Is this "hogitat" suitable for hibernation?

[~T~]

My local garden centre has these on sale at £14.99 and I would like to buy a couple to replace my own self built effort (I'm not hugely happy with it). It seems like a pretty good product for nesting but would it be suitable for hibernation? Last year we had a horrendous winter. I would be able to cover them with loads of foliage and even some turf and make any other modifications (ventilation etc).

http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/p/Wildli...og_shelter.htm

Does anyone use them?

Thanks

[Hedgehoggy]

Just found the thread where this 'hogitat' was previously discussed, to give you some ideas for the modifications needed:

Wicker hedgehog house HELP

Personally, instead of spending £30 on two of these 'hogitats', I'd sooner spend £30 on one of Ron's fit-for-the-purpose quality hedgehog houses that he builds. Ron runs a hedgehog rescue and is also a WAB member:

http://rons-hedgehogs.webs.com/

[~T~]

Thanks for the info though the hogitat discussed in the thread you linked is a different kind as the ones I'm talking about are made from metal. I would love to have one of Rons purpose built ones but the main reason I'm thinking about these other ones is my garden is very small and the local kids are very inquisitive so something like that would stick out and they would end up messing with it. These other ones seem to be quite camouflaged and I could easily tuck them behind the bushes in my garden.

[CharlieCreek]

I think I have seen these or something like them in a garden centre.

I didn't like them to be honest, they are made out of a coated wire and while I was there a lady cut her finger on one of the strands of wire. They also seem to me to be very expensive for what they are.

You can make a hog home out of bits and bobs if you want. For example stack some old house bricks say three high and make two sides and a back and a front with a gap. Pop some marine ply or similar treated with an environmentally friendly preservative and then cover the whole thing with things like logs, untreated woodchip, turf, earth etc and you would have a hog home that no one will notice is there.

(added after as I forgot until seeing Hedgehoggys post) Also make a tunnel entrance with a few bricks covered over.

[CharlieCreek]

I also agree with Hedgehoggy, if anyone is thinking about splashing out on buying a hog home, please buy it from someone like Ron where all the proceeds go back into rescuing hogs.

[Hedgehoggy]

Sorry ~T~, my mistake , the photo in your link looked like one of the wicker hogitats. If you can pick up a more substantial version for half the advertised price at your local garden centre, which won't get blown away in high winds, then I consider that a bargain! Maybe just invest in one to begin with to see if it's considered a 'sought after des res' by your prickly visitors.

From my own experiences with home-made hog houses, those with external or internal tunnels, which are better protected from prevailing winds/heavy rain and prevent any nosey cats or foxes from sticking their faces right in, seem to be more favourable than those without tunnels. But at £14.99 I'd say it's worth a try, especially when you already have hogs visiting your garden. You could always add your own tunnel entrance in time.

Do let us know how it all goes

EDIT: my post crossed with Charlie's! If there's a danger of a hog cutting itself on loose metal strands as it brushes past, then best not even consider this model.

[~T~]

Thanks for your advice everyone. I haven't actually seen them with my own eyes yet just been told about them by someone who saw them and thought I would be interested. Will pop in at the weekend and if they look/feel in any way dodgy then I certainly won't be purchasing. The smaller hog that visits already seems to have an injury so wouldn't dream of endangering them with a sub par home. Thing is I can only find positive reviews online so was hoping some people here may have used them as I know to be sceptical when it comes to onsite reviews.