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More Hedgehog advice please

1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 170
in Wildlife gardening
I've been feeding hedgehogs for most of the year now but had given up hope that one would hibernate in the box. As I went to check the wildlife camera near the box this morning I noticed that a lot of leaves had been moved into the box's doorway and there were leaves inside and the bedding had all been rearranged.

Not sure now if I should put any food into the box or simply leave everything as it is? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd leave it. It looks as if you'll be lucky, and have one using the bed for hibernation, but when they hibernate depends largely on your local climate/conditions. It might be using it occasionally, or just checking out the suitability. Fingers crossed though  :)
    Even so - in mild spells they can wake and have something to eat. If you have a safe spot to leave food, you can do that, but check that it's actually being eaten- by the hogs, not the cats, which is what happens here  :|
    As you have a camera though - you can keep a close eye on who is going in and out  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 170
    Thanks for the help.

    When I feed the hedgehogs I put the dry food inside the box away from the cats and the only other thing that gets at it is a field mouse who nips in rather furtively and steals the occasional biscuit.
    Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You're fortunate that cats don't get in. No matter what I do to deter them, they get into the hog house. Even with a convoluted, maze like entrance system. They're unbelievably persistent round here, and out at all times of day and night  :|

    I hope you get a little resident - lovely to have them in the garden. At least the mice don't eat too much   ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Excellent news @1945crewood :)
    As long as any visiting hedgehogs know where the food is, they will keep on visiting 🦔. 
    The only other thing l would say is to make sure there is a supply of fresh water available. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Indeed @AnniD - I should have said that about the water  :)
    In frozen conditions - especially if ground is frozen for more than  a few days, trays of water freeze very quickly. If you have a pond that has safe access, that will be fine unless you get long term icy conditions. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 1945crewood1945crewood Posts: 170
    There is water outside the box at all times. Thanks again for all the help and advice, really appreciated.
    Mother Nature don't straight lines, Broken moulds in a grand design, We look a mess but we're doing fine, We're card carrying lifelong members of the Union Of Different Kinds.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I have found putting food into the house didn't work for me, they tended to stay away or only visit. After making a separate feeding station,  I realised multiple hogs were visiting and the house was being used as a resting place. The following year two hogs took up residence in adjacent houses. It may take time, but if you persevere they will come @1945crewood   .😁
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