Hello I'm new here

[Icemouse]

When I read that a squirrel rescue center feeds a seed mixture and you were feeding Hamy a seed mixture I was surprised. Seeds, dried corn and nuts are not the foundation for a captive squirrels diet. If Hamy is getting nuts in boo balls then he probably doesn’t need anymore other than an occasional treat of a single almond or two.

When I had my flyer I would give him a half of an almond once every week or two. shakehead

So this begs the question…..

Those of you that have captive squirrels…how many and how often do you give nuts??? I’m really interested in what an acceptable amount is.

The diet of reds is really different to the food greys can have. I was told almonds are bad news for red squirrels as they contain too much cyanide... they feed one almond per month... the greys are much more robust. They share their homes with other greys but the reds don't... greys can eat berries which are poisonous to reds....
I can only repeat what I was told.... I really don't know..... well most of the rescue centres release their patients again. I only know of one red which has problems with his teeth. He'll stay there forever.... I will ask them about MBD in reds in captivity.... would be interesting to find out more about it.....
Hamy is a lot calmer today... we try to keep him distracted.... washed dishes with him, cut some veg I wanted to freeze, dusting etc....
He did have 1 hazelnut and 1 almond in his nut dish. It miraculously appeared... well my hubby put the dish in as we were cutting the veg... Hamy and I did put the dish with the rodent blocks and the veg and fruit dish in.... it took Hamy about 30 mins till he realised all dishes including his nut dish are in again.... Hamy eats the rodent blocks before he comes out. Hamy only ate the hazelnut.... the almond is still in the dish....after the hazelnut Hamy ate another ¾ of a rodent block and some veg & fruit.... he keeps checking if the almond is still in his dish but that's pretty much it....
At least he doesn't behave like a drug addict anymore....
Thanks for recipe... I'll defo try it....

[Icemouse]

That’s perfect! One nut as his stash in a clearly visible location is manageable…..10 stashes throughout the house isn’t.

He will defo not have stashes anymore.... and I'll not give him more than 2 nuts per day for now.... I'll cut down to one per day asap.... He still didn't touch the almond.... he's not checking on it anymore either.... he keeps eating his veg and rodent blocks...
No matter how much Hamy acts up we'll not give in... his life depends on it.... I feel really bad how many nuts and seeds he got so far.... I through the garvo1060 in the trash already...

[Icemouse]

Fingers crossed that Hamy is slowly getting the picture. You have gotten such perfect advice here from other members that I just wanted to jump in and say please continue to take this very seriously about the nuts and the nuts stashes. Captive squirrels should truly only get one or two nuts per day and less if they will tolerate it. The reason for this is the very real danger of metabolic Bone disease in captives, but which I'm sure that you've already educated yourself about because you are such a conscientious squirrel mom. MBD is something you don't ever want to risk for your squirrel, and the three triggers for it are nuts seeds and corn because of their high content of phosphorus.

Icemouse, I would like to move your thread out of the Introduce Yourself forum and into either the Nursery or the Grey Squirrel forums. Ok with you?

Hiya island rehabber,
Off course you can move the thread where you think its best.
I'm really thankful to the max for all the help I'm getting from everybody. I did read up on MBD.... it's horrific to the max.... believe me I will do anything in my powers to prevent Hamy getting ill.
Like I said before I'd live of italian ice cream if I could but how long would I be healthy.... Hamy loves the rodent blocks which is geeat.... I'm afraid I spoiled Hamy a bit with his nut intake....
He only got one hazelnut and one almond today...in his dish... in the cage. he only ate the hazelnut the almond is still in his dish....
I'm really more than thankful for everbody helping us so very much. Hamy did calm down a bit today... he actually just came flying to get cuddles... he even cleaned my hand and fingers again.... he's a bit more playful now....
Don't worry I won't give Hamy more than 2 nuts... I'll try to cut it down to 1 per day.... I fed Hamy the wrong diet for too long already... only because I didn't know it doesn't make it better... I won't be able to change that anymore but I can make sure Hamy gets the best diet from now on.... I rather have Hamy a bit upset for a few days than getting ill.... he will get used to the new diet....

