They will find food. You could leave bowls of water around the garden in shady places maybe, and if you have a neighbour coming in to pick up post, draw curtains etc. you could maybe ask them just to top up the water now and again if we have hot weather like recently. Maybe spread the word to any neighbours you think would be interested, and set up a "hedgehog highway".
My only other comment would be please don't even add a few mealworms to the food. I know it's tempting to add a few as a "garnish", l used to do it myself, but mealworms are a big no. If you feed the birds with them, please sweep up any that are left on the ground each evening before the hedgehogs appear. As you say, they have a dreadful effect on hedgehog teeth and bones, and lead to death. https://www.pricklesandpaws.org/blog/2019/2/1/feeding-advice
You'll find lots of information on the British Hedgehog Preservation Society website about caring for our prickly friends 🦔 https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/
Thank you all for your reassurance. They love the mixture we put out and I’ve stopped the mealworms completely. We put out 4 small dishes every night and they scoff the lot. We have seen 4 at any one time, but believe more may come in the early hours. Thanks again everyone 🦔 Pauline
With regard to the withdrawal of certain cat foods due to safety concerns, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society has requested that they are not used in the feeding of hedgehogs, at least for the time being, until further research has taken place. A list of the cat foods concerned can be found here
I have seen my first solo baby hedgehog of the year. A bit later this year than last. The adult hogs must have had a good summer, as they are looking fat and healthy. They should have no trouble hibernating this year.
There is a local pet shop whose owners are my friends. I have taken their advice and I buy special hedgehog biscuits with all the vitamins and nutrition they need which I sprinkle in plant patches I love around the garden where he (and maybe his family -- I won't know until I put a camera down somewhere) hunts for slugs and, I'm told, beetles. Not too much, because I want him to hunt those creepers and crawlers, his natural diet.
I have a security camera with motion detection that goes on at night. They can catch Foxie, but not the hedgehogs.
That's great @purplerallim. Nice when they've had a chance to get to a good size, well in advance. The local hogs round here have clearly found a new home, as the hog house wasn't used last winter. The bees didn't use it either - or the pine moths. I was concerned that our horrible dry summer would make it difficult for them getting into the ground for beetles etc, but the good ol' clay was still perfectly accessible.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Am yet to see if my hog houses will be used this year, as they don't settle in till late Autumn. Last year's went on their way late spring, I am convinced they were both male, so the clean houses are ready for new occupants. 😀
I'm ever hopeful that one or two will make their way in and use the house I lovingly made for the ungrateful little sods... Yes - it would be later for them here too, but we have so much suitable cover for them round here, that there's tons of places for them to hibernate. The ones I had a few years ago had been displaced from along the road - I think because the people had a new fence done, and they were possibly under the adjacent shed. They made their home in behind some shrubs in my garden instead. Mum and two little'uns.
All good fun though. I think the mice made good use of the house last year
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
They will find food. You could leave bowls of water around the garden in shady places maybe, and if you have a neighbour coming in to pick up post, draw curtains etc. you could maybe ask them just to top up the water now and again if we have hot weather like recently.
Maybe spread the word to any neighbours you think would be interested, and set up a "hedgehog highway".
My only other comment would be please don't even add a few mealworms to the food. I know it's tempting to add a few as a "garnish", l used to do it myself, but mealworms are a big no.
If you feed the birds with them, please sweep up any that are left on the ground each evening before the hedgehogs appear. As you say, they have a dreadful effect on hedgehog teeth and bones, and lead to death.
https://www.pricklesandpaws.org/blog/2019/2/1/feeding-advice
You'll find lots of information on the British Hedgehog Preservation Society website about caring for our prickly friends
https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/
Thanks again everyone 🦔 Pauline
A list of the cat foods concerned can be found here
Fold Hill Foods recall several cat food products because of safety concerns | Food Standards Agency
The adult hogs must have had a good summer, as they are looking fat and healthy. They should have no trouble hibernating this year.
I have a security camera with motion detection that goes on at night. They can catch Foxie, but not the hedgehogs.
The local hogs round here have clearly found a new home, as the hog house wasn't used last winter. The bees didn't use it either - or the pine moths.
I was concerned that our horrible dry summer would make it difficult for them getting into the ground for beetles etc, but the good ol' clay was still perfectly accessible.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes - it would be later for them here too, but we have so much suitable cover for them round here, that there's tons of places for them to hibernate. The ones I had a few years ago had been displaced from along the road - I think because the people had a new fence done, and they were possibly under the adjacent shed. They made their home in behind some shrubs in my garden instead. Mum and two little'uns.
All good fun though. I think the mice made good use of the house last year
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...