Egluntyne Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Am picking up my foster hedgehog tomorrow. There was an appeal in the local paper a couple of months ago for people willing to foster hedgehogs which were either injured or were last years juveniles which had not put on enough weight to hibernate successfully. I applied, had a home visit and interview and I am collecting him tomorrow. My son has whimsically named him 'Quill.i.am'. It has cost me a fortune to set things up, ie a house and a run and various food bowls, food etc. I have to feed and water him every evening and clean him out regularly. When he is up to it, he will be allowed out of the run to forage for himself, and hopefully will return to his house. One interesting fact I have picked up is that no more than 5% of a hedgehog's diet should be slugs, as they harbour lung worm, which makes them very ill indeed. Anyone citing that they want to offer a hedgehog a home to clear the garden of slugs is shown the door pretty quickly by most rescue centres apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 That's brilliant - how exciting! did you have to have your garden inspected first for suitability? I would love to have a hedgehog in my garden, but haven't seen one. Do post a picture when Quill.i.am has settled in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Fabulous news Eggers, glad that it's come to fruition after the wait. You'll enjoy being #ward sister' again I expect photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I would love to foster a hedgehog, lucky you. Great name. Do you know how long you will have him for? Good luck. If possible, can we have a photo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 What a really lovely thing to, I am quite envious as I love hedgehogs, have seen them in the garden occasionally but not for a while. Love to see a photo of him as well. I wonder if he will become tame or are you not allowed to encourage that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 I did have my garden 'inspected'. It has to have gaps for them to wander. Apparently they cover quite a distance at night. I was also asked a few questions, and given a few tips. We are not supposed to get too friendly with them, the aim is to get them back to as natural a life as possible. Hopefully he will come back to his house when he is well enough to go out and about. It may turn out that he is not going to be able to wander after all - we'll just have to see. In which case I would have to arrange holiday cover to see that he is fed and watered daily. It is a commitment not to be taken lightly. A bit like keeping chickens . There are several hedgehog forums. I've dipped a toe into one of them. Some strong characters with decidedly forthright views out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Some strong characters with decidedly forthright views out there. Not like any of us on here then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 The name is inspired You will love being a foster mum, hedgepigs are so lovely. Are you allowed to feed them dried mealworm? Ours have always really enjoyed them. Can't wait to see some photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Yes to the mealworms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 That's fab news and a fab name too We used to have a regular hedgehog visitor to our garden for a few years, stopped a couple of years back so I suspect he's probably gone to the great hibernation in the sky Can't wait to hear about his progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 That's fab news and a fab name too We used to have a regular hedgehog visitor to our garden for a few years, stopped a couple of years back so I suspect he's probably gone to the great hibernation in the sky Can't wait to hear about his progress We had one but it disappeared too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Lovely name - I love hedgehogs - must get some piccies of the new resident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 He's settled in ...I've jut been out to check on him and he's out in the run eating very noisily. I took a couple of pics and will upload them tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 can't wait to see them Rosie now wants us to foster one... it's not really on with the hounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 We see hedgehogs quite a lot and when we took our old wooden shed down found one curled up fast asleep in the corner, can't believe he didn't wake up. Put a halt to our proceedings until we had made a "home" that we could pop over him when we lifted up the base. Again, he didn't wake, you could see him breathing under the leaves. He stayed in his new home for quite a few weeks, but think he must have found a lady friend and went to move in, he was spotted with a friend by my dad a couple of times. We left the box for a few months but he didn't return. Dunc is fasinated by them, we see them sometimes whilst out walking, but I won't let him get too close! Thats a lovely idea, fostering them, good luck and look forward to seeing the photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmac Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Definitely need photos! I love hedgehogs. I have two in the house - don't worry, I'm not breaking the law, they're african pygmy hedgehogs! Gorgeous! I'm planning to do some fundraising in the near future for our local hedgehog rescue. Well done for volunteering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share Posted May 23, 2012 This is Quill.i.am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 very sweet, got any of his beady little eyes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Ahhh, bless him We used to have a hedgehog pre chickens that visited us, next door and then across the road. He used to leave us little poos on the driveway Not seen it for ages though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 He is so sweet and lucky to have a home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazmac Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Aw, look at him! He's lovely! Wee soul! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 Awww. How lovely to have a hedgehog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 We used to see hedgehogs in the garden frequently but haven't for at least a couple of years. Until last night, as I was shutting the chickens up, one very fat, busy hedgehog bustled past me on his/her way to somewhere important - so hopefully they are back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 We used to see hedgehogs in the garden frequently but haven't for at least a couple of years. Until last night, as I was shutting the chickens up, one very fat, busy hedgehog bustled past me on his/her way to somewhere important - so hopefully they are back! Bit like the cuckoo I have heard recently; not heard one for more than 20 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share Posted May 24, 2012 We used to see hedgehogs in the garden frequently but haven't for at least a couple of years. Until last night, as I was shutting the chickens up, one very fat, busy hedgehog bustled past me on his/her way to somewhere important - so hopefully they are back! Oh ... lovely! I can see I'm going to become a hedgehog bore, churning out facts etc, but what the heck ....... Hedgehogs are now on the UK endangered species list, along with Cuckoos . The hedgehog population has reduced in numbers in the past 10 years by 25-30%, depending on which literature you read. * Check your compost heap before you turn its contents. * Check bonfires before lighting them. * Check long grass before mowing, and especially before strimming. * In this hot weather, leave dishes of water around the garden for hedgehogs and other wildlife which may be struggling in the heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
