Well, Horace has definitely set up residence and we now see him quite regularly and with the dew on the grass now we also see his track marks. He seems to be enjoying the food we put out (Spikes) but so do the giant slugs! I was wondering if I put a ring of copper tape around the feeding bowl whether this would deter the slugs? Or would Horace consider the slugs as an additional food source and therefore I should just leave as is?
Good news then Dave. Spike's is great and the slugs may have to be tolerated. Generally, hogs only eat slugs as a back up when little else is available and as a result they are only 5-10% of their overall diet. You could try the copper, I'd be interested to see if it works? Certainly saves culling them from the plants with a sharp pair of scissors.
I think our hedgehog visits are dropping off too Philippa, although we had two new arrivals delivered last evening. I hope they find a safe warm hibernating place, at least they were a good weight when they arrived here.
Still very mild at night here but well worth weighing hogs to see if they are at least 500g-600g for hibernation. Very often they disappear before we get the chance. Continue to provide cat biscuits and/or wet food until it stops being eaten.
Another interesting post re: mealworms and their impact on calcium bone deficiency.
You are lucky Dave, haven't seen "our" hedgehog for weeks, & no signs of poo or any other clues that he/she is still around.
Took a hedgehog that was out in the day in my parents-in-laws garden to local hedgehog rescue, but sadly he didn't survive. My only consolation is that at least he didn't suffer.
Remember folks, spread the word - if they're out during the day, they need help
We haven't seen our hedgehogs or fresh poo for a week or so now either, surely far too early to have hibernated? We have set the hh house in the front garden where it will be less likely to be disturbed, do hope they are safe wherever they are. Picture taken earlier this month.
Took a sneaky peek into the house we purchased for 'Horace' a few weeks back and there he was curled up sound asleep in a hub of leaves. I'm assuming he's not yet hibernating just taking a kip. The food is still being eaten.
Perfect Dave, where are you located again? If anywhere near the South East the nights are still in double figures so I'd expect them to keep bulking Last year mine disappeared early November
Hi Mark, yes I'm in Southern Hants near the coast. Very mild here. Just cut the lawn again which is still growing like mad. He doesn't seem too put off that our rescue dog has given him a barking too a few times in the evenings! I try and give the hog advance warning by turning the outside lights on before taking Dudley out for his late night ablutions but terriers are terriers lol.
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Well, Horace has definitely set up residence and we now see him quite regularly and with the dew on the grass now we also see his track marks. He seems to be enjoying the food we put out (Spikes) but so do the giant slugs! I was wondering if I put a ring of copper tape around the feeding bowl whether this would deter the slugs? Or would Horace consider the slugs as an additional food source and therefore I should just leave as is?
Good news then Dave.
Spike's is great and the slugs may have to be tolerated. Generally, hogs only eat slugs as a back up when little else is available and as a result they are only 5-10% of their overall diet. You could try the copper, I'd be interested to see if it works? Certainly saves culling them from the plants with a sharp pair of scissors. 
I think our hedgehog visits are dropping off too Philippa, although we had two new arrivals delivered last evening. I hope they find a safe warm hibernating place, at least they were a good weight when they arrived here.
Still stopping by for food GD?
Still very mild at night here but well worth weighing hogs to see if they are at least 500g-600g for hibernation. Very often they disappear before we get the chance. Continue to provide cat biscuits and/or wet food until it stops being eaten.
Another interesting post re: mealworms and their impact on calcium bone deficiency.
https://www.facebook.com/Hedgehog.Bottom/posts/1561122477243812
'Horace' is still in residence here. Food still being eaten daily and we see him every other evening or so.
Will be interesting to see if he uses the palatial home I purchased for him for his winter hibernation!
You are lucky Dave, haven't seen "our" hedgehog for weeks, & no signs of poo or any other clues that he/she is still around.
Took a hedgehog that was out in the day in my parents-in-laws garden to local hedgehog rescue, but sadly he didn't survive. My only consolation is that at least he didn't suffer.
Remember folks, spread the word - if they're out during the day, they need help
We haven't seen our hedgehogs or fresh poo for a week or so now either, surely far too early to have hibernated? We have set the hh house in the front garden where it will be less likely to be disturbed, do hope they are safe wherever they are.
Picture taken earlier this month.
Took a sneaky peek into the house we purchased for 'Horace' a few weeks back and there he was curled up sound asleep in a hub of leaves. I'm assuming he's not yet hibernating just taking a kip. The food is still being eaten.
This is the home we purchased
Perfect Dave, where are you located again? If anywhere near the South East the nights are still in double figures so I'd expect them to keep bulking
Last year mine disappeared early November
Last edited: 20 October 2017 15:29:10
Hi Mark, yes I'm in Southern Hants near the coast. Very mild here. Just cut the lawn again which is still growing like mad. He doesn't seem too put off that our rescue dog has given him a barking too a few times in the evenings! I try and give the hog advance warning by turning the outside lights on before taking Dudley out for his late night ablutions but terriers are terriers lol.