Rocky isn't weaning. >.>

[Jenna]

Hey, guys!

Rocky is 17 weeks now, and shows no interest in weaning. I would just keep feeding him, but we're going to run out of the FV formula sooner than later. What's the advice? Buy more formula or make him wean, since he's likely to do it himself any day?

He eats (free feeds) about 1/2 cup of Teklad 2018 pellets daily, plus lots of fresh food and whatever squirrel-friendly food he can snatch off our plates. (No worries, that doesn't actually happen hardly ever. XD) And I know he's not just stashing it; I clean out his caches twice, sometimes three times a day.

Thoughts?

Jenna

[CritterMom]

My first boy, Mister P, finally started rejecting formula at 19 weeks.

[Jenna]

*laughs* In that case, more FV ordered!

Jenna

My first boy, Mister P, finally started rejecting formula at 19 weeks.

[olorin19]

Last year, I overwintered sisters Kate and Sun who both still took some FV 20/50 formula most days at 22 weeks.

[Jenna]

Last year, I overwintered sisters Kate and Sun who both still took some FV 20/50 formula most days at 22 weeks.

Holy moly! I bet you thought they'd never wean. XD Somehow, it wouldn't surprise me if Rocky tried to hit that record...

Jenna

[Mel1959]

I had a released squirrel that hung around for about 8 years. She would take formula from a syringe 75% of the time if I offered it to her. I’d just call her down out of the trees for some “milk”. . Store the powdered FV in the freezer. It’ll keep for a long time.

[olorin19]

Store the powdered FV in the freezer. It’ll keep for a long time.

How long is an open bag of FV (kept in freezer) still good?

What I have typically done is whenever a squirrel weans, I leave the rest of the open FV in the freezer (where it already is stored),

I then use the old FV for a few days when a new squirrel turns up, until a new batch of FV arrives. This might be 8-10 months later.

[Mel1959]

I suppose you’d have to check with Leigh or Jay at Henry’s pets for certainty, but I really don’t know what would go “bad” in it if it’s frozen. I don’t know if the nutritional content would diminish or not. Seems unlikely to me but I’m not an expert. The reason most recommendations about a specific freezer storage time limit is due to the item no longer tasting or cooking optimally, such as with meat. I’ve stored open liquid buttermilk or powdered buttermilk in the freezer for years and used it without incident.

[Jenna]

I had a released squirrel that hung around for about 8 years. She would take formula from a syringe 75% of the time if I offered it to her. I’d just call her down out of the trees for some “milk”. . Store the powdered FV in the freezer. It’ll keep for a long time.

That's adorable! I had the same experience with hand-raised cockatiels, back in the day. <3 Rocky's drinking out of a dish, but maybe he's comfort eating.

I do store it in the freezer, and was wondering how long it would last, so appreciate the back and forth below!

Jenna