New to baby squirrels any advice is greatly appreciated

[Pecan man]

Hi I'm Billy I recently found a baby Eastern grey squirrel. I think it is about 4-5 weeks old, the mother must have abandoned them or gotten run over there was 3 of them, but unfortunately 2 were dead under the tree, and my little guy was squalling and shaking and holding on for dear life he was weak and shaking just about to loose his grip and end up like the other 2. I got him just in time, he had flys around him. So I got some Pedialyte and got him hydrated. Then got some esbilac for 2 days until I got fv20/50 he was 86 g Sunday Nov 3. He is 105g today. He is doing really good I feed him 4-5 times a day I been slowly switching from esbilac to the fv formula Im up to 8ccs is that too much? he isn't bloated, no diarrhea and is going potty before and after I feed him regularly. I'm new to this so I been researching since sunday. I have made a few mistakes. But he seems to be doing awesome. I'm so happy!

[Grinderhead]

Go to https://www.henryspets.com/
Baby squirrel care.
This is just me I do a 50/50 FV/Esb with no problem, and have health plump babies.
We feed 5% to 7% of body weight.
The link will help you.
You have any questions please post them here.

[Charley Chuckles]

Thank you for saving this baby ❤️

[Pecan man]

Ok thank you. I have a few more questions if someone could please help me. 1. His top teeth are coming through the gum a little. Does that mean he is about 5 weeks old? What do I need to give him to help him teeth,? I have read so much from clay pots to deer antler. He is trying to nibble on my fingers. 2. When do I need to start him on rodent block? 3. He weighs 105 g is that good? He seems a bit small for 5 weeks. He is eating like crazy every 4 hours I been giving him 8ccs, I was giving him 6cca but he kept acting like he was starving. I'm not sure about mixing heavy cream or yogurt because he is not bloated and going potty Everytime before and after he eats. Sorry for all the questions I just want little pecan to grow up big and strong.

[Spanky]

Ok thank you. I have a few more questions if someone could please help me. 1. His top teeth are coming through the gum a little. Does that mean he is about 5 weeks old? What do I need to give him to help him teeth,? I have read so much from clay pots to deer antler. He is trying to nibble on my fingers. 2. When do I need to start him on rodent block? 3. He weighs 105 g is that good? He seems a bit small for 5 weeks. He is eating like crazy every 4 hours I been giving him 8ccs, I was giving him 6cca but he kept acting like he was starving. I'm not sure about mixing heavy cream or yogurt because he is not bloated and going potty Everytime before and after he eats. Sorry for all the questions I just want little pecan to grow up big and strong.

His teeth will be fine, no need to worry for a few months and maybe not even then. Antler chews are just fine when he gets older.

They open their eyes pretty much at 5 weeks plus or minus a few days.

I start placing rodent block in their enclosure when eyes open, though it will be a while before they start eating the block. He'll crunch up into crumbs prior to when he actually starts eating the block. No other solids foods until after he is eating... actually eating.. the block.

My goal is for babies to be over 100grams when their eyes open, though that is typically for a healthy squirrel IMO (in this area... I think TN and upstate NC/NE GA are similar). Babies further north are larger and they are smaller further south.

[Mel1959]

It’s easiest to gauge age by when the eyes open which is roughly at 5 weeks. Gray Squirrels in the south are smaller than the grays up north.

The 5-7% feeding rule would mean that he should be eating between 5.25ml-7.35ml at each feeding. This is a guideline. Most squirrels will want more than that, which is fine. The key is to make any increases gradually to prevent diarrhea. I keep a record of how much they eat at each feeding so I can make increases gradually.

Block is introduced at 5 weeks along with a water bottle. Here’s the list of healthy foods which are introduced gradually after he is eating the block well. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...-Pet-Squirrels

Provide him small branches to chew on from oak, pecan, hickory or any other safe trees listed in the link above. Antlers are also good, but don’t seem to be quite as desirable for little guys.

Spanky beat me to it.

[Pecan man]

Thank you all for the help. Little pecan is doing great, he is gaining like 2-4 grams a day. a day. I been weighing him every time and feeding him 8% of his weight before he eats, but after he goes potty every 4-5 hours, am I doing this right? I stimulate him before and after he eats.I ordered him some Henry's picky blocks tonight. When I get them should I offer them to him or simply leave one in his cage until he tries it? Bc thank you Spanky Charlie Chuckles and Grinderhead and Mel1959. Sorry new to forums and don't know how to officially thank you all.

