Found Wobbling Baby Hedgehog

[Marcia]

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

Marcia, imho 600g at this time of year should be the maximum weight aimed for Spikey’s release. Some hogs (especially males) will show signs of wanting to leave before this weight is reached. 450g is the minimum weight I would release at this time of year – still heaps of time for a hog to build up fat reserves in preparation for their ‘big winter sleep’.

Spikey’s weight may also level off at around the 600g mark for a fair while and could then take simply ages to reach 800g, which would be rather unfair to contain him longer than is necessary He needs to be out there acclimatising to his environment at the earliest opportunity, and to enjoy foraging for all the natural yummy food awaiting him while the mild weather still affords this opportunity. Indeed, if means allowed, you could ‘harden’ him off (soft-release via a pen/rabbit run positioned over his hog house in your garden) when he reaches 450g-500g, and then simply remove the pen when he’s ready to go

The 800g release weight you may have read about applies to autumn juvs being released during a mild spell in winter ( pre-hibernation), thus avoiding unnecessarily incarcerating them all through the winter months until the spring.

To reassure you further, field studies (radio tracking) have shown that hogs released directly into the wild, with no supplementary feeding, do initially lose a little weight, but regain and maintain their weight after a few days. My own early observations of those that I released back into my garden (the ones which obligingly continued to return!), with access to supplementary feeding and shelter, did not lose any significant weight loss of note, even with all that new found freedom of nightly foraging exercise!

I think you may find the following link of interest, and reassuring :

British Hedgehog Preservation Society

Oh noooo...
600g will be... in two weeks time?
I'm not ready, I thought I'd have 4 weeks from now... oh...

Of course I'll oblige and release him at 600g... I won't be unfair to him.
I'm just sad that it's going to be sooner than I was expecting...

Does he have the skills to survive?
I haven't given him any natural material to make a nest yet.
Or a tray with soil to forage for food.
Oh so little time now...

I have read the BHPS link and also this one. Makes me tearful...

Marcia.

[Malx]

I've tacked this post onto Marcia's thread, since I fear we must seem like a "Hedgehog Mafia" to many of the other Mammal fans on the Forum.
A few questions about hibernation when it finally comes to that time:

1) Food when hibernating. I plan to leave some dry cat biscuits in his canteen permanently, since these won't go off that easily. Will that do? I don't know whether peanuts and raisins would attract rats, or I'd leave a few of these too.
On the BHPS site and others, it says that hedgies awake from hibernation periodically and go in search of food. Does this mean they un-hibernate for 1 hour in the whole winter, or maybe are awake for, say, a week?
The reason I ask is that if Fatso were to emerge and scoff some cat biscuits, do I bother putting lots of fresh food out the next night, or will he be straight back to sleep for 2 more months while the food rots?

2) The Stats say that quite a few hedgies die in hibernation - does anyone know why? Is it just the natural 'bio-rhythm', perhaps that their organs give out due to the bizarre trick involved in lowering their metabolism and all associated processes? Or is it due to cold, or starvation?? Some will just die of old age of course, and may appear in the Stats as having dies in hibernation because their final resting place appeared to be while hibernating; if they spend nearly a quarter of their lives hibernating, then nearly a quarter will just peg out while they happen to be in the hibernation stage, if you see what I mean. I ask this because I want to limit the dangers, obviously. In both of my HH Houses I doubt cold will be a factor, nor flood, nor disturbance from predators or man etc. Is there anything else I might have overlooked?

3) Is there such a thing as a solar-powered water/pond melter?!?
I want the water bowl frost-free in case any resident needs a sip at an ungodly hour, but I don't want to use a wasteful mains-powered device to keep the water bowl defrosted the whole winter unless it's crucial. You laugh, but actually most frosty days are characteristically clear and sunny, so a heating element (via a battery) could easily be rigged to keep even a tiny patch of the water surface melted enough for a thirsty visitor.

4) Do hedgehogs actually carry dry leaves, straw and other bits of bedding into their nests in preparation for hibernation? Clearly birds are adept at using their beaks to carry the stuff, but would I be likely to see a hedgehog hopping up his house ramp in November with an armful of leaves? Or even in his mouth? Also, if I'm to place a few leaves near the entrance for them, how dry should the leaves be, or will they accept ones that have been rained on? How fussy are the little urchins?

5) My HH House Mark II is only about 15 feet from the pond. As Kayleigh says, hedgehogs can indeed swim, and my pond has special shelves near the top for an easy exit. But is there any danger that new-born hoglets could still get in trouble, and do I need to cover the thing and tell the frogs to hop off and go swim elsewhere (which I'd hate to do)?

That's about all for now.... Any answers from you guys would be most appreciated as the pool of knowledge on here seems good and deep!

