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Homeless Hedgehogs

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  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184

  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Any hedgehog experts opinion of this? 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    edited March 2019
    I use this. The door is low enough to let Spikey in, but not the neighbours' poxy cats
    Devon.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I think I have found something to combine feeding with possible shelter will be ordering that one I think. I know there are foxes and badgers in the area so predator proof sounds good to me 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    @debs64, this may answer some of your questions,
    https://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/top-navigation/wildlife-advice/hedgehog-fact-sheet.html
     you could contact St Tiggywinkles, or if you have a local rescue they would be only to happy to give you advice. As Hostafan1 says, they do move around between different gardens and sleep in different ones. My personal advice would be to start by clearing a small section at a time by hand. If you come across a snoozing hedgehog, leave it be, and move to another section. When hoggy wakes up around dusk, he will head off, and when you come back the next day there should be no sign of him, and you can start clearing carefully again. 
    This from the BHPS

    Hedgehogs are protected, in England, Scotland and Wales, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 6 and in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985, Schedules 6&7. What this means is they are

    protected from being killed or taken by certain methods under Section 11(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The methods listed are: self-locking snares, bows, crossbows, explosives (other than ammunition for a firearm), or live decoys. The species listed are also protected from the following activities: trap, snare or net, electrical device for killing or stunning, poisonous, poisoned or stupefying substances or any other gas or smoke, automatic or semi-automatic weapon, device for illuminating a target or sighting device for night shooting, artificial light, mirror or other dazzling device, sound recording, and mechanically propelled vehicle in immediate pursuit.”

    Hopefully your landlord is reasonable enough to see that you are taking steps to not only tidy the area, but also to help wildlife.

    With regards to your question about feeding stations, yes definitely. It's surprising how quickly they find them !

    Finally,  you may find the hedgehog thread of interest

    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/993170/help-save-the-hedgehogs-part-ii

     :) 

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I think at this time of the year hedgehogs are out or coming out of hibernation so if you provide food and alternative accommodation you should be OK.As long as you clear the area carefully hogs should be fine.If you do find one you can lift it gently (with gloves!) and put in a box filled with straw or even just an old towel and put somewhere quiet until the evening and then release.If you have a hog house ready you can put him straight inside.Hedgehogs do move about quite a bit and often don't spend 2 nights (or rather days!) in the same place.
    It is later in the year when hedgehogs are breeding and have young that you don't want to disturb them.
    Food and water is want they want now.
    Go easy and all should be fine  :)
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Thanks so much that’s really helpful will take it very carefully and have alternative accommodation and food available. Inam
    so excited to think I may have hedgehog visitors will let you know what if anything we find. Thanks again for all the advice 
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    That hog house is what the family bought me for Christmas . To make it a little more secure I have used bricks to make an entrance at right angles to the door, this helps keep cats , foxes, badgers out . I did try food in it but had problems with rats, so now the food goes out after dark and back in in the morning on a saucer in the middle of the patio with the bird bath. This seems to have stopped others pinching the Spike food, except if I'm late bringing it in and Mr Blackbird has a few. Enjoy your hogs @debs64
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    What do you feed? Have seen specific food for hedgehogs but is there an alternative? It’s a bit pricey. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited March 2019
    Any meat based dog or cat food is fine Debs (although you may find the fussy devils will let you know which ones they prefer). My local rescue even mixes them up and the hogs will eat them, although you may say they are a captive audience. 
    Dry cat biscuits as well, but under no circumstances give them dried mealworms. Oh, and a dish of water.
    You can make a feeding station from a plastic box 
    https://thehedgehog.co.uk/feeding-hedgehogs/how-to-stop-cats-dogs-and-foxes-stealing-the-hedgehogs-food/
    Edited to add, just looked out, and hedgehog is in feeding station !  :)
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