Feeding a baby squirrel

[WendyS]

Mother squirrel has bought her baby to our garden to teach it how to climb the pole where the peanut cages hang but the poor little thing is so tiny that she can't climb it yet. What else can I put on the ground for the youngster to feed on?

And for those of you reading my recent Rat posts, mother rat is now parading her tiny two inch long babies down the garden path towards the bird table ! They're so cute and I have such a conscience about putting down the rat poison, although this makes is more necessary than ever. (Who needs Bill Oddie & Springwatch? It all seems to be happening right outside our patio window).

[smudge]

Maybe this link could help Wendy.

I adore squirrels too & enjoy watching all their antics in our garden. Not so happy about them digging all my Lilly bulbs up last year though - litttle rascals!!!!

Enjoy the sunshine!

[zukitia]

Hi Wendy

We have a mum and two youngsters although they are getting quite big now. I bought a bag of squirrel food from the garden centre to put in our feeder, it has peanuts (whole one in the shells) banana chips, maize and sunflower seeds in it.

Judging from the mess on the ground they love the whole peanuts - there are bit of shell all over the garden! I love watching them sat on the fence eating the bits they want and chucking the bits they don't onto the floor. So cute!

[WendyS]

Thanks Smudge and Zukitia. Unfortunately I don't think I can get close enough to the baby squirrel to milk-feed it but luckily, although small, it does seem to be weaned, so I will try some of the other things you suggest. In the meantime, it looks as if I may have to part with some of my bran flakes and sultanas until I can get down to the pet shop !

[gessoo]

Wendy, if you keep feeding all these wild animals you will be totally skint - just like me. Big softies aren't we all. Don't forget squirrels kill the birds and take their eggs though Wendy, so don't encourage them to your bird table. They are very cute but classed as vermin I am afraid

[smudge]

You're welcome Wendy.

I've always got a big bag of peanuts in the cupboard & take our Grandchildren along to the local Church yard & park to feed the squirrels.

They/we love watching them breaking open the shells & gnawing away in delight! Bless!

[Dagman]

How about helping it up a little by spiralling a rope around the pole, not completely covering the pole but just enough rope for it to grip onto. Or are there cats nearby that would benefit too??? then not a good idea!