[Malx]

Originally Posted by Marcia

Does he have the skills to survive?

Teach him some basic Karate tomorrow after his next swimming lesson!

Originally Posted by Marcia

I have read the BHPS link and also this one. Makes me tearful...

Marcia.

Thanks for that link. I would read it all and respond now, (esp as it may answer my own questions above) but I don't have time if me and Fatso are both to be fed tonight!

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by pattie may

Someone else may confirm this (or say it's rubbish) but I think hedgehogs can swim.

They can swim as I rescued one from the school pond ages ago at 11 in the morning. I have no idea how long he had been swimming for but he was quite cold and exhausted. The pond was child proofed but small animals (hedgehogs) could get under the frame. This has now been remedied. With some warmth and rest he made a good recovery.

[Hedgehoggy]

Originally Posted by Marcia

Oh noooo...
600g will be... in two weeks time?
I'm not ready, I thought I'd have 4 weeks from now... oh...

Of course I'll oblige and release him at 600g... I won't be unfair to him.
I'm just sad that it's going to be sooner than I was expecting...

Does he have the skills to survive?
I haven't given him any natural material to make a nest yet.
Or a tray with soil to forage for food.
Oh so little time now...

I have read the BHPS link and also this one. Makes me tearful...

Marcia.

Aaaw, Marcia, please don’t feel sad. It is indeed a bittersweet moment, but Spikey’s release should be a happy occasion. If it hadn’t been for your dedicated nurturing, there would be one less little hoggy running about . You’ve given him a second chance of life, one which he can now enjoy as a fully fledged wild hedgehog, and hopefully next year produce even littler Spikeys! Spikey will have natural hedgehog instincts to help him survive in the wild. To give his natural instincts a kick-start, over the next few days, remove his pillows and blankets, and replace with more natural materials such as hay, dried leaves, strips of newspaper/tissue paper, to practice nest building with, plus you could introduce a snuffle tray at the same time and perhaps scatter a few live mealworms in it You’ll soon be reassured that although you weren’t ready for this moment, Spikey is! Then will be the time to consider moving him outside...

[Hedgehoggy]

Originally Posted by Malx

I've tacked this post onto Marcia's thread, since I fear we must seem like a "Hedgehog Mafia" to many of the other Mammal fans on the Forum.
A few questions about hibernation when it finally comes to that time:

1) Food when hibernating. I plan to leave some dry cat biscuits in his canteen permanently, since these won't go off that easily. Will that do? I don't know whether peanuts and raisins would attract rats, or I'd leave a few of these too.
On the BHPS site and others, it says that hedgies awake from hibernation periodically and go in search of food. Does this mean they un-hibernate for 1 hour in the whole winter, or maybe are awake for, say, a week?
The reason I ask is that if Fatso were to emerge and scoff some cat biscuits, do I bother putting lots of fresh food out the next night, or will he be straight back to sleep for 2 more months while the food rots?

2) The Stats say that quite a few hedgies die in hibernation - does anyone know why? Is it just the natural 'bio-rhythm', perhaps that their organs give out due to the bizarre trick involved in lowering their metabolism and all associated processes? Or is it due to cold, or starvation?? Some will just die of old age of course, and may appear in the Stats as having dies in hibernation because their final resting place appeared to be while hibernating; if they spend nearly a quarter of their lives hibernating, then nearly a quarter will just peg out while they happen to be in the hibernation stage, if you see what I mean. I ask this because I want to limit the dangers, obviously. In both of my HH Houses I doubt cold will be a factor, nor flood, nor disturbance from predators or man etc. Is there anything else I might have overlooked?

3) Is there such a thing as a solar-powered water/pond melter?!?
I want the water bowl frost-free in case any resident needs a sip at an ungodly hour, but I don't want to use a wasteful mains-powered device to keep the water bowl defrosted the whole winter unless it's crucial. You laugh, but actually most frosty days are characteristically clear and sunny, so a heating element (via a battery) could easily be rigged to keep even a tiny patch of the water surface melted enough for a thirsty visitor.

4) Do hedgehogs actually carry dry leaves, straw and other bits of bedding into their nests in preparation for hibernation? Clearly birds are adept at using their beaks to carry the stuff, but would I be likely to see a hedgehog hopping up his house ramp in November with an armful of leaves? Or even in his mouth? Also, if I'm to place a few leaves near the entrance for them, how dry should the leaves be, or will they accept ones that have been rained on? How fussy are the little urchins?

5) My HH House Mark II is only about 15 feet from the pond. As Kayleigh says, hedgehogs can indeed swim, and my pond has special shelves near the top for an easy exit. But is there any danger that new-born hoglets could still get in trouble, and do I need to cover the thing and tell the frogs to hop off and go swim elsewhere (which I'd hate to do)?

