Hedgepigs

[dampflippers]

I have started putting water in the front garden too, and it seems to be going down.
The gap under the fence to the back garden I think is big enough, but I may try to saw a bit off one of the planks just to make sure.

If it was to do with the long winter, maybe they woke up too many times and there wasn't enough food and water to rehibernate when the snow came back. I'm sure they now struggle for places to hibernate now- so many people have just a whole garden of grass and paving and no rough patches or even compost heaps or bins.

[Abraxus]

Originally Posted by HedgehogRescue

Do you put food and water out? If they are around a daily supply they can rely on will bring them in. Water is vital if we're going to have a warm dry summer. Even though we get small amounts of rain it's not enough to fill puddles so the hogs go looking for ponds and uncovered drains, fall in and drown in many cases.

All I've had in so far this year is completely dehydrated hogs in desperate need of water.

Not put anything out although you have a point. We have a small pond which we deliberately sloped to allow some shallow drinking for anything that had a requirement. I believe the Hedgehogs have used this. You're right about the dryness recently. I am watering the back garden now although its a small area so not too demanding. Lots of snails about so any passing Hedgehog would probably enjoy those. There are access points under fences in the garden which have been used in the past.

[HedgehogRescue]

Not put anything out although you have a point. We have a small pond which we deliberately sloped to allow some shallow drinking for anything that had a requirement. I believe the Hedgehogs have used this. You're right about the dryness recently. I am watering the back garden now although its a small area so not too demanding. Lots of snails about so any passing Hedgehog would probably enjoy those. There are access points under fences in the garden which have been used in the past.

Slugs and snails make up about 5% of a hedgehog's diet. They much prefer Beetles, caterpillars and earthworms. We would rather they left slugs and snails alone for two reasons.

First, slug pellets. Even if you don't use them in your garden your neighbours might. Slug/Snail eats pellets, hedgehog eats slug/snail, result, one poisoned hedgehog.

Second, slugs are the intermediary for lungworm. Hedgehogs with lungworm develop a smoker's cough. If they are not caught and treated early enough then the worms make their lungs go solid. They develop breathing difficulties, pnuemonia and die. I would guess last year around 25% of the hogs I took in had lungworm.

If you can put some dried food out for them it helps no end. Native insects tend to be in short supply in some areas due to gardening with foreign plants and pesticides.

Cat/small dog biscuits are great but if you have a cat problem then it might not work. Hedgehog biscuits will be ignored by cats but they can be a little on the pricey side. I believe ferret biscuits work out cheaper and are also well received although I've not tried them.

If you want to feed the birds as well, dried mealworms go down great but you'll need to put some out after dark or the hogs won't get a look in. Crushed peanuts are also good and sultanas. Crushed, because baby birds will choke on whole ones and hogs can get them stuck on their back teeth stopping them from eating.

Ponds with sloping sides are great, other ponds need to be kept topped right up so hogs etc can drink without leaning too far over and falling in. If it's a straight sided pond then something in there for them to climb onto or coated mesh bent over the sides and anchored to the ground as a climbing frame. Don't use chicken wire as they cut themselves to ribbons.

[Abraxus]

Originally Posted by HedgehogRescue

Slugs and snails make up about 5% of a hedgehog's diet. They much prefer Beetles, caterpillars and earthworms. We would rather they left slugs and snails alone for two reasons.

First, slug pellets. Even if you don't use them in your garden your neighbours might. Slug/Snail eats pellets, hedgehog eats slug/snail, result, one poisoned hedgehog.

Second, slugs are the intermediary for lungworm. Hedgehogs with lungworm develop a smoker's cough. If they are not caught and treated early enough then the worms make their lungs go solid. They develop breathing difficulties, pnuemonia and die. I would guess last year around 25% of the hogs I took in had lungworm.

If you can put some dried food out for them it helps no end. Native insects tend to be in short supply in some areas due to gardening with foreign plants and pesticides.

Cat/small dog biscuits are great but if you have a cat problem then it might not work. Hedgehog biscuits will be ignored by cats but they can be a little on the pricey side. I believe ferret biscuits work out cheaper and are also well received although I've not tried them.

If you want to feed the birds as well, dried mealworms go down great but you'll need to put some out after dark or the hogs won't get a look in. Crushed peanuts are also good and sultanas. Crushed, because baby birds will choke on whole ones and hogs can get them stuck on their back teeth stopping them from eating.

Ponds with sloping sides are great, other ponds need to be kept topped right up so hogs etc can drink without leaning too far over and falling in. If it's a straight sided pond then something in there for them to climb onto or coated mesh bent over the sides and anchored to the ground as a climbing frame. Don't use chicken wire as they cut themselves to ribbons.

Thats excellent, thank you. We do feed the birds regularly although cats can be an issue

[HedgehogRescue]

Build a feeding station. Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue - Stop Cats or Foxes stealing the hedgehog’s food