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Hedgehogs

• Message 1. 

  Posted by FleetingEileenM (U14106338) on Thursday, 2nd December 2010

  Since the spring I've been putting out hedgehog food every night under an upturned crate. A narrow tunnel with a kink leads into it which a cat would never be able to get through.
  
  The food has been disappearing every night with sometimes recently just a little bit left. The birds finish it off after I've put it out in the open.
  
  It was still there under the crate this morning so the hedgehog presumably stayed in bed. If the weather warms up a little, it may well venture out again so I shall carry on putting some out, knowing that it won't go to waste if it doesn't come.
  
  The food I use is tinned chicken chunks in jelly for cats, Spike's Dinner hard biscuits and dried mealworms.
  
  
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Digitalis lividus et niger (U8605497) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010

  I do envy you Eileen! I raised an infant hedgehog last year; he weighed only 120gm at the end of October, so i kept him awake until he weighed over a kilo, then did a "controlled release". He survived until the beginning of April, then (stupidly, I thought, but their IQ is reputed to be minimal) went into hibernation.......and died. I assumed that he'd been a Poor Doer, recognised as such by his Mum, but the hurt remained nevertheless. I continued putting food out, presented in a similar way to yours, but there were no takers. This was astounding, as we'd always had at least two "Bristles", and I felt quite bereft. Don't give up on the feeding; they don't necessarily sleep throughout the Winter, but get up occasionally for a pee and a nosey round.
  There are lots of useful sites like this one:
  
  
  Very best of luck
  Dig

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by firesprite (U14701118) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010

  I have recently been aware of the hedgehogs plight in winter.But thought it to late to do anything. But.. can you give me any advice?
  
  Thank you as I would like to help the humble hedgehog.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Sixties Relic SAVE ML (U13777237) on Thursday, 9th December 2010

  I saw one at the front of the house just before the weather got bad. So I went and bought a hedgehog house from the garden centre and stuck it in the front garden, covered in leaves.
  
  I have no idea whether a hedgehog has found it - if there is one inside, I don't want to disturb it by investigating.
  
  

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Digitalis lividus et niger (U8605497) on Thursday, 9th December 2010

  if you come across a small one, weigh it. If it weighs less than 900gm, you could bring it inside, or into a shed or greenhouse. It's important that they don't hibernate until they weigh enough, so keep it warm(ish) and fed. Despite all your efforts, some will die, but at least you'll have tried! Do read all the forums (fora?) you can find. Everyone is so very helpful. Did you know that vets are supposed to treat wild animals for free? Any box/cage you keep it in must be tall enough to be unclimbable. i learned this the harrd way, when we were going away for a few days. I put the box tenderly into the car, murmuring comforting words - to an empty box. we had to drive back 120 miles to collect him. the words then were less comforting.
  In the garden, a hedgie house is excellent. If you have a piece of sacking or something to put over in, that will help. It's a good idea to put the food into the outer compartment, where it's less likely to be stolen. I put a temporary chicken wire fence round ours, when he was first released, so that we could check on him. But of course, when they're fully free. they're in the lap of the gods.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by FleetingEileenM (U14106338) on Tuesday, 14th December 2010

  I am still putting out food for hedgehogs in the undercover feeding station. Recently it has all gone by the morning but sometimes only a little has gone and sometimes it appears to be untouched.
  
  Cats and foxes wouldn't be able to get at the food. I had been afraid that rats, which don't hibernate, might have been taking it. However, if rats were the culprits, I think it would all go every night for stashing away in their nest.
  
  When the really cold weather arrives (soon!) I shall have a peep inside the house in the undergrowth. If it is crammed to the top with leaves etc, I shall know there is a hedgehop in there, as I myself put only a little nesting material to get it started.
  
  Here's hoping!

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Digitalis lividus et niger (U8605497) on Tuesday, 14th December 2010

  One gets used to checking droppings. Rats doings are thinner and not so long as hedgies', who seem only to "go" once near the food tray. I suggest that, if you're not seeing them out during the day, they've gone to bed, and you can forget(??) them until you see a small poo. Of course, should you see a pig of any size out of the day time, you should rush out and collect it, possibly even taking it to a vet. (Check that the vet knows he's supposed to treat wildlife freely, and that he's sympathetic!!)
  But do keep an eye on the forums.
  
  Dig

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