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Hedgehogs out of hiberation

  • 22-02-2019 4:21pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,514 ✭✭✭


    I had at least one hedgehog hibernating in a corner of the garden this year. He/she is out of hibernation for about the last 2 weeks (that I'm aware of) and devouring the cat food that I leave out for him every night. One tin (400g, 320 calories) is being eaten per night. I have a feeding station which I'm pretty sure is cat proof, I have seen cats trying to get in and being thwarted. I put out the food at about 9 pm and at about 10 pm the hedgehog appears and eats about 1/4 of it then goes away. When I check it again the next morning the rest of the food is gone. Just wondering if this is likely to be the same hedgehog coming back multiple times per night or could I have more than one. The fact that nothing is left in the morning makes me think that maybe I could put out more food.

    Who else here is seeing hedgehogs in their garden already, are you feeding them and what sort of quantities of food are you putting out.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,204 ✭✭✭dodderangler


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    I had at least one hedgehog hibernating in a corner of the garden this year. He/she is out of hibernation for about the last 2 weeks (that I'm aware of) and devouring the cat food that I leave out for him every night. One tin (400g, 320 calories) is being eaten per night. I have a feeding station which I'm pretty sure is cat proof, I have seen cats trying to get in and being thwarted. I put out the food at about 9 pm and at about 10 pm the hedgehog appears and eats about 1/4 of it then goes away. When I check it again the next morning the rest of the food is gone. Just wondering if this is likely to be the same hedgehog coming back multiple times per night or could I have more than one. The fact that nothing is left in the morning makes me think that maybe I could put out more food.

    Who else here is seeing hedgehogs in their garden already, are you feeding them and what sort of quantities of food are you putting out.

    Seen my first last week. Weather is getting warmer. Mine hibernate under the shed. At least 3 of them and they breed every year. Only seen the one. Think it’s the boar. Big heavy lad. Been around about 3 years now. But the weather being warmer is gonna bring them back. But hopefully it doesn’t snow like last year in March. That messed them up a bit last year.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,895 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    re putting more food out, i'd be inclined to cut back. 400g of cat food per night is a hell of a lot for one hog, probably half or on third the body weight of a healthy hog. you should try skip feeding him or her, only put food out every second night.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,870 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    re putting more food out, i'd be inclined to cut back. 400g of cat food per night is a hell of a lot for one hog, probably half or on third the body weight of a healthy hog. you should try skip feeding him or her, only put food out every second night.

    Yeah, need to leave them to find their own food else what are they gonna do all night


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    Sure it's not rats giving them a hand?


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,895 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    i just mentioned this to my wife, and she was saying that yvonne from hedgehog rescue dublin was talking on facebook about dealing with an overweight hog - 1700g. one of the difficulties - apart from the extra strain on their legs - if they get overweight is that they can't curl up properly in self-defence.


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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,367 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    It all depends on what size the hedgehog in question is - it could also be an underweight juvenile that needs the extra calories, in which case cutting back on the food wouldn't be a good idea - unless you weigh it, you won't know for sure. And it needs to be at least 800g to make it through winter on its own (600-650g is the bare minimun, it's acceptable if it's an incredibly mild winter with lots of food they can forage). If the hedgehog is hungry, it would go back numerous times throughout the night to eat, but it could also be a case of rats, other cats, or other animals helping themselves.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,367 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    Just in case you need this:

    Contacts for hedgehog experts (licenced):

    https://www.facebook.com/hedgehogrescuedublin/
    https://www.facebook.com/pg/hedgehogrescuedublin/about/?ref=page_internal
    http://thehogsprickle.weebly.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/TheHogsprickle
    **New Wildlife Helpline