Hedgehogs

[banjo48 928]

My mum regularly had them in her back garden, in Woodthorpe up till she died in 2005, even had families of young one's she used to put food out for.

Remember as a kid, finding one and my dad thought he was doing it a favour by trying to rid it of fleas with powder, but sadly it died.

[piggy and babs 544]

we had one in our garden when we lived in cliftonone night we were woken up by our dog barking like mad something he very really did so i get up to go to investigatelokked out bedroom into front before i went downno sighn of anything nobody about when i get down stairs my do a small cross jack russlewas at the patio door stillbarking like mad looked out could not see anythingso opened the patio windoes to let him out just under the window step yes you guessed it a bloody hedgehog first thing dog does puts his nose on it covered in fleas got hold of his collor bats off as many as i could with my handof runs the hedgehog i spent the next hour bathing the dog with flea shampoo combing him and drying him before i could go to bed myself. the next 2 weeks or so was spraying flea killer on carpets curtains and furniture to make sure all the flas are gone but we were lucky and we never saw any so it must have done the trick.

[carni 10,094]

I know what you mean about the fleas Babs,it was quite funny really our dog didn't know what to do,there was fleas jumping all over her nose when we found the hedgehog,we soon got rid of the fleas no probs,

[mick2me 3,033]

Can you flea a hedghog?

Put some food down last night but not touched?

You can feed them cat food dry or tinned chicken but not fish.

[Compo 10,328]

Ah yes, the Hedgehog..... A flat creature that lives on roads. I know it well.

[Compo 10,328]

Don't put bread & milk out for hedgepigs:

1) Milk is very bad for the teeth; bread and milk is especially bad, as it is too soft for

proper dental care.

2) Many animals are intolerant of the lactose in milk which can lead to diarrhoea,

dehydration and death.

3) Milk is iron deficient so in excess can cause dietary imbalance.

4) Milk will readily curdle if left for any length of time.

5) Milks that have been skimmed or semi-skimmed have had beneficial fat soluble

vitamins removed.

6) In drought conditions animals may drink milk rather than water, to their detriment.

7) Milk is an ideal medium for the proliferation of harmful bacteria in the stomach and

intestines.

[source: www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk]

[Compo 10,328]

How can we help our garden hedgehogs?

1) By providing a compost heap or overgrown area of garden for sleeping in.

2) By providing tinned dog or cat food as a dietary supplement

[source: www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk]

[mick2me 3,033]

He's been out and about daily recently.

The dogs particularly the Springer is aware he sleeps under the shed during the day.

She crouches for hours with nose under the shed looking back at me from time to time and barking.

He has taken food from a dish now as recommended by that site.

Dried cat food (not fish). and i have given him a treat, Live mealworms.

[Beefsteak 305]

I had three a couple years back (When we had the cats) all of them were different sizes, I even went so far as to build a bit of hibernation place for them in the corner of the garden, i put a tin or so of cat food down in the spring but I'v not seen one this year.

[Compo 10,328]

It's a well known misconception that hedgehogs hibernate. In fact they live to be just three seasons old and then curl up somehwere warm and die.

[mick2me 3,033]

Started taking cat food but not seen im for a few days now?

[Beefsteak 305]

I can tell we aren't having our little prickly friends visiting us this year, loads of effing slug trails every where!!

[mick2me 3,033]

Had the ladder out the other day, its amazing how far up house walls these trails go?

[mick2me 3,033]

Something just made my day! It's gone 1am... And I was just outside getting a hedgehog! I had been watching it for a while, then I saw a fox do its 'im gonna get you and eat you' watch/walk, so I grabbed an old bath mat and got the poor little thing, and popped him in my back garden with slugs and catfood & a few morio worms (similar to meal worms just fatter) I do want to keep him now, but I know I can't, I had to fight the temptation in putting him into my empty 6ft hutch!!

(Copied from the made my day thread)

Pixie

Thanks for that, I will look into them.

I am currently at the beetle stage of breeding some meal worms, hoping to get some fresh stock for the birds and Spiky if he is still around.

Anyone else tried breading their own?

[Beefsteak 305]

Your nearest fishing tackle shop should be able to supply you with some, or at least tell you where to get some from. (You could always try half a pint of maggots).

[darkazana 1,736]

Apparently one of the reasons for the decline in hedgehogs is the rise in the number of badgers, they predate on them. Seems we may be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Cull the badgers or watch the decline of hedgehogs?

[Compo 10,328]

Pixie: I used to breed mealworms for a while. All you need is a bran tub and a slice of apple for moisture. On a small scale it can be done in a large Tupperware box or similar. Top up bran and replace apple slice when needed.

[mick2me 3,033]

They like cucumber

[sneintongal 12]

oh i wish we had hedgehogs,no more slugs in the garden and all our plants would survive i do know you have to feed them dried cat or dog buiscuits to encourage them to come visiting,nothing fish flavoured,and then a nice little hideaway for them to hibernate when it gets really cold

[notty ash 370]

A hedgehog appeared in my front garden around 4:30pm this afternoon, looking quite well-fed.

Totally oblivious to all the kids playing in the street, just a few metres away.

[bazza 71]

Hedgehogs are ok

As long as you cook em properely.

Baz

[Trevor S 2,003]

Would you cook them the same as the echidna, Bazza?

Gutted and beheaded, the insides washed out and stuffed with gum leaves, sautéed in a rough red, perhaps even a cab sav and then enclosed in a ball of mud until all the spines etc. are encased and then placed on the hot coals of the barbie on the back lawn.

Roughly one hour later, crack the ball open, the spines and skin come away with the baked mud and the succulent flesh awaits. The little paws are just like crab claws but tastier.

Still reckon that is one of the best bush tucker meals available out here in OZ. Do you agree with me, Bazza?

[LizzieM 9,507]

Whoohoo! We've got a hedgehog in our garden as well now ..... they must be making a comeback. The problem is that our dog won't leave it alone, I think he's frightened of it !

[mick2me 3,033]

Our springer has always got her nose under the shed?

[poohbear 1,360]

I couldn't possibly own one of them without calling it 'Jerry'

Is it an ex drug dog Mick?...wondering what all those lights and fans are doing in your shed?