Hedgehog

[Dobby]

we found one lat year hibernating on our plot at the top we was going to sort it out but had to leave it, till later in the year hope we have anouther one then i dont have to sort the top bit ov the plot out till later again

[peanut]

I have 2 that come into the garden each night to eat the peanuts I put down for them, they're right outside the kitchen window, I can watch them for ages! Gorgeous!

[MrsC]

Fab pic Dobby

[Jenegade]

You shouldn't worry about cats hurting hedgehogs! We had two cats and many many hedgehogs at our my house, not one hedghog got hurt! The cats usually got close enough to get their nose spiked and then tought bette of it!!

I love hedgehogs, that's a great pic of the family btw!

[Comfreyfan]

I didn't see any hedgehogs for a couple of years, but last year we saw one, this year probably four, so I'm happy again! Haven't caught sight of them for a couple of weeks, but every morning there's a track across the lawn and it disappears somewhere under the rhubarb and finally into the depths of an unruly border!

[Two_Sheds]

I've found 3 hoggy poos on the lawn recently, but I have no idea where the critters are coming from or going to. It's too cold to sit up and wait for them.
I think they're trying to make friends with my guinea pigs, who must look like cousins.

[rustylady]

been "umm-ing and ah-ing" about that, would love to encourage him but we have loads of cats in the area and I wonder if it might just encourage them instead?

I think you'll find that cats will visit your garden anyway if they've a mind to.

[rustylady]

I'd love some hoggies visit me, I'd be worried about the brassy nets though and more worried they'd get to where the doggies are allowed

Not sure what you mean by brassy nets, but dogs shouldn't be a problem (or cats for that matter). Hedgehogs roll up into a ball when they feel threatened (prickles out). My dog dug up a whole strawberry bed one night trying to get at a hedgehog. Hedgehog fine, dog filthy, and strawberry plants all over the lawn.

[sharonr]

I`d love to have hedgehogs in my garden as in the summer it was full of slugs. But as some of you may know my dog Storm likes to run around the garden with them in her mouth. We have to get them off her and put them out the front.
We had one last week that was very small so I took it next door to my mum and dads and they put it in a rabbit hutch in their greenhouse and are feeding it cat food and worms.

[Mcbee]

Looks like a lot of us are having a lot of luck seeking these. I love looking at the way they seem to investigate and sniff everything. they almost look cuddly. Its not all good news for hedgehogs though. The changing weather confuses them and they have young late in the year , and unfortunately they don't have time to build up enough fat for the winter.

There are a lot that need looking after, so if you want to help have a look at this website. Welcome to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital. You might be able to look after one for the winter.

[smallblueplanet]

...we found the cutest lovely little hedgehog on our door step! (s)he look totally bemused as we stepped passed and called my son and OH to have a look.

Like McBee says there's small young hedgehogs about who may not survive hibernation if they can't fatten up. So maybe some cat/dog food might save it?

Juveniles

It has been estimated that a hedgehog needs to weigh 600 grams to survive the rigours of hibernation. Many youngsters are born late in the year and have no hope of making the weight before the onset of winter.
From the end of September onwards any small hedgehog you come across should be weighed. Any bordering on 600 grams can be fattened up on tinned dog food and released before the end of October, if it makes the required weight. Smaller hedgehogs should be kept warm indoors so they stay awake, until the following Spring when they can be prepared for release back to the wild.

http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/ima...0Hedgehogs.pdf

[Flummery]

When I was hacking down a ghastly pampas grass over late winter to relocate my dalek compost bins, I found a hedgehog hibernating where one of the bins was going to go. This year I'll have them where I want them!

[Headfry]

My Hedgehogs are still feeding! So lovely to see them. Mr HF and I are addicted to watching them....Worried about the coming cold spell. Might bubble wrap the box that one of them is using as I just cant see how a few leaves and a thin layer of wood will help at minus figures.

[Polly Fouracre]

I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but the biggest danger to hedgehogs are slug pellets!(also to cats!!)
If you have any concerns or enquiries about hedgehogs you couldn't do better than contact Prickly Ball farm and a lovely, serious young man there.
E-mail, enquiries@pricklyballfarm.co.uk
He can give you the best advise about anything hedgehogy!!

[BrideXIII]

I am half tempted to chuck the rest of the leaves the boys collected into a pile at the bottom of the garden see if we can get one, might be a bit late now though ?