Gaining too much?

[ppodcor]

Hi all! Simon is 12 weeks and has official weaned himself from formula. He eats his two HHBs every morning and then gets a variety of leafy greens and around 4-5 mazuri rat blocks a day. Sometimes he gets a skinned cherry tomato or a blueberry as a treat.

He gets two hours a day, once at dawn and once at dusk, outside of his cage to run around, jump, and just explore the room he's in.

He refuses to let me weigh him. But I am a bit concerned with his stocky build vs. many of the squirrels we see in the neighborhood.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi all! Simon is 12 weeks and has official weaned himself from formula. He eats his two HHBs every morning and then gets a variety of leafy greens and around 4-5 mazuri rat blocks a day. Sometimes he gets a skinned cherry tomato or a blueberry as a treat.

He gets two hours a day, once at dawn and once at dusk, outside of his cage to run around, jump, and just explore the room he's in.

He refuses to let me weigh him. But I am a bit concerned with his stocky build vs. many of the squirrels we see in the neighborhood.

Hello again Ppodcor:
Simon appears to me to be very healthy! You have done a phenomenal job caring for Simon! He is very fortunate to have you (and you him, I do believe)! Simon is relatively young for a Squirrel to wean himself (but certainly not unheard of) and it is great that he is eating two HHBs and 4 or 5 Mazuri Blocks each day along with rare treats and no nuts (an occasional nut is ok but nuts for a captive Squirrel are treats only!) and his diet is optimal and without a doubt, his nutritional status is optimal as well! Again, great job!!! Being out of his enclosure but in a safe environment is also very good for his health and happiness! What are your intentions for Simon? Are you planning on a Soft-Release or are you two going to keep sharing the house? Either way, you have our support!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[ppodcor]

Hello again Ppodcor:
Simon appears to me to be very healthy! You have done a phenomenal job caring for Simon! He is very fortunate to have you (and you him, I do believe)! Simon is relatively young for a Squirrel to wean himself (but certainly not unheard of) and it is great that he is eating two HHBs and 4 or 5 Mazuri Blocks each day along with rare treats and no nuts (an occasional nut is ok but nuts for a captive Squirrel are treats only!) and his diet is optimal and without a doubt, his nutritional status is optimal as well! Again, great job!!! Being out of his enclosure but in a safe environment is also very good for his health and happiness! What are your intentions for Simon? Are you planning on a Soft-Release or are you two going to keep sharing the house? Either way, you have our support!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

Hi SamtheSquirrel,

Thank you for the reassurance. Our plan is a soft-release. My husband is building an outdoor enclosure for him. We are still looking at options on whether we need to over-winter. I've read the 14-16weeks is a good time to get them used to their outdoor area and to have a few weeks in there before the Release. But that will put us at the beginning of November.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi SamtheSquirrel,

Thank you for the reassurance. Our plan is a soft-release. My husband is building an outdoor enclosure for him. We are still looking at options on whether we need to over-winter. I've read the 14-16weeks is a good time to get them used to their outdoor area and to have a few weeks in there before the Release. But that will put us at the beginning of November.

Thanks Ppodcor! The decision to overwinter usually is based upon one or both of two concerns; one is the age of the Squirrel at the time of the anticipated SR and the other is the climate. Approaching a true winter, in IMHO is cause to seriously consider overwintering regardless of the age of the Squirrel! The SR serves to help the young Squirrel become acclimated to the outdoors and to the Wild and is a facilitator for the Squirrel's hitherto inactive instincts (necessary for protection and avoidance, food gathering and sheltering among other benefits) to come to the forefront and be active for the first time! The SR does not do everything nor does it make whatever happens in the wild able to dealt with from "git go" but it does give the young Squirrel enough of a start to be functional in the wild while gaining further experience! It is usually much preferred for the newly released Squirrel to have what may amount to 3 seasons to further "wild-up" and be adequately prepared before being faced with a cold, inhospitable winter where food (and they are food for hungry predators) is very limited and none has been stashed!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel