CrazyDaizy Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Hia Folks Havent noticed if we chat about Hedgehogs on here. There's a hedgehog in our neighbourhood, and last night we saw him again. He was on the shared drive that we have with the neighbours. My husband nearly ran over it!! So, we decided to bring it from the front of the house to the back of the house. We have a lovely garden with lots of trees and shrubs. We thought he would be safer there. It's quite secure as we let our Rabbit free range with the Chickens. However, I am now concerned we may have moved him away from any family he might already have, or away from his normal routines. He only looks a young hedgehog. What's the best thing to do? Are we ok to keep him in our garden do you think? Thanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 hmmm, I dont know much about hodgehegs (except they are lovely ) they eat cat food - dont give them bread and milk, it kills them. i think they can walk quite far too, if youve only moved him from the front to the back of the house, give him some dinner, I would guess that he will be able to find his way back (but he may stay for more dinner ) good luck have you tried hedgehogs to the rescue (or should that be hedgehog rescue ) cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDaizy Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 Thanx for that. We do have our garden "bunny proof" (hopefully!!) so our rabbit cannot escape, though bunny is loads bigger (size of a cat!) than the little hedgehog, so hopefully Mrs Tiggywinkle will find her way out somehow. I know milk+bread is not good. Forgot to buy catfood today! Gave it some ham last night and that soon went. Not sure ham's a good idea tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Hedgehogs are lovely and I can understand your concern and desire to protect. However they can travel for long distances in an evening and by putting this one in your garden you could be keeping it from a mate or family (having said that I am not sure of their breeding season). If this hedgepig can escape from your garden this is fine but if it can't you really should give it an escape option. Food wise it is best to stick to cat food or mealworms. Don't overdo it though as you dont want to make it too reliant on you. Increasing food prior to hibernation though can increase it's chances of getting through the winter. (if you can dogs and cats make sure they are flea and tick protected ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 A whole army of hedgehogs troop through our garden on a nightly basis and some stay and use the nestboxes we provide. We feed them Spikes Dinner or dried mealworms. Plus the slugs, snails and other yummies they find. Hubby's made them a cat proof/hen proof/rain proof feeding station. Meat based cat food is also good. It is likely that hedgehogs will be raising young hoglets at this time of year and some may have a second litter in the autumn. Hedgehogs need all the help they can get - as many as 80% are killed or injured on the roads or by lawnmowers, strimmers and general litter etc. That said you should never move a hedgehog if possible exactly for the reasons said by Chucky Mama. Obviously if it's injured that's different of course (and if you find any really small hedgehogs from late October onwards). Just to be clear on the flea question. Hedgehog fleas are special to the hedgehog and do not normally live on any other animal. It is unlikely that any fleas your cat or dog might encounter have come from our hedgie friends. Lots more useful information at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
