You will often see people having very heated debates on what type of ‘feed’ to put in their squirrel feeders. I’ll be honest, it often makes me smile. To truly understand the way forward here we need to consult the science and not some FaceTube numpty – who may well be enjoying some success, but alas is far from optimised in their approach. You can see this when they boast about how many they cull on every session, year after year, which begs the serious question as to why the numbers are not coming down! 
Now, I’m not arguing against success, and every grey counts, but most of us have lives outside of shooting. We have families, work commitments, and the general noise of life. Therefore, to my mind our time spent on the greys needs to be optimised as much as possible and we all have limitations on us in terms of time and finances. So it’s a balancing act. That being said I thought I’d put this together for members as we often get newbies asking about what to use in a feeder. OK, now the science bit for those interested……
Scientific research has demonstrated that Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) generally follow the Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT), which predicts that they will maximise energy intake while minimising the effort taken to obtain the food and the risk involved in getting it. Although there is still debate in the field on various details, the foraging behaviours of the grey squirrel align very well with the key principles of the theory. It goes something like this (taken from various sources):
How Grey Squirrels Exhibit Optimal Foraging:
Now, debate rages in shooting circles re maize and wheat. But the answer is, and always has been, in the scope of the OFT as outlined above. Grey squirrels can eat maize and wheat, but their preference for these foods depends on availability and competition with other food sources. Squirrels strongly prefer energy-dense foods like nuts and seeds, with peanuts, acorns, and sunflower seeds being top choices. Peanuts are high in fat and protein, making them more attractive than maize or wheat, which are starch-heavy but lower in fat. The reality is, squirrels will eat maize and wheat if other high-fat foods are unavailable. Studies have shown that maize, in particular, is ignored unless other food is scarce. Some studies suggest that squirrels may discard maize kernels after testing them if better food options are nearby – so they will investigate such foods, but then move on and not return. In harsh winters, when natural food is scarce, squirrels are less picky and will eat whatever is available (or in woodlands that do not produce viable alternatives).
Ultimately, grey squirrels prioritise nuts and seeds based on caloric density, fat content, and protein levels. Here’s a general ranking of nuts and seeds in terms of caloric intake and preference, from highest energy yield (most preferred) to lowest (taken from various sources):
1. High-Calorie, High-Fat, High-Preference Nuts:
These provide the most energy per gram and are highly favoured due to their caloric fat and protein content.
Walnuts (~654 kcal/100g, ~65% fat) – Extremely high in fat and energy, often cached if shelled.
Pine Nuts – (673 kcal/100g ~ 68% fat) Extremely high in fat content / very energy dense.
Hazelnuts (~628 kcal/100g, ~61% fat) – High preference due to oil-rich content.
Pecans (~691 kcal/100g, ~72% fat) – Highest fat content; very energy-dense.
Almonds (~579 kcal/100g, ~50% fat) – Nutritious but harder to process than some other nuts.
Peanuts (~567 kcal/100g, ~49% fat) – Readily eaten due to availability and high protein.
2. Moderately High-Calorie Nuts & Seeds:
Still preferred, but not as energy-dense as the first group.
Sunflower Seeds (~584 kcal/100g, ~51% fat) – Highly attractive; commonly eaten.
Pumpkin Seeds (~446 kcal/100g, ~19% fat) – Less fat but still eaten regularly.
Acorns (~387 kcal/100g, ~24% fat, variable tannins) – Squirrels prefer white acorns (lower tannins) over red acorns (bitter).
3. Lower-Calorie, Less Preferred Seeds & Grains:
More starchy and lower in fat; consumed mainly when better food is scarce.
Maize/Corn (~365 kcal/100g, ~4.7% fat) – Eaten occasionally but less preferred due to low fat. Can be completely ignored.
Wheat (~340 kcal/100g, ~2% fat) – Consumed only when other foods are unavailable – otherwise can be completely ignored.
Key Takeaways:
High-fat nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts) are the most preferred and often cached if shelled.
Peanuts and sunflower seeds are highly favoured and commonly eaten.
Acorns are eaten selectively, white acorns preferred over bitter red acorns. Red acorns can be cached as the bitter tannins mellow over time.
Grains like maize and wheat are last-resort foods and usually ignored if better options exist.
Caveat: Grey squirrels are also stimulated by rummaging (through a feed ‘mix’) and nibbling through outer shells of nuts. This can accelerate their vigour at ensuring your feeder is an important spot to visit. Adding some cracked shelled nuts the night before or on the day of shooting can bring them in and keep them on the feeder for longer. Cracking the shell means the squirrel will assess the nut and will know it will not survive being buried – so it should not run off with it – but sit and eat it, giving you all the time you need.
I hope this helps. If you are on a budget, and it works in your shooting setting, maize and wheat etc will bring them in if nothing else is around (this is an integral part of the OFT). But it’s not optimised. Generally speaking, they will come in stronger, in greater numbers, from further afield and more enthusiastically for nuts and seeds with greater caloric value – it’s worth the energy investment and the risk from their point of view. Ultimately, although lots of feeds may ‘work’ (to some degree), you’ll get more greys sooner with greater caloric feeds. Best of luck with your efforts.
Edited for typos.