[Icemouse]

The clouds above our paradise are gone. Hamy is back to the happy camper he usually is.
Ever since all his food bowls are in his cage at the same time again he's not throwing fits anymore. Well, Hamy and I prepare his veg and fruit, then we fill the rodent block dish. My hubby puts 1 hazelnut and 1 almond in Hamys nut dish. Hamy never sees my hubby doing it.
We cleared out all his stashes and rearranged the furniture so Hamy can't start using the stash places anymore.
Yesterday afternoon Hamy was so tired and happy again that he had a wee snooze in my hands before he walked back in to his cage.
I have to say we are over the moon... I never thought Hamy would be this forgiving.... could it be possible that Hamy only reacted that bad because I changed the way his food is presented? He was used to getting all foods in a oner. Then I changed it to every food group on it's own.... Hamy likes to have some rodent blocks and then some veg or fruit. He eats a mix of everything. But I took that away by serving each food group on it's own....plus clearing out his stashes.... was that too much change at once for Hamy?
Either or I'm glad Hamy is back to the lovely cheeky boy he was. All that frantic behaviour is gone.
Thanks for you alls patience with us.

[Mel1959]

Great news to hear Hamy is back to his sweet loving self. Most squirrels DO NOT like change! Rearranging their bedding, cleaning their cage, changing their food, new smells etc. Any of these things can throw them into a fit and result in the squirrel even attacking. Now that you know what Hamy likes you can consider yourself definitely !!

[Charley Chuckles]

GREAT news 😄
I'm so use to serving squirrels on their terms I think like a squirrel 🤣🐿️

[Icemouse]

Great news to hear Hamy is back to his sweet loving self. Most squirrels DO NOT like change! Rearranging their bedding, cleaning their cage, changing their food, new smells etc. Any of these things can throw them into a fit and result in the squirrel even attacking. Now that you know what Hamy likes you can consider yourself definitely !!

I should have thought about Hamy not liking change. As he had his new house and cage he slept 3 nights in the hammocks but never in his new house.... and then I had the bright idea to rearrange the branches and ropes after only 4 weeks with the new cage.... I was dumb enough to have him in the same room but I didn't allow him to "help".... man was he annoyed with the "new improved" setup.... I just wanted to make it more adventurous for him. I seriously thought it's not that boring for him when he get's a change of interior once in a while.... never again. Now when I change something in his cage it's only to replace the branches with fresh ones.... one at the time.... Hamy is involved...
I guess it was a bit much for Hamy lately... we put up the new highway.... commotion for 2 days.... then changing his food.... taking away his stashes.... and no more unlimited nuts..... he must have thought hell is breaking loose...
I learned a lot from this experience.... sure wished Hamy didn't have to go through that much uncertainty. It must have been horrific for him. It sure was a living nightmare for me. I love peace and harmony... so does Hamy.... otherwise he would not have tried to mend the situation as well.... love can conquer anything... as long as everybody involved really cares.... Hamy has a heart of gold... he did not hold my ignorance against me.... he was as interested to get the problem solved just like we were.
The whole ordeal only got us closer. Oh I have so much more to learn. But with Hamys help I'm sure we can educate each other 😍

[Icemouse]

GREAT news 😄
I'm so use to serving squirrels on their terms I think like a squirrel 🤣🐿️

There's a long way to go for me to be in such a position.... but I'm more than willing to learn... and with you alls help Hamy can have a bright future... wether it's here with us or in his forest... I just want him to be happy...
Hamy tought me a few very valuable lessons in this whole ordeal.... I have to admit that I did know that greys are really smart... but I still underestimated his intelligence completely...
He can pick up scent like a bloodhound, he can memorise his surroundings to the max, almost like a photographic memory.... and eventhough I made big mistakes he's forgiving as can be.... he's smart, kind, loving, caring and thankful for every little thing!!! I just love my wee dude ❤️

[TomahawkFlyers]

I didn't think, nor do I now think that Hamy's temporary change in demeanor would put you off him. You're right - the great amount of change defo had a role in his upset. Now you know, and given the love you have for him, change going forward will be gradual and gentle; and, Hamy will have his hard hat, tool belt, and steel-toed boots on and participate! Whatever you do, don't make him report you to the union steward!

Stole one of your words. Hope it is used correctly and that you don't mind.

Jamie

[CritterMom]

A suggestion for you regarding nuts: They are a conundrum - they LOVE them but they are not good for them, certainly not in the quantity that our squirrels would prefer. To try for a little of both, I changed the definition of the word "nut" around my house. I can cut a half a pecan into about 16 little 1/8" square nut bits; a walnut into quite a bit more. Each one of those tiny fragments is a "nut." That way I can give "good boy" nuts for going in and out of his enclosure and still hide a few for him to find and after he gets 8 or 10 "nuts" he still hasn't actually consumed even half a real nut. I don't give nuts in the shell. He has all sorts of lumber to chew, in addition to the lumber that was used to build my windowsills and door trim which is apparently the finest of wood...I don't use nutshells as a way to work out his teeth.

