hedgehog food

[denbow69]

hi everyone, my wiife and I have just discovered that we have a hedgehog visiting nightly, we've already named him Henry (I know really original)
after putting food out for henry which was promptly scoffed by the neighbours cat I gathered information and made a feeding station. I got some chicken flavoured dog food raisins and chopped peanuts. I would like some advice on quantity to give and any other help would be appreciated thanks
denbow69

[pattie may]

I put out dried mealworms, Gardman hedgehog bites and CJ hedgehog food (which I buy at Adsa). I have tried Chapel Wood hedgehog food (from garden centres and pets at home) but my visitors didn't like it

I put about a tablespoon of each on a couple of terracota saucers and put out more when it is eaten and then leave some out over night. I put it inside a feeding station made from an upturned plastic box measuring 20 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches high. The feeding station is near to my conservatory so I can see it throught the window and I have some garden lights so I can see when the hedgehogs are eating and when the saucers need refilling.

I also put a dish of water near the food and there is a dish of water near to the hedgehog house that has been put under some bushes at the side of my garden.

[denbow69]

thank you Pattie May for your info about the food. the feed station that I have made is very similar to yours thanks again.

[willowjay]

I have tried a feeding station, but my hogs are complete louts and all try to get in there at the same time, resulting in a boisterous and noisy fight with much barging and generally un-neighbourly activities.

So I just scatter the food in a large area over the patio, and they help themselves. Tonight there were four. I have noticed that they are not so interested in the water - they must be getting it from wet lawns and leaves, but a few weeks back when we were in a serious drought they had a drink after every few mouthfulls.

Still the highlight of my evening watching them

[posie]

Originally Posted by willowjay

I have tried a feeding station, but my hogs are complete louts and all try to get in there at the same time, resulting in a boisterous and noisy fight with much barging and generally un-neighbourly activities.

So I just scatter the food in a large area over the patio, and they help themselves. Tonight there were four. I have noticed that they are not so interested in the water - they must be getting it from wet lawns and leaves, but a few weeks back when we were in a serious drought they had a drink after every few mouthfulls.

Still the highlight of my evening watching them

Sounds lovely willowjay, any chance of some photos...?....Posie..

[willowjay]

My skills with a camera are negligible, Posie, but I'll have a go tonight, if the gang turn up for supper

[willowjay]

... So ...

I sat on the sitting room floor with the patio doors open and the hog food spread out ready - and I had 2 of them in my sights, munching away, and then I suddenly panicked - would the flash on my camera hurt their eyes? So I chickened out. Perhaps someone could tell me if a camera flash would upset them?

[Hedgehoggy]

A couple of camera flashes generally wouldn't put hedgehogs off their food. If it did, it would only be momentarily and they'd either run off and return again later, or they'd 'freeze' and then continue munching totally unperturbed after the flashing had stopped.

[denbow69]

henry was joined by another hedgehog last night , as we watched they seemed to be playing or trying to mate, as the visitor kept circling henry
it was difficult to tell because of the light fading, my wife and I were both
going boz-eyed trying to see what was happening, the visitor left after about 15to20mins leaving henry seemingly unperturbed. anyone any thoughts on
this incident.
We would also appreciate some tips on ways of providing light without scaring our little friends away.

[dampflippers]

Hernietta may well be expecting a happy event if the visitor is successful at wooing her.