That's about all for now.... Any answers from you guys would be most appreciated as the pool of knowledge on here seems good and deep!

PHEW Malx!!! If your burning questions are still smouldering by the time I next log on tomorrow evening, I'll endeavour to address them then, but right now I need my beauty sleep!

P.S. Do read the link Marcia supplied, you may well be able to answer some of your own Qs!

[Marcia]

Thanks Hedgehoggy, you've been with us since the very first day of Spikey's rescue, he's sending many thanks to you

I am still sad but the idea of saying goodbye is sinking in a bit more now. I even had a dream last night that we had released him but he came back and was climbing the conservatory's steps to stay with us. Maybe that's something that my unconscious selfish mind would like to happen. But it goes without saying that I know he belongs to the nature, not to me. And that I want him to have a happy and free wild life.

My husband said the same thing you did, Hedgehoggy, that we gave him a second chance that he wouldn't have had if we haven't rescued him. It brings a lump on my throat everytime I think about it.

On a more practical note:

1) what kind of hay should I buy? Those ones you give rabbits to eat? Meadow hay, dust-free ones? Do I need to chop them into small pieces so he won't get entangled like VF has previously warned me?

2) can I use fertilized compost on his snuffle tray (Growmoor)? I suppose so because it's the same compost that is in my garden borders...?

3) are live mealworms you buy for birds (Tenebrio molitor) the right one? I've found some live waxworm (Galleria mellonella) too, do hedgehogs eat them?

Here's a picture of Spikey learning to collect material for his nest (18 days ago, he's so much bigger now):


And here he's having a scratch after the hard work:


Adorable tiny knee...


Marcia

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by Marcia

On a more practical note:

1) what kind of hay should I buy? Those ones you give rabbits to eat? Meadow hay, dust-free ones? Do I need to chop them into small pieces so he won't get entangled like VF has previously warned me?

2) can I use fertilized compost on his snuffle tray (Growmoor)? I suppose so because it's the same compost that is in my garden borders...?

3) are live mealworms you buy for birds (Tenebrio molitor) the right one? I've found some live waxworm (Galleria mellonella) too, do hedgehogs eat them?

Hi Marcia,

In response to your further questions:

1) Any of these would be fine ... but the dust extracted packages may be better for Spikey's sensitive nose. BTW, the caution for using chopped hay only really applies to very young hoglets or those which, through sickness or disability, may have mobility problems ... Spikey isn't now too likely to get himself dangerously entangled in a strand of hay.

2) That shouldn't cause a problem.

3) Both mealworms and waxworms should be devoured readily by hoggies. Mealworms can move pretty quickly though, so best not to put out too many at once. Waxworms have a very high fat content, so best not to overfeed these or Spikey may become too obese for release.

Actually, this last point is a very real concern ... hedgehogs that have been hand-reared can become over fat as they may gain weight more quickly than muscle tone, to the point where they can't then roll into a tight enough ball to be fully safe from predators ... the principal of which are of course badgers and foxes.

We've not discussed this, but if you are used to seeing either badgers or foxes in your garden, then perhaps it's not the safest place to be releasing Spikey ... same goes of course if you live adjacent to a motorway or even a busy road.

I'm pretty sure you'll have already considered this and made the necessary assessments, but for sake of completeness I just thought it should perhaps be mentioned in this thread.

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by Malx

A few questions about hibernation when it finally comes to that time:

1) Food when hibernating. I plan to leave some dry cat biscuits in his canteen permanently, since these won't go off that easily. Will that do? I don't know whether peanuts and raisins would attract rats, or I'd leave a few of these too.
On the BHPS site and others, it says that hedgies awake from hibernation periodically and go in search of food. Does this mean they un-hibernate for 1 hour in the whole winter, or maybe are awake for, say, a week?
The reason I ask is that if Fatso were to emerge and scoff some cat biscuits, do I bother putting lots of fresh food out the next night, or will he be straight back to sleep for 2 more months while the food rots?

2) The Stats say that quite a few hedgies die in hibernation - does anyone know why? Is it just the natural 'bio-rhythm', perhaps that their organs give out due to the bizarre trick involved in lowering their metabolism and all associated processes? Or is it due to cold, or starvation?? Some will just die of old age of course, and may appear in the Stats as having dies in hibernation because their final resting place appeared to be while hibernating; if they spend nearly a quarter of their lives hibernating, then nearly a quarter will just peg out while they happen to be in the hibernation stage, if you see what I mean. I ask this because I want to limit the dangers, obviously. In both of my HH Houses I doubt cold will be a factor, nor flood, nor disturbance from predators or man etc. Is there anything else I might have overlooked?

