Should 5 week old greys be walking? Nibbling blocks?

[ScrappyDo]

When these babies are still with mom,
their ONLY food source is Mom's milk.

As they get a little older and venture out
on limbs, they will probably nibble at tree bark. But their MAIN
food source is milk.

I never give anything solid to my squirrels until ~7 weeks,
and basically give them all the formula they want as long as their tummies
don't get hard.
Then I give an HHB block for them to nibble on while I'm there
making sure they don't choke.
Many will supplement with rodent block but I find that mine won't touch
any of that, so I only offer HHB's.
After they get eating their block down, ~ 3-4 days then I incorporate some solid
veggies, and greens from the list.

ALWAYS making the formula their main diet.

Once they start eating more solids, the formula intake seems to decrease.
We currently have a 6 month old squirrel on the board who still take formula 3 times daily.

Short video of one of my yard squirrels with her big baby still tryig to nurse.
CLICK ON LINK
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...NT6CdP-640.mp4

Mine turned 5 weeks today so I will wait 2 more weeks before I offer them HHB's then. They did start nibbling fingers a couple of days ago. Do they need something to chew on already? I have some apple sticks and a piece of deer antler I can give them if they are ready for that sort of thing. Thanks for your help!

Cute video!

[TubeDriver]

Mine are a week or so older and they nibble like crazy. They nibble fingers, each other, cage bars etc. I put in apple sticks and they will fight over them. I figured it was better for them to be chewing sticks as opposed to cage bars.

Mine turned 5 weeks today so I will wait 2 more weeks before I offer them HHB's then. They did start nibbling fingers a couple of days ago. Do they need something to chew on already? I have some apple sticks and a piece of deer antler I can give them if they are ready for that sort of thing. Thanks for your help!

Cute video!

[ScrappyDo]

Mine are a week or so older and they nibble like crazy. They nibble fingers, each other, cage bars etc. I put in apple sticks and they will fight over them. I figured it was better for them to be chewing sticks as opposed to cage bars.

Good point! Yeah, my girl got hold of my boy and he GROWLED at her! It was the cutest sound ever! Poor guy! Those nibbles can be painful! I'll throw in some apple sticks! Thanks!

[Nancy in New York]

Mine turned 5 weeks today so I will wait 2 more weeks before I offer them HHB's then. They did start nibbling fingers a couple of days ago. Do they need something to chew on already? I have some apple sticks and a piece of deer antler I can give them if they are ready for that sort of thing. Thanks for your help!

Cute video!

Just remember, we ALL do things differently.
Mine take plenty of formula, so the chances of them
ever being hungry is pretty low.
BUT they do like to "teeth" so you could offer
rodent block now and then switch over to HHB's at 7-8 weeks,
OR do what you mentioned above with the apple twigs.
Whatever works best for them and you.

[KarmaKay]

If I am not mistaken, I don't believe the Henry's blocks are recommended for babies under the age of 8 weeks. I put regular high quality blocks in with my 5-6week olds right after their eyes open: Mazuri or Zupreem blocks, usually, because I have not had good luck with other brands. Check your bag of Henry's HHB's -- I think 8 weeks is the minimum age. Remember that HHB's are a supplement; your squirrel's diet should consist of good quality regular blocks, which is what you start them off on.

Thank you for this info! I have the Zupreem and Henry's. I didn't know they shouldn't have the Henry's until 8 weeks.