too little time

[jakeesspoo]

Well I got 20 chicks in last week and two ducklings, on top of that two of the rabbits I bred just had fifteen babies and Ive been cutting down trees for wood for the last two weekends. Sunday we brought two large trees down and found 3 baby squirrels now displaced. There eyes arent even open yet like some of my rabbits. Well I couldnt just let them lay so now there on the kitchen table in a homemade nesting box. Feeding them cow milk from neighbors farm with a dropper. Weve done this before, I hope they turn out ok.

[W6NZ]

You're a hero. Squirrels look so cute, they're none here of course, and I believe they can do a bit of damage to gardens, but it's always nice to have wildlife running around. Hope they survive along with your other livestock.

[Paul B]

If you want squirrels, I'll give you some, just come get them, but they are kinda dumb squirrels. They dig holes in the lawn and flower beds, but bury walnuts (closest tree is two houses away) in the crotch or fork of tree branches, in the corners of the supports for the roof over my deck, on the fence around the yard, etc., all out in the open, but they (the walnuts) will stay there until I move them. They run the birds out, of or away from, the bird feeders, and fuss at the dog - she's too big and too old to chase them anymore so she just barks at them, she never could catch them anyhow. Squirrel hunting is a Kentucky tradition, but since I live in the city, I can't do that, but I keep thinking about 'inviting' one or two of them to breakfast some moring.

Even though I live in the city, I think there may be more wildlife here than in some areas of the country. The guy next door has trouble keeping the wild Mallard ducks out of his swiming pool. I have had Canada geese resting in my front yard. A Downy Woodpecker seems to like a couple of spots in the cedar shingles on my house (or maybe the soft cedar is easier on his little woodpecker lips). You can see and hear the hawks screeching as they hunt through the day. The wood bee's like the pressure treated wood of the fence. A couple of years ago a deer was hit by a car, just two blocks away. You can even find one or two of Country Elliot's 'Possum's wandering around at night.

I would like to move out of the city, but no telling what I might find in my yard then.......but I will still give you some squirrels .

[Lurker Carl]

SQUIRRELS????? Don't EVEN go there with me.

Those pesky gray squirrels are nothing but agile rats with fuzzy tails. Wait 'til they move into your attic or chimney, then you'll understand.

[johnbron]

Well Jake, From the replies you have gotten so far it sounds like you should have Arsenic in that dropper instead of Milk.

[beaconlight]

Used to hunt Squirel on SI when i was kid. Hit somebody from Brooklyn in the butt ever since they put that bridge up.

Bill

[DuxburyFarmall]

I saved a baby squirel last year and it decided to make a house in my barn this year .

I think squirel stew will be on the menu soon!

[ljw]

I think squirrel stew will be on the menu soon!

I don't know how you can get enough meat from those things to make a meal! My dad hunted squirrels years ago. One time he shot one, and when he went to pick it up it was still alive. It chewed up his hand and finger pretty good. It didn't faze him. He was out hunting the next weekend with a bandage on his hand.
We have about 5 walnut trees in the yard and they just jump from tree to tree and very seldom run on the ground. But they give the dogs and cats fits. They don't bother my garden too much. They're probably scared of the animals.
Larry

[Bigdog]

I, for one, admire your efforts. If it weren't for squirrels Carl would have nothing to entertain himself.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Or the neighbors either. I still can't get the image out of my mind's eye of him running through the neighborhood in his underwear shooting at squirrels.

[Lurker Carl]

My neighbors can't get that image out of their minds either, John. It put an unusual twist in their Memorial Day cookout.

There is a new squirrel adventure, it's not nearly as exciting. No one else witnessed this one except my lovely wife. She's been out of town this week so I get to enjoy the results.

[jakeesspoo]

I also hunt squirrels occasionally though not often because its not one of my favorites to eat. I would have no problem shooting one of them if they started living in my barn. I plan on releasing them in the back woods away from everything, Hell, I may even go back and hunt them some day but at least they had a fair chance... They seem to be doing O.K. My late grandfather used to have many flying squirrels and he would have one on a little leash connected to his flannel shirt and the squirrel would stay in his shirt pocket and come out and crawl around his shoulder and let the kids and everyone pet it. He was pretty well known around here for it, he would take them to the mall, the Ohio Veterans Home (his fellow vets got a kick out of it), the bar, even to my school when I was a little kid. They even had him in the local paper. I have no idea how he ever got into something like that besides having lived in the country, he was a carpenter by trade, so I guess squirrels must be in my blood... Truth be told although I love hunting and fishing and have no problem eating anything I raise or shoot I cant help but try to give everything a fair if not sporting chance And happy to report ALL the animals are doing good, although I did lose 3 out of my 20 day old roasters so Im out about $2.50...

[Lurker Carl]

Are the baby squirrels pinkies or did they already have fur when you found them?

[W6NZ]

You guys are all heart. What about those long fluffy tails and cutesy eyes.

PaulB. Sounds like I don 't need any squirrels, rabbits do the same thing. apart from storing nuts of course. Then the rats would do that.

[jakeesspoo]

the squirrels have a little fur on them although there eyes are still not even open yet. Im curious as to what type of squirrels they are. Two are black and one is whitish. Black and gray squirrels arent very common around here but there are some around so it would be cool if thats what they are. Im feeding them off of milk from the neighbors holsteins... My wife loves them, I told her she would love them even more with dumplings...