3) Is there such a thing as a solar-powered water/pond melter?!?
I want the water bowl frost-free in case any resident needs a sip at an ungodly hour, but I don't want to use a wasteful mains-powered device to keep the water bowl defrosted the whole winter unless it's crucial. You laugh, but actually most frosty days are characteristically clear and sunny, so a heating element (via a battery) could easily be rigged to keep even a tiny patch of the water surface melted enough for a thirsty visitor.

4) Do hedgehogs actually carry dry leaves, straw and other bits of bedding into their nests in preparation for hibernation? Clearly birds are adept at using their beaks to carry the stuff, but would I be likely to see a hedgehog hopping up his house ramp in November with an armful of leaves? Or even in his mouth? Also, if I'm to place a few leaves near the entrance for them, how dry should the leaves be, or will they accept ones that have been rained on? How fussy are the little urchins?

5) My HH House Mark II is only about 15 feet from the pond. As Kayleigh says, hedgehogs can indeed swim, and my pond has special shelves near the top for an easy exit. But is there any danger that new-born hoglets could still get in trouble, and do I need to cover the thing and tell the frogs to hop off and go swim elsewhere (which I'd hate to do)?

And some excellent questions here from the ever-enquiring mind of Malx.
I know Hedgehoggy has already promised to respond to these, but just to give you a bit of a splashing from our side of the 'pool of knowledge' , I thought I'd dive straight in :

1) Dry cat food is a good contingency measure. However, it's best perhaps to consider that hibernation is a survival technique for enduring harsh winters when food is scarce, so if your hedgehog is living in a sheltered southern UK inner-city or suburban garden, where you are providing a reliable source of food, then he may not hibernate at all. Instead, he'd just be 'holed-up' sleeping out the worst of the weather and venturing out on better days to forage, whenever he feels like a top-up. Although really low temperatures will induce a torpor state, I'd kind of doubt that over the last few years our winters (even those here in northern Scotland) have been either severe enough, or protracted enough, for most hedgehogs to reach a true dormant state of hibernation.

2) I think you probably covered most bases there yourself ... I believe that mortality over winter is just higher due to the extra burden that cold (and particularly wetness/dampness) adds to any animal that might be already sufferring from an underlying health condition, or advanced age.

3) I don't know of anything that melts ice, but I've seen solar powered water fountains and a battery-operated 'water wiggler' ... both are effective since moving water freezes less readily than standing water. Link to the water wiggler is here (Buy New - Water Wiggler from Haiths Wild Bird Foods) and I'm led to believe that the 2 D cells will provide continous operation for around 2 months.

4) Hedgehogs will carry leaf litter, dried grass, etc. into their sleeping chambers to make them more comfortable. The usual technique is to gather up a bundle of material in the forelimbs, then shuffle backwards into the sleeping compartment ... effective, but tremendously ungainly! Individuals will make their own determination of what is and isn't suitable. Some have higher standards than others ... don't you know.

5) New born hoglets aren't too mobile so no special precautions are needed as they'd only be moved by their parent. Other than providing a gentle ramp exit to your pond, you shouldn't need to do anything else, and indeed covering it with netting for instance could well become an entanglement hazard.

Phew ... maybe you could ration your questions in future Malx ... I'm going to have to rest my typing finger for a good while now.

[Marcia]

Hi ValleyForge,

Thanks for the answers. I'll look for dust-free meadow hay and if I give him a couple of waxworms as treat in the suffle tray I'll put a bit less cat food on his dish.

Spikey has being encouraged to walk everyday so I hope he's got some muscle now not just fat. He curls into a ball when he wants to, his not tame at all. He climbs really well too. And hell, can he run fast!!! Last night he saw the door open and run so fast, crossed the landing and shot into my bedroom. Usain Bolt, practically.

I'm glad you raised the issue about the best place to release him. I've been thinking long and hard about it. I'm new in the area (moved in last year). Since Spikey's rescue many of our neighbours told us they often see hoggies in their gardens. I often find their droppings on my lawn too. So it's definitely a place where hoggies wander around. I've never seen or heard about fox or badgers here. It's a semi-rural area with loads of pastures and grain fields (if you type Penistone on maps.live.com you can have an idea). My garden is small but I have no fences between my two neighbors who have much bigger gardens. My neighbor to the left also doesn't have fences to a big open field beyond his garden that leads to a huge grassland and a small woodland. My street is a cul-de-sac but there is a semi-busy street 200 metres away. That's my worst fear. If Spikey stays around the gardens and the open fields, he'll have literally miles of safe places to live and forage for food. If he head to the streets then he'll be at risk.

That said, I really would like to release Spikey in the same place he was found in hope he would recognize some places and remember where to find food and shelter if he needs to in the first few days. If I release him further into the fields, I won't be able to put food and water for him as backup, he won't be able to go back to his shelter. *sigh*... Either way all I can do is hope for the best.

Marcia.