We use Spikes or RSPB hedgehog food because it doesn't smell too strongly unlike meat based foods which seem to not only attract vermin, cats and flies, but also need replacing if any is left untouched (not much chance of that). The dried biscuit type food is far more economical in the long run.
I only put meal worms out for the birds in small amounts in a feeder from October till January as if they try to feed babies with them it can choke them. This means it's less likely that hogs will eat any as they should be hibernating most of that time.
I thought the same @purplerallim. l was reading on in the hope of some details, but no joy. I will have to try some detective work. Edited to add, l have had a look on her Facebook page, and although her recent posts refer to this "mystery illness" as far as l can see, there are no details of the symptoms . A general search reveals nothing, l might try contacting the BHPS to see if they can shed any light.
Last night had 3 of them, 2 feed together hadn't seen them for a while, thought that they split up.
Last year I made a hibernating nest for them out of branches,twigs and leaves. Don't know if they used it but going to make another to go with it. Going to get a piece of pipe for the 2 entrances.
Morning all, a very sad morning here for me. Our neighbours are away so I went to put their wheelie bin back for them and notice that on their next door neighbors (2 doors down from me) lawn was a hedgehog so thinking that should be out this time of the day I went to look. I felt and still do feel physically sick, this poor hedgehog was dead and had no face at all. They were out there last night just after 8 30pm cutting the lawn and must have cought it and just left it to dye. I have left a note asking them to be careful and to check the area before using a strimmer as this can be the result. I pointed out that hedgehogs number are getting very low and the are gardeners friends. I'm so angry and upset.
Thanks Lagan4, very upsetting, I don't want to see that again. I'm left wondering if it was one of the ones we had in our garden. We found a mother and two babies earlier in the year while moving a slab and I quickly covered them with a big sheet of wood and there remained there. I have been feeding them every night but not all the food went last night that's why I'm wondering if it was the one in our garden. We are almost sure there is another family of them in the garden as two feeding station are normally both empty by the morning. I have three hog houses that I built and the are hidden around the garden.
Posts
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-49498137
Edited to add, l have had a look on her Facebook page, and although her recent posts refer to this "mystery illness" as far as l can see, there are no details of the symptoms . A general search reveals nothing, l might try contacting the BHPS to see if they can shed any light.