[Pecan man]

Is there a temporary alternative to Henry's rodent blocks? I ordered some but I don't know when they will be here.

[CritterMom]

I wouldn't bother - his eyes are still closed and a couple days will not make a difference. We begin at this age mostly to get them used to the food they will be eating. The first couple blocks will be played with, peed on, shredded, thrown around, stashed, and sometimes a little will go down their throat! And that is the whole purpose of putting them in there so early. Baby squirrels with squirrel mamas don't even see solid food until they are out of the nest - about 9 weeks or so.

And Henry's ships really fast.

Tip: The blocks need to be put in the FREEZER. They have no preservatives. You also need to clean up the bits left behind daily so nobody eats something that is beginning to go bad. They are pricey (but worth it) so cut the blocks in half until they begin to actually eat them - they can mess around and get accustomed to half a block as easily as a whole one!

[Pecan man]

His eyes been open since last Sunday. How soon do I put them in there?

[Pecan man]

So just earlier the better? I should be fine waiting for Henry's to ship. Thanks for your help.

[Pecan man]

Should I feed little pecan
less formula? He is already eating the blocks.

[CritterMom]

No, let him decide on how much he is going to eat. We don't wean squirrels, we let them wean themselves.

[Icemouse]

Hiya pecan man
Great that you found this forum here. I was a helpless squirrel mom last year around this time as well.
It's exiting to see first hand how our wee babies grow and thrive. Unfortunately I didn't find the forum till my Hamy was already a few months old. Before I found this forum I got my information from a so called expert. Unfortunately the feeding guidelines I was given were not suitable for a grey squirrel in captivity. I learned about the food pyramid and Henry's blocks here at the forum.
I don't want to scare you but please please pretty please stick to the feeding guidelines here on the forum. I have changed Hamys food intake according to the pyramid as soon as I learned about it.... but the damage was already done. My beloved Hamy got MBD due to the wrong diet he had before I found this forum. Only because CritterMom and TomahawkFlyers recognised it immediately Hamy survived. MBD is horrific. My Hamy was fine one day, lively, playful as can be. The next day he was lethargic and sleepy as can be. I got in touch with TomahawkFlyers flyers and CritterMom immediately. Only because they reacted so quickly Hamy is still alive. MBD is bad news. You won't see it coming. I spent weeks worrying if my Hamy would survive.
Henry's blocks are vital for squirrels in captivity. The blocks are specially designed for squirrels in captivity. It's really important that you check the calcium phosphorus ratio of all vegetables and fruit your squirel gets a day. DON'T give more than 1 nut per day. Hamy doesn't get any extra nuts anymore only the nuts in Henry's blocks.
It's a lot to learn about nutrion in the beginning. It's not as difficult as it may sound. But it's major important that you stick to it no matter what. The guys here on the forum are extremely knowledgeable. If you're not sure about things just ask. There is no such thing as a dumb question....
Hamy is a NR. He'll hopefully grow very old with me. I had no clue about grey squirrels as Hamy found me. There will be loads of questions arising but it also is extremely rewarding to see your wee pal grow and thrive. You will learn with your Pecan. You will be amazed how intelligent and playful they are.
For now your baby is still on milk. He'll wean himself off. Play with him so he gets used to being touched. They are succers for any gentle touch. My Hamy loves to get massaged, cuddled and caressed. He is playful and adventurous as can be. He can smell things like a bloodhoud and he's fast as lightening.
The key to a healthy happy squirrel is the right diet. Please stick to the food pyramid and Henry's blocks... and make sure the calcium phosphorus ratio is right. The calcium needs to be much higher than the phosphorus. MBD is horrible, painful as can be and it takes a long time to reverse the damage if it's even possible. My Hamy survived but he's still on the road of recovery.
I really don't mean to scare you but I just want to stress how very important good nutrition is for your baby.
Being a squirrel parent holds a lot of responsibility but it is great fun and awarding as can be. Best of luck for you and your wee dude.
Icemouse