Miserable squirrels!

[valmom]

I think we are feeding the entire squirrel population of Southern Vermont! They can't get into the house, but I see them congregating outside the house INSIDE the pen waiting for me to come out and open up the restraunt door! And the girls (and boys) let them in!

ARGGH

How the heck do you keep heavy squirrels from climbing into your enclosure? Net would just get chewed through, and, unfortunately our enclosure is an odd shape and with the house in the middle of it, would be difficult to get wire over the top of it.

What can I try??

<<<grumble...little furry freeloaders>>>>

 

[jjthink]

I adore squirrels so I'm no help! They even gently take peanuts from my hands.

Anyway, I generally keep the chickers food inside and the squirrels don't usually go in there. My feathered friends stop inside when they want a bite to eat.
When I broadcast sunflower seeds or other treats outside, everybody who wants to eat eats. Chickens, squireels, blue jays, crows - whoever, whatever.

My run is covered with chicken wire so whenever I do confine them to the run, they are the only ones who have access to whatever I put in there. Sound slike your setip wouldn't work with a cover like that though.

JJ

 

[Oblio13]

Brunswick Stew:


Ingredients:

3 squirrels
Flour for dredging
6 slices of bacon
2 large yellow onion, chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
1 cup diced plum tomatoes
6 cups chicken stock
2 cups dry white wine
2 bay leaves
1 cup diced red potatoes
1/2 pound young okra
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1 cup fresh lima or baby butter beans
1/2 cup diced, peeled turnip
11/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
4 tablespoons butter, cut into several pieces
salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Dredge squirrel pieces in flour and shake off the excess
In a Dutch oven, fry bacon until crispy and then remove it to a paper towel, leaving the drippings
Add the squirrel in batches to avoid crowding
Brown evenly on all sides than set aside
Put onion, garlic and tomatoes in the pot and sauté until onion is softened and starting to turn golden
Add stock, wine, bay leaves and squirrel pieces and bring to a slow simmer
Cook uncovered until the meat is tender and falling off the bone but still intact
For young grey squirrels this may take 1 hour; for older squirrels may need two
Remove the squirrel pieces, than pull meat from the bones
Skim any fat from liquid, then return the meat to the pot along with potatoes, okra, corn, beans, turnips and rosemary
Simmer until the potatoes and turnips are tender, 7 to 9 minutes
Crumble bacon and stir it into the stew
Add the butter pieces, stir until melted, and season with salt and pepper
Serve immediately

 

[valmom]

I'm not that good a shot. Although my police officer SO is.

I don't think we've reached that point yet.


Yet.

(what does squirrel taste like?)

 

[Oblio13]

Quote:
Better than weasel, raccoon, skunk, stray cat, neighbor's dog, hawk and eagle.

 

[SpottedCrow]

LOL!

I've thought squirrels suck since I had one that I chased out of the yard climb up, reach into a sparrow's nest and eat a fledgling in front of me...then he had the nerve to jump out of the tree onto Obelisk's back and start beating the snot out of her with it's furry little fists.

 

[jjthink]

Yikes Spotted! If I witnessed such horror, I would be feeling the same way! I've only ever experienced them being cute and friendly. (I have read that once in awhile they will eat live food, and it grossed me out, but I had hoped it was rare....)
JJ

 

[MissPrissy]

We had a squirrel at our townhouse. Plowed through all my plants and things on the balcony. We did the urine line to ward him off. (I know gross.) The little beast challeneged my husband and his urine by pooping on the line!

My hubby was indignant but I thought it was hysterical.

 

[Chirpy]

My dogs wouldn't let a squirrel anywhere on our property. Now, if you have trees near your chicken enclosure they could stay out of reach of dogs and still get to the feed.

 

[LisaJean]

Nice recipe, Oblio!

I wonder how safe it is to use freshly-killed road squirrels? I mean, if they aren't completely gross.

I thought of petitioning the town to rename our street "Dead Squirrel Drive," because of the number of flattened squirrels on any given day.