This works well. No way he stashes nuts of that size - they get eaten immediately. And he gets to have "nuts" all day!

[Icemouse]

I didn't think, nor do I now think that Hamy's temporary change in demeanor would put you off him. You're right - the great amount of change defo had a role in his upset. Now you know, and given the love you have for him, change going forward will be gradual and gentle; and, Hamy will have his hard hat, tool belt, and steel-toed boots on and participate! Whatever you do, don't make him report you to the union steward!

Stole one of your words. Hope it is used correctly and that you don't mind.

Jamie

Hiya Jamie
yep you sure used it correctly.
Ooops... I didn't even realise that I used a few words which are not english....
Yeah the build of Hamys new cage will be planned carefully. We don't want to get reported to the union... Hamy sure flexed his wee muscles at the "nut incident 2024" to the max.... there you see one doesn't have to be big to be heard, 614g can overpower 55kg any time....
Hamy is back to his mischievous ways... new thing is to nibble on my ears.... he seriously moves the long hair away to get to my ears to nibble on them.... tickles like mad 😂
Well, he is defo a strong-minded character. Will be interesting to see what he comes up with next. It won't get boring with my wee pal, thats for sure!
Icemouse

[Icemouse]

A suggestion for you regarding nuts: They are a conundrum - they LOVE them but they are not good for them, certainly not in the quantity that our squirrels would prefer. To try for a little of both, I changed the definition of the word "nut" around my house. I can cut a half a pecan into about 16 little 1/8" square nut bits; a walnut into quite a bit more. Each one of those tiny fragments is a "nut." That way I can give "good boy" nuts for going in and out of his enclosure and still hide a few for him to find and after he gets 8 or 10 "nuts" he still hasn't actually consumed even half a real nut. I don't give nuts in the shell. He has all sorts of lumber to chew, in addition to the lumber that was used to build my windowsills and door trim which is apparently the finest of wood...I don't use nutshells as a way to work out his teeth.

This works well. No way he stashes nuts of that size - they get eaten immediately. And he gets to have "nuts" all day!

What a great idea!!! I do have to work on my cutting technique.... only got 12 bits out of ½ a pecan.... I'll start that soon. I want to give Hamy time to get used to the 2 nuts a day diet first... poor boy had unlimited nuts till you all educated me about the dangers of it.
Do your squirrels use the river rocks? Hamy doesn't even look at them... he only uses antlers, wood and seldom sepia shells... well and the 2 nuts a day...
I'll have Hamy get used to the 2-nut-diet but then defo try your version of giving nuts. At the moment I just don't want to risk a riot...

[CritterMom]

No rocks. Wood is the fave, antlers get chewed occasionally. I also buy cuttlebones (for birds) and he chews those. Attach stuff like that to the cage - not just a piece of wood laying on the ground - the want to be able to bite into it, tug on it, and not have it go anywhere.

[Mel1959]

As for chewing items that also contain calcium, I have both antlers and bones attached to the trees for my wilds. One of the favorite items I have is an old cow skull. While on a trip to the British Virgin Islands we came across an old dried cow skull, we named Andy, complete with horns. We brought it back in our luggage and I hung it in my courtyard for decoration. I noticed that the squirrels were occasionally chewing on it. When we had the house painted I removed it and hung it in the backyard on the fence by the oak tree feeding station. Poor Andy barely has any horns anymore, but there’s still lots of him to be consumed. I often hear the squirrels chewing on Andy and the bone marrow bones that are attached in several trees. I find it fascinating that they know what they need in their diet and will seek it out……you just have to make it readily available.

[Icemouse]

No rocks. Wood is the fave, antlers get chewed occasionally. I also buy cuttlebones (for birds) and he chews those. Attach stuff like that to the cage - not just a piece of wood laying on the ground - the want to be able to bite into it, tug on it, and not have it go anywhere.

