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Thread: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

  1. #1
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    Default First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    Hello. My guys are 6 1/2 weeks and just started on their Henry's Rodent blocks. Ive had them since 1 week. As I read this is the first solid food I introduced them to. My question is how long should I let them get used to it before I introduce a veggie? My next question is can anyone recommend a good water bottle? I bought a cheap one from Meijer and it leaked every bit out. Thank you everyone.
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    At their young age, I would not give them more than 1 Henry Block per day, since HHB's are supplements to a healthy diet, not a complete diet. Starter foods at my place are

    *leafy dark greens like kale, escarole, and dandelion leaves
    *raw sweet potato or, even better, Korean sweet potato (yama, the kind that are purple outside and pure white inside)
    *cruciform veggies like broccoli & cauliflower

    Start them early with these, otherwise it is very difficult to get them to eat them later. I don't offer the veggie version of squirrel crack -- sugar snap peas!! -- until they are truly eating their healthy veggies.

    Are you raising to release (hope so! ) If so, you may want to offer a high-quality rodent block such as Teklad 2016 or Oxbow Rat & Mouse. These become a large portion of their diet as they grow to release age (16+ weeks)

    IMHO, the only water bottles worth a damn are made by Lixit, and you often have to find them online. Henry's had a very good bottle a few years ago but in all honestly it was a pain in the butt to install -- so many parts LOL. Don't buy Hartz Mountain or Superpet bottles -- garbage.
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  4. #3
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    Default Re: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    Quote Originally Posted by Dianad1277 View Post
    My next question is can anyone recommend a good water bottle? I bought a cheap one from Meijer and it leaked every bit out. Thank you everyone.

    This was just suggested in another thread this morning.
    I always use the glass ones as well, but I've never tried this.
    It's suppose to be an excellent choice!
    If the bottle drips, try pushing the rubber gasket in a little more securely.
    I use the back of a tooth brush and go around, and that usually does the trick.

    https://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Glass-W...s+water+bottle

  5. 2 TSBers pass along the fuzzy thanks to Nancy in New York:

    cava (05-05-2018), Dianad1277 (05-07-2018)

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    Default Re: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    I recommend that when you do start giving veggies, always give the block first. Mine get their blocks while I prepare their veggie buffets and I keep this routine right up until release. Same with the NR's, block first, veggies after.

    Only after they have eaten their block do they get the veggie menagerie.

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    Default Re: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    I've always had luck with the Kaytee glass water bottles and they're down the street at the pet store when so when I get another unexpected guest I can grab one quick. I have four in use now and none of them leak, they're easy to clean and hang with a spring wire so it's easy to relocate and move around.

    That being said, I ALWAYS have a bowl of water in the cage that is changed 1-2 x a day. It's the most important part of their diet and should be fresh and available at all times.

    I also feed first foods the way Island Rehabber does it and I use Harlan Teklad (Envigo) rodent blocks here.

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    Default Re: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    Quote Originally Posted by cava View Post
    I've always had luck with the Kaytee glass water bottles and they're down the street at the pet store when so when I get another unexpected guest I can grab one quick. I have four in use now and none of them leak, they're easy to clean and hang with a spring wire so it's easy to relocate and move around.
    That's what I've always use as well.
    https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...s+water+bottle
    BUT I just saw a post from HRT4SQRLS about the other
    one I posted about.
    I've only used the Kaytee but figured if HRT recommended
    the other one, it HAS to be great.

  11. 2 TSBers pass along the fuzzy thanks to Nancy in New York:

    cava (05-05-2018), Dianad1277 (05-07-2018)

  12. #7
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    Default Re: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nancy in New York View Post
    That's what I've always use as well.
    https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...s+water+bottle
    BUT I just saw a post from HRT4SQRLS about the other
    one I posted about.
    I've only used the Kaytee but figured if HRT recommended
    the other one, it HAS to be great.
    I thought the same thing, SS likes them too. I'll be sure to check them out!

  13. Serious fuzzy thank you's to cava from:

    Nancy in New York (05-05-2018)

  14. #8
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    Default Re: First foods for Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

    Quote Originally Posted by island rehabber View Post
    At their young age, I would not give them more than 1 Henry Block per day, since HHB's are supplements to a healthy diet, not a complete diet. Starter foods at my place are

    *leafy dark greens like kale, escarole, and dandelion leaves
    *raw sweet potato or, even better, Korean sweet potato (yama, the kind that are purple outside and pure white inside)
    *cruciform veggies like broccoli & cauliflower

    Start them early with these, otherwise it is very difficult to get them to eat them later. I don't offer the veggie version of squirrel crack -- sugar snap peas!! -- until they are truly eating their healthy veggies.

    Are you raising to release (hope so! ) If so, you may want to offer a high-quality rodent block such as Teklad 2016 or Oxbow Rat & Mouse. These become a large portion of their diet as they grow to release age (16+ weeks)

    IMHO, the only water bottles worth a damn are made by Lixit, and you often have to find them online. Henry's had a very good bottle a few years ago but in all honestly it was a pain in the butt to install -- so many parts LOL. Don't buy Hartz Mountain or Superpet bottles -- garbage.
    Thank you! Yes I am definitely raising for release. I have very energetic, healthy babies. I would never want to keep them in a cage their whole life. I will miss them terribly, but I look forward to letting them be the squirrels they need to be. We are currently building their soft release cage. I will definitely order the water bottle. Thank you again for your info. Much appreciated.

  15. Serious fuzzy thank you's to Dianad1277 from:

    Nancy in New York (05-07-2018)

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