First hog I've seen round here in years

~T~ · #1 (**permalink**) 13-05-2011, 12:17 AM

I had noticed some odd poo lately in the garden (kinda like really small blackish dog poo) but didn't think too much of it then tonight when I went out to zip up my wee mini greenhouse I saw something moving out the corner of my eye. I had to do a double take since it's literally the first hog I've seen in maybe 5 years. It seemed healthy enough and uncurled after a minute or 2 then wandered off into my neighbours garden. I hope it sticks around since I have planted lots of veg which could do with a slug terminator. I would also like to suppliment its feeding but don't want to attract more cats as there are a pair of nesting blue tits in the garden. Is there some kind of food the cats wont bother with? Maybe some dog food mixed with dried mealworms? Here is a pic of the little feller, it's really made my night

toadpole · #2 (**permalink**) 14-05-2011, 06:06 PM

Oh he is lovely

still have not seen any hogs yet this year ....had seen one by this time last year

but i am sure one will turn up soon.... i crumble a custard cream up every night in anticipation ...they love them as a treat as well as the badgers sunflower hearts but have seen a few hedgehog sized poos so must be visiting very late ...hope there is something left for him to eat ....Marion

mbaldw · #3 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

I would also like to suppliment its feeding but don't want to attract more cats as there are a pair of nesting blue tits in the garden. Is there some kind of food the cats wont bother with? Maybe some dog food mixed with dried mealworms?

Lovely shot, T! I've not seen a hog in the garden for several weeks now. My parents put out dog food for their local hogs, which they seem to enjoy and the local cats don't (are too proud to?) eat. Make sure you put out some water too, especially if you end up mixing in mealworms and/or biscuits.

Cheers,
Marc.

~T~ · #4 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. Custard creams eh? Last night I put out some cut up beefburger mixed with some dried mealworms. I checked just before I went to my bed and the burger was all gone but some/all of the mealworms were still there so either the hog or a fox had munched it (or even a cat). I'll get some dog food of some sort (probably the dried stuff) and see if it like that. I read they love crumbled peanuts and raisins/sultanas to so will probably make a mix of things up. There is always water in a dish for the birds so that's not a problem.

toadpole · #5 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 06:23 PM

yes i can definately vouch for sultanas as well and mine LOVE sunflower hearts too, i have never witnessed them eating dried mealworms which surprised me

and they allways have had a massive drink before leaving so well done for mentioning a water bowl .....i have 3 in various places in my front garden and they are all nearly empty by morning so lots of wildlife relying on those water sources

.....and i have to say last year sitting outside at 12 o clock at night with a hedhehog 12 ins away from me listening to it eat a custard cream was a very surreal moment for me

plus it made me go inside have a mug of warm milk and have a custard cream too !!!!

Marion

~T~ · #6 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 07:55 PM

Haha ok well custard creams are on my list of stuff to get for the hog then

CharlieCreek · #7 (**permalink**) 15-05-2011, 09:42 PM

Best things to leave out food wise are things like: dry cat / dog biscuits (check the meat content some are only 4%, the ones we use are 60%), unsalted peanut nibs, sunflower hearts, sultanas.

To stop cats etc getting at them pop something like an upturned plastic storage box with a 4 inch square hole in it (smoothed off) as an entrance and pop the food in at the back.

I wouldn't really leave things like custard creams out as to us they are junk food and it is the same for the hog, the sugar can cause the same issues it would cause us and of course they can't brush their teeth, sugar isn't great for them.

~T~ · #8 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieCreek

Best things to leave out food wise are things like: dry cat / dog biscuits (check the meat content some are only 4%, the ones we use are 60%), unsalted peanut nibs, sunflower hearts, sultanas.

To stop cats etc getting at them pop something like an upturned plastic storage box with a 4 inch square hole in it (smoothed off) as an entrance and pop the food in at the back.

I wouldn't really leave things like custard creams out as to us they are junk food and it is the same for the hog, the sugar can cause the same issues it would cause us and of course they can't brush their teeth, sugar isn't great for them.

Ah ok will leave out the junk then. Last night I put out some cat food (I'm looking after my mates cats while he's away and they have tons) mixed with some cooked cabbage and dried mealworms (yum). The hog hadnt showed by about 1am and I got thinking maybe it was just passing through before and wouldnt become a regular. At about 4am I got up for a glass of water and looked out and there he was munching away. Then seconds later a pesky cat appeared on my back fence and jumped down to investigate the hog. I quickly banged the window which sent the cat running, I don't even think the hog even realised as it continued to munch away. Just as I was about to go back to bed it scurried off (I forgot just how fast they can go haha).

I take it the cat couldn't have really have done much to an adult hedgehog? Maybe just interrupted it's meal?

mbaldw · #9 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

The hog hadnt showed by about 1am and I got thinking maybe it was just passing through before and wouldnt become a regular.

Maybe you need to invest in some Tippex so you can see if it's the same hog (or several different ones) visiting your feeding station. Assuming it was the same one, my experience is that hedgehogs don't have the same routines that some other mammals so. Most of the tracking studies have shown that, unlike foxes for example, hedgehogs don't emerge in the evening and head straight for the gardens they know have food. Foxes, by contrast, have a habit of showing up bang on time each night and can be rather impatient if you're late! Also, hogs have a broad diet of invertebrates and there may have been more tasty morsels en route last night than on the previous night, which can also affect timings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

I take it the cat couldn't have really have done much to an adult hedgehog? Maybe just interrupted it's meal?

I'd agree, a cat is only likely to be a potential threat to a hoglet.

Cheers,
Marc.

pattie may · #10 (**permalink**) 16-05-2011, 06:27 PM

I put out food as soon as it gets dark and within ten minutes or so there's a hedgehog eating the food. I put out more food when each dish is empty and then one before I go to bed. I find that my hedgehogs come around the same time most nights. I'm sure they hear the dish being put down on the patio. There are definitely two maybe three who visit every night.