Supercool... I can get cuttlebones/sepia shells here. I know a place near by where they get washed ashore.... some of them are quite big. It's only an hours walk from here... no cars allowed in that area.... I tried to get Hamy interested in sea shells but he ignores them.
Hamy is a big fan of antlers. We just ordered more. We live in an rural area at the sea. We have to order most things online. But we also have plenty of woods close by. We can cut the branches we need fresh. Plus we can harvest all kinds of berries and beech nuts. Hamy loves the casings of the beechnuts as well.... come to think can Hamy still have those 🤔 he only eats the stem of the dried casings.... he never eats the velvety inside.... and there are no nuts in them anymore. Hamy ate them already as we brought them home. I couldn't believe my luck as I stumbled across a beech tree loaded with nuts ready to be harvested.

[Icemouse]

As for chewing items that also contain calcium, I have both antlers and bones attached to the trees for my wilds. One of the favorite items I have is an old cow skull. While on a trip to the British Virgin Islands we came across an old dried cow skull, we named Andy, complete with horns. We brought it back in our luggage and I hung it in my courtyard for decoration. I noticed that the squirrels were occasionally chewing on it. When we had the house painted I removed it and hung it in the backyard on the fence by the oak tree feeding station. Poor Andy barely has any horns anymore, but there’s still lots of him to be consumed. I often hear the squirrels chewing on Andy and the bone marrow bones that are attached in several trees. I find it fascinating that they know what they need in their diet and will seek it out……you just have to make it readily available.

Oh I so wished I could lay my hands on such a skull... unfortunately there's none to be found here in the wild. All I can find here is bird bones.. but we had an avian flu outbreak so I rather stay far away from those bones....
All we can find online are calcium bones for dogs... would they work? Or should I ask my local butcher to give me some bones? But how could I make them eatable for Hamy? What do you mean with "bone marrow bones"? Where can I get them? I know we all speak english but british/scottish english and american english is different in some ways.... I really don't mean to be annoying I just want to make sure I'm not harming my wee dude.... sorry 😞

[Charley Chuckles]

I've bought cow femur bones for dogs but you have to make sure they haven't been sprayed with anything like preservative.... wouldn't want any from China and hard to know where they come from. If you have a local butcher that's great try to get the cow femur bone you can boil it to get all the messy stuff off.
It has calcium and keeps their teeth to proper length.

[Icemouse]

I've bought cow femur bones for dogs but you have to make sure they haven't been sprayed with anything like preservative.... wouldn't want any from China and hard to know where they come from. If you have a local butcher that's great try to get the cow femur bone you can boil it to get all the messy stuff off.
It has calcium and keeps their teeth to proper length.

Thank you. I can get cow femur bones from my local butcher. It won't be treated in any way. My granny used to boil those bones to make beef broth.
I know ordering stuff on the internet is tricky at times. We ordered a hammock for Hamy, because I thought I use it as a pattern to sew my own. On the website it clearly stated that it's not chinese make .... as it arrived it was cheap chinese product. It stank tremendously as I took out of the bag... it had that "nice" chemical stink to it and it looked like it came from aliexpress or temu.... I can't even use it as pattern...

[Mel1959]

Oh I so wished I could lay my hands on such a skull... unfortunately there's none to be found here in the wild. All I can find here is bird bones.. but we had an avian flu outbreak so I rather stay far away from those bones....
All we can find online are calcium bones for dogs... would they work? Or should I ask my local butcher to give me some bones? But how could I make them eatable for Hamy? What do you mean with "bone marrow bones"? Where can I get them? I know we all speak english but british/scottish english and american english is different in some ways.... I really don't mean to be annoying I just want to make sure I'm not harming my wee dude.... sorry 😞

Bone marrow bones are the femur bones cut into about a 3” length and circular. I used to buy them for my dog…he’d eat the marrow out and the bone would dry out in the sun. It’s a very dense bone. So the cow femur you’re talking about and CC’s suggestion to boil it to rid it of the marrow will work.

[Icemouse]

Bone marrow bones are the femur bones cut into about a 3” length and circular. I used to buy them for my dog…he’d eat the marrow out and the bone would dry out in the sun. It’s a very dense bone. So the cow femur you’re talking about and CC’s suggestion to boil it to rid it of the marrow will work.

As we still had our dog we used to buy the marrow bones as well as the knuckle bones. Our dog used to love them.
Yeah and my granny used them to make broth/stock. Great base for soups or sauces/gravy.
I was at the butchers this morning. He only had frozen ones but I can get fresh ones Monday morning 7am...
Can't wait to see Hamys reaction when I offer him a bone