Hedgehog Feeding

misty tinker · #1 (**permalink**) 22-06-2008, 09:20 PM

I have currently got an obsession or hedgehogs

after reading about them and after visiting a few sites and reading about them, i realised they are a lot of work

I was not considering owning one as a pet or confining it to the space of my garden(unless: young, weak, ill or disabled) that would be cruel, they are after all wild animals

I was however thinking about putting out food, water and a nice comfy shelter to help them

One problem, i have no idea if we are going to be moving soon (if work doesnt pick up

)
If we have to move i have read that so hedgehogs become depandant on the food yo put out, what would happen if we moved?

thankyou(i am very new to the site so hi everyone

)

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 22-06-2008, 09:29 PM

Hi and welcome to WAB. Good question and I don't know the answer but someone on here will help you. I would have thought that they would be fine if you suddenly moved, they are wild creatures after all.

wildlifesnapper · #3 (**permalink**) 22-06-2008, 10:32 PM

Hi

I think that if you are only putting food out to attract them so you can watch them , then if you only put a very small amount of food out , just a snack if you like, then they will wander off and hunt for their beetles and slugs etc for the rest of the night. This way if you do move then what little bit you did put out would not be missed.

neil

Jez · #4 (**permalink**) 23-06-2008, 10:40 AM

Hi

Putting a little food out shouldn't be no trouble and if you have to up & leave then let the new home owners tknow hat you have visiting hoggies!

Stewy · #5 (**permalink**) 23-06-2008, 02:42 PM

I just attract the local cats when I put out food!

Kayleigh · #6 (**permalink**) 23-06-2008, 09:00 PM

The hedgehogs eat what drops from the bird feeders in my garden. So I don't feed them.
I would do like the others have said and just put a small amount of food out.

ratscat13 · #7 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 06:49 AM

all wild animals will benefit from some supplementary feeding. However this should be as close to the natural diet as possible and should not be regular. I would suggest feeding tinned cat food and providing water and feeding no more than a couple of nights a week. Also make them random nights so that the hog doesn't become dependant on the food you provide.
They are fascinating creatures - enjoy your watching of them.