Help! I need advice about a baby squirrel.

[CottonBear]

There is a baby squirrel at the barn where I keep my horse. We think it may have been blown out of a nest during the recent high winds and storms. It is about 4"-5" long plus the tail and it's cute as a button! I think it may be imprinted on me or needs its mom or maybe is confused about where to live.

We heard a high pitched noise the night before last and saw it in the rafters of the barn. It seemed distressed. It was trying to get to the floor but couldn't figure out how to jump about 3 or 4 feet down to a pile of tack. I talked to it and finally draped a towel from a hook to the tack so that it could crawl down the towel. It was also making low-pitched, thrumming sounds. We left for the evening.

The next evening, I heard the high pitched noise when I went to the barn. I said to a pony "that sounds like the squirrel." All of a sudden, the little guy ran out into the paddock and right under the feet of the pony! The pony shifted its feet and the squirrel ran back into the barn.

The owner of the farm walked up and I'd said "I just saw the squirrel!" when it ran out into the paddock again. It ran all around us and over our feet. It ran back in an followed me around (mostly underfoot) while I cleaned the stalls. It even got under a flake of hay in a stall and played hide and seek!

What should we do? Does it need formula or special food? Should we shoo it outdoors or make a box for it to sleep in? BTW, the barn is in a very rural area and is right next to the woods where a bunch of squirrels, deer and foxes live. I was afraid to touch it because of the sharp teeth and claws. Would it be OK to hold it?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

[Beaverhausen]

1. I just googled and found this link

http://www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/squirrelcare.htm

years ago I knew someone who cared for a baby but I forget what they did. But it did survive.

[CottonBear]

2. Thanks so much!

I'm at work and took a quick break to post my question.

I will visit that site before I go to the barn tonight.

:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

[Lorien]

3. A good book to read on the subject

is called 'a squirrel of one's own". It's a sweet non fiction story about a man who raises a squirrel in his small apartment. Lots of good info.

KMR replacement milk can be found at most major pet and feed stores. I've successfully raised baby raccoons on it. One warning; once ytou feed a baby animal milk, you instantly become "mom'!

Just wear gloves when you first touch the squirrel. Usually, babies won't bite unless frightened. It may not even have teeth yet.

Good luck!

[CottonBear]

5. Thanks for the info!

I hope that it is still around tonight. I may try to give it lactated ringers solution from a syringe and a bowl of grain and fruit. I will wear my leather riding gloves. Thanks for the warning. I found a feeding and age chart. I think it's between 7 and 9 weeks old. It is definitely lost because it followed me. I read on a squirrel site that this is typical behavior for an orphan.

[demnan]

4. I have a bunch of them about that size

they invade the bird feeder for seed. So you know what the perfect thing will be to ween it on.

[CottonBear]

6. Apparently, they love sunflower seeds!

I'm going to buy some on my way to the farm tonight.