Now, I’m not arguing against success, and every grey counts, but most of us have lives outside of shooting. We have families, work commitments, and the general noise of life. Therefore, to my mind our time spent on the greys needs to be optimised as much as possible and we all have limitations on us in terms of time and finances. So it’s a balancing act. That being said I thought I’d put this together for members as we often get newbies asking about what to use in a feeder. OK, now the science bit for those interested……Scientific research has demonstrated that Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) generally follow the Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT), which predicts that they will maximise energy intake while minimising the effort taken to obtain the food and the risk involved in getting it. Although there is still debate in the field on various details, the foraging behaviours of the grey squirrel align very well with the key principles of the theory. It goes something like this (taken from various sources):
How Grey Squirrels Exhibit Optimal Foraging:
- Energy Maximization vs. Effort
- Grey squirrels prioritise high-energy foods like acorns, nuts, and seeds, which provide long-term caloric benefits.They often cache food for later use, reducing future foraging effort and risk.
- Patch Selection
- Squirrels assess food patches based on abundance, quality, and predation risk.
- They prefer dense food sources but will move to another area if depletion makes foraging inefficient.
- Risk vs. Reward (Predation Trade-off)
- Squirrels adjust feeding behaviour depending on predator presence. In high-risk areas, they grab food and retreat to cover rather than eating in the open.
- In low-risk areas, they may stay and consume food on-site, maximising intake efficiency.
- Handling Time and Energy Return
- They select foods based on ease of processing, favouring acorns and nuts that can be quickly stored or consumed. They may discard less nutritious items if higher-value food is available, consistent with profitability models in OFT.
- Seasonal Adjustments
- In autumn, squirrels increase caching behaviours to prepare for winter scarcity. In spring and summer, when food is more available, they may forage more selectively.
Now, debate rages in shooting circles re maize and wheat. But the answer is, and always has been, in the scope of the OFT as outlined above. Grey squirrels can eat maize and wheat, but their preference for these foods depends on availability and competition with other food sources. Squirrels strongly prefer energy-dense foods like nuts and seeds, with peanuts, acorns, and sunflower seeds being top choices. Peanuts are high in fat and protein, making them more attractive than maize or wheat, which are starch-heavy but lower in fat. The reality is, squirrels will eat maize and wheat if other high-fat foods are unavailable. Studies have shown that maize, in particular, is ignored unless other food is scarce. Some studies suggest that squirrels may discard maize kernels after testing them if better food options are nearby – so they will investigate such foods, but then move on and not return. In harsh winters, when natural food is scarce, squirrels are less picky and will eat whatever is available (or in woodlands that do not produce viable alternatives).
Ultimately, grey squirrels prioritise nuts and seeds based on caloric density, fat content, and protein levels. Here’s a general ranking of nuts and seeds in terms of caloric intake and preference, from highest energy yield (most preferred) to lowest (taken from various sources):
1. High-Calorie, High-Fat, High-Preference Nuts:
These provide the most energy per gram and are highly favoured due to their caloric fat and protein content.
Walnuts (~654 kcal/100g, ~65% fat) – Extremely high in fat and energy, often cached if shelled.
Pine Nuts – (673 kcal/100g ~ 68% fat) Extremely high in fat content / very energy dense.
Hazelnuts (~628 kcal/100g, ~61% fat) – High preference due to oil-rich content.
Pecans (~691 kcal/100g, ~72% fat) – Highest fat content; very energy-dense.
Almonds (~579 kcal/100g, ~50% fat) – Nutritious but harder to process than some other nuts.
Peanuts (~567 kcal/100g, ~49% fat) – Readily eaten due to availability and high protein.
2. Moderately High-Calorie Nuts & Seeds:
Still preferred, but not as energy-dense as the first group.
Sunflower Seeds (~584 kcal/100g, ~51% fat) – Highly attractive; commonly eaten.
Pumpkin Seeds (~446 kcal/100g, ~19% fat) – Less fat but still eaten regularly.
Acorns (~387 kcal/100g, ~24% fat, variable tannins) – Squirrels prefer white acorns (lower tannins) over red acorns (bitter).
3. Lower-Calorie, Less Preferred Seeds & Grains:
More starchy and lower in fat; consumed mainly when better food is scarce.
Maize/Corn (~365 kcal/100g, ~4.7% fat) – Eaten occasionally but less preferred due to low fat. Can be completely ignored.
Wheat (~340 kcal/100g, ~2% fat) – Consumed only when other foods are unavailable – otherwise can be completely ignored.
Key Takeaways:
High-fat nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts) are the most preferred and often cached if shelled.
Peanuts and sunflower seeds are highly favoured and commonly eaten.
Acorns are eaten selectively, white acorns preferred over bitter red acorns. Red acorns can be cached as the bitter tannins mellow over time.
Grains like maize and wheat are last-resort foods and usually ignored if better options exist.
Caveat: Grey squirrels are also stimulated by rummaging (through a feed ‘mix’) and nibbling through outer shells of nuts. This can accelerate their vigour at ensuring your feeder is an important spot to visit. Adding some cracked shelled nuts the night before or on the day of shooting can bring them in and keep them on the feeder for longer. Cracking the shell means the squirrel will assess the nut and will know it will not survive being buried – so it should not run off with it – but sit and eat it, giving you all the time you need.
I hope this helps. If you are on a budget, and it works in your shooting setting, maize and wheat etc will bring them in if nothing else is around (this is an integral part of the OFT). But it’s not optimised. Generally speaking, they will come in stronger, in greater numbers, from further afield and more enthusiastically for nuts and seeds with greater caloric value – it’s worth the energy investment and the risk from their point of view. Ultimately, although lots of feeds may ‘work’ (to some degree), you’ll get more greys sooner with greater caloric feeds. Best of luck with your efforts.
Edited for typos.
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