For the first time since we moved here 4 years ago last night I witnessed a hedgehog in our garden! Took Dudley the rescue out for his last pee before bedtime and he shot straight over to an area of gravel near the conservatory and as I went over to see what the fuss was about the PIR light came on and there he / she was. Dudley didn't try and get near him but I picked the dog straight up and put him back in the house. On going back out the hedgehog had already made his 'escape'.
I'd long given up on having these amazing creatures visit as our garden is surrounded on all four sides by fencing including an electric wooden gate that leaves no gaps and therefore entry or exit paths although the gate is open during the day and till late evening so they can pass to an extent. However a few weeks ago I noticed that something, which I assumed to be a rat (we have had occasional rats in the past) had created an opening under one of the gravel boards. This is in an area of the garden where I had put two log piles of which Dudley has been showing some interest of late. I had actually put rat traps down (in a tunnel created with bricks so no other animals could reach the trap) but these haven't been touched. So now I'm thinking this gap under the gravel boards could have been created by the hedgehogs and that they are spending time in the log pile.
At this time of year I imagine they have plentiful supplies of food so I don't plan on doing anything other than hope I see them again, oh and try and ensure Dudley is not over-interested or harasses them.
As a post script to my earlier post we yesterday found some hedgehog poo in the garden so it seems the little critter is still around and maybe even making our place his / her home. Might try with some food to see if they're interested but I'm mindful that we've had the occasional rat in the past and we don't want to encourage them where possible.
Give it a go Dave, the hogs will reward you with their presence & endless evening viewings listening to their snuffles. If rats reappear, you can always take away the food.
Lots of young ones leaving the nest, I'm trying to feed mine up so they are able to hibernate successfully (500-600g otherwise overwintering) come autumn, which this year seems to be encroaching too fast for my liking. The colder nights are kicking in here
Yes, do feed them Dave, Mark is right, they do need feeding up ready for hibernation in perhaps two months time depending on the weather temperatures. We now give our hedgehogs either especially formulated hedgehog food or a mix of cat biscuits and some seeds and nuts (but not too many) as we still want them to feed on the slugs and other insects too, oh and a bowl of fresh water, they usually like to have a drink too.
I'd long given up on having hedgehogs as I have a walled garden in Ipswich, but it would appear that two have managed to limbo under the gate and move into my shed! I have a stray cat that lives in the shed, when I went out to feed him one night, I found a hedgehog eating his leftovers! Next night there were two! Its a block shed the size of two garages, lots of stuff in there for them to snuggle in and nose around and always a surplus of food and water. I've certainty noticed a reduction in slugs and snails also!
I'm new to having hedgehogs but grew up in a Suffolk village so am a country girl but any advice is welcome! Thank you!
It's great isn't it when you find these wee creatures living close by? To ensure they have enough food in preparation for hibernation, you can always place some in an area which the cat can't access ie under a slab/wood with an opening no larger than 12cms square. There are "igloo" feeders sold online and lots of info on making a feeding station yourself. That way both hogs and cat are fed!
Hi Clathymacd, thanks for the tip we have a local disability group that make garden furniture and bird boxes, there just started doing hedgehog houses as Ipswich is a hedgehog friendly town with its own hedgehog officer! amazing the things you learn when you have a need to look into something that you've not investigated before! Think I may invest in line of their houses as its a great cause and are really lovely little houses.
I have to confess to encouraging the stray cat to move in to the house, he's warming to the idea and is sprawled out on the spare bed with our other cat as I type! All to give the hedgehogs more space you understand! well that's what hubby thinks!
Of course that's what your other half thinks! Did not know there was such a person as a hedgehog officer - lucky you. I don't think there are many councils which are as enlightened. We also have a local disability group as well as a couple of social enterprises so I might suggest that they start a new line in hedgehog houses and feeders. Think they could do very well!
Apparently there are four hedgehog officers in the country, not sure where the others are but we have one in Ipswich! This is costing a fortune in cat biscuits! oh well, I don't need slug and snail control! Not that I'd ever use it!
Sounds brill Wonky. They need all the help they can get from animals lovers I also recommend the home-made feeding stations. I place mine against a shed or garage with a hog sized gap. Cat food all round here
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As a post script to my earlier post we yesterday found some hedgehog poo in the garden so it seems the little critter is still around and maybe even making our place his / her home. Might try with some food to see if they're interested but I'm mindful that we've had the occasional rat in the past and we don't want to encourage them where possible.
I had 2 the other night, both on the small side.
They're coming just as it gets dark, around 9.30 ish.
Give it a go Dave, the hogs will reward you with their presence & endless evening viewings listening to their snuffles. If rats reappear, you can always take away the food.
Lots of young ones leaving the nest, I'm trying to feed mine up so they are able to hibernate successfully (500-600g otherwise overwintering) come autumn, which this year seems to be encroaching too fast for my liking. The colder nights are kicking in here
Last edited: 15 August 2017 12:18:08
Yes, do feed them Dave, Mark is right, they do need feeding up ready for hibernation in perhaps two months time depending on the weather temperatures. We now give our hedgehogs either especially formulated hedgehog food or a mix of cat biscuits and some seeds and nuts (but not too many) as we still want them to feed on the slugs and other insects too, oh and a bowl of fresh water, they usually like to have a drink too.
Hello, thought I'd join the club!
I'd long given up on having hedgehogs as I have a walled garden in Ipswich, but it would appear that two have managed to limbo under the gate and move into my shed!
I have a stray cat that lives in the shed, when I went out to feed him one night, I found a hedgehog eating his leftovers! Next night there were two! Its a block shed the size of two garages, lots of stuff in there for them to snuggle in and nose around and always a surplus of food and water. I've certainty noticed a reduction in slugs and snails also!
I'm new to having hedgehogs but grew up in a Suffolk village so am a country girl but any advice is welcome! Thank you!
It's great isn't it when you find these wee creatures living close by? To ensure they have enough food in preparation for hibernation, you can always place some in an area which the cat can't access ie under a slab/wood with an opening no larger than 12cms square. There are "igloo" feeders sold online and lots of info on making a feeding station yourself. That way both hogs and cat are fed!
Hi Clathymacd, thanks for the tip
we have a local disability group that make garden furniture and bird boxes, there just started doing hedgehog houses as Ipswich is a hedgehog friendly town with its own hedgehog officer! 
amazing the things you learn when you have a need to look into something that you've not investigated before! Think I may invest in line of their houses as its a great cause and are really lovely little houses.
I have to confess to encouraging the stray cat to move in to the house, he's warming to the idea and is sprawled out on the spare bed with our other cat as I type! All to give the hedgehogs more space you understand!
well that's what hubby thinks! 
Of course that's what your other half thinks!
Did not know there was such a person as a hedgehog officer - lucky you. I don't think there are many councils which are as enlightened. We also have a local disability group as well as a couple of social enterprises so I might suggest that they start a new line in hedgehog houses and feeders. Think they could do very well!
Apparently there are four hedgehog officers in the country, not sure where the others are but we have one in Ipswich! This is costing a fortune in cat biscuits!
oh well, I don't need slug and snail control! Not that I'd ever use it!
Sounds brill Wonky. They need all the help they can get from animals lovers
I also recommend the home-made feeding stations. I place mine against a shed or garage with a hog sized gap. Cat food all round here 