut butter with humans - it is made from dry roasted peanuts but if the aflatoxin is present, the roasting doesn't matter. In my opinion, acorns have gotten as close to the "do not feed" list as they can get. All of my guys are meh on them anyway.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
I think it would be best for the babies then to toss the acorns, I would rather be safe than sorry. :Love_Icon
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
I collect acorns every year and I do float them, then I dry them on cookie sheets in the sun or on the counter, then I freeze them. I noticed that several of you say you also float them. From my research the floaters are the bad ones. The floaters have a hole somewhere and air got into the nut...air being lighter than water makes the nut float, floating is bad. I tested this by putting all of the floaters on a tray and the sinkers on another tray...the wilds ate all of the sinkers and ignored the floaters. At my house all of the floaters and mid-lines (the ones that are suspended in mid water) get thrown into the garbage can. Sinkers are dried and frozen.
Just sharing my experiences.
EDIT: Uni, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Where my babies are concerned, and I am responsible for their well being, I won't feed them acorns at all. There are other things they like, and since none have been in the wild, they don't even know what they are missing. Pecans, walnuts, almonds, veggies, and fruits they love, and I always have an abundance of. Why risk it? Just my opinion, but my babies will stay safe and I will love on them through a long life! :grin3
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Sorry, double post. *Sigh*
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Milo's Mom
I collect acorns every year and I do float them, then I dry them on cookie sheets in the sun or on the counter, then I freeze them. I noticed that several of you say you also float them. From my research the floaters are the bad ones. The floaters have a hole somewhere and air got into the nut...air being lighter than water makes the nut float, floating is bad. I tested this by putting all of the floaters on a tray and the sinkers on another tray...the wilds ate all of the sinkers and ignored the floaters. At my house all of the floaters and mid-lines (the ones that are suspended in mid water) get thrown into the garbage can. Sinkers are dried and frozen.
Just sharing my experiences.
EDIT: Uni, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Just a heads up, Uni also floated her acorns before freezing and we know what happened. It might be possible that Uni lost power at some point and her acorns thawed out or something else but floating may not be a perfect test.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Uni, I am so sorry for your massive loss. My heart goes out to you. :Love_Icon
When you opened up the other acorns, what did they look like? Were they full of dark crumble?
I give my flyers frozen acorns all of the time and sometimes they won't eat one. When I open it, it's rotten, which tells me they can tell somehow.
I'll be cracking all of the acorns in half from now on just to be sure. I still think it's an important part of their diet.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Milo's Mom
I tested this by putting all of the floaters on a tray and the sinkers on another tray...the wilds ate all of the sinkers and ignored the floaters.
Somewhere I have heard wilds won't eat an acorn that have been on the ground over 24 hours.
Don't know how factual that is but many times in the forest I have seen the ground laden with
beautiful acorns and foraging squirrels ignoring them. I have even tested a few on my wilds and
watched as they pick one up, roll it around, and then throw it down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Milo's Mom
I collect acorns every year and I do float them, then I dry them on cookie sheets in the sun or on the counter, then I freeze them.
Having them thoroughly dried before freezing just makes good sense. :thumbsup
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
[QUOTE=stepnstone;972919]Somewhere I have heard wilds won't eat an acorn that have been on the ground over 24 hours.
Don't know how factual that is but many times in the forest I have seen the ground laden with
beautiful acorns and foraging squirrels ignoring them. I have even tested a few on my wilds and
watched as they pick one up, roll it around, and then throw it down.
You might be on to something.
My ground is littered with acorns right now and I watch the squirrels foraging for anything other than the acorns. When they were first starting to fall there was a free for all and now they want nothing to do with them. :dono
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MiriamS
Uni, I am so sorry for your massive loss. My heart goes out to you. :Love_Icon
When you opened up the other acorns, what did they look like? Were they full of dark crumble?
Thank you Miriam. When I cracked the first one, it looked normal other than somw white on the tip on the outside and a little on the acorn. The white wiped off with my finger and frozen was kind of powdery. The 2nd one I opened with the white on it was fully coated in fuzzy grey mold. The pic is of that one after a day of drying out in the trash can. I'm going to crack more and try to get some pics of them when I first open them. I'll crack some when I fell up to screwing with it.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Thanks Uni ...I know this must be so hard to keep revisiting and opening your wounds :shakehead I'm crying with ya girl :Cry
Thank you for sharing :bowdown :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
I guess a squirrel's instincts cover a lot of ground but I they must learn some things by observation of other squirrels and what foods to avoid is apparently one of those things. As hard as it is to share this sort of experience, you've saved lives. Thank you SO much.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
It really is a testament to how much you care for squirrels that you're willing to keep rehashing this so soon after your loss. :Love_Icon
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
UNI...I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. HOW AWFUL FOR YOU AND YOUR SQS. :sad :sad :sad :grouphug THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS.
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
I bought a book about squirrels & I remember it saying that acorns are very high in tannins. Tannins are very bad for just about any animal or person, except squirrels. Thanks to evolution, squirrels have a natural "tolerance" to tannins (quantity is an issue) & have a much shorter digestive tract, therefore the tannins don't stay in their bodies very long & they don't get sick. Of course there is the quantity they eat, the quality they eat & having a well working digestive/elimination system in place. If they can't poop and pee regularly, then there would be a problem.
Fungus/mold/spores, are a totally different story. I have seen wild squirrels eat nuts I have put out for them that I discovered afterwards were yucky. They will eat some & then stop and drop or throw it away. I've also come upon leftovers of nuts I have left for them. Those were always somewhat eaten, but obviously parts of it were moldy or black. Monster even got some a time or two & he would fight to keep them! He never would eat more than a few bites of them if he got to it before I noticed it was bad.
I have several frozen bags of acorns (different kinds), walnuts & pecans. For my own peace of mind, if I ever happen to be lucky enough to help another squirrel, will crack/cut open all nuts & inspect them before they are given to any squirrel. Just how long do frozen nuts keep? All of mine are in the shells. Has anyone else experienced the HUGH red oak acorns? What is the info on putting them in water about? THANKS!!
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Thank you guys!
I just did a float test on 17 of the acorns out of the bag that was frozen. Only 1 floated and it was bad, but the others sank to the bottom. I cracked 8 more and 6 of those were bad...
Re: frozen acorns kill squirrels
Uni, please don't blame yourself for this. There is no way you could know, but I also know it is little comfort. What you are doing now is what matters. Let's work to ensure this tragedy never happens again! Please know that myself and many others at TSB are not going to rest until we can educate people on the needless risks these Acorns represent. A well meaning treat is not worth the risk of the loss of our beloved squirrel. I am truly sorry that you had to experience this horror, but from these babies deaths will come much good! You have my promise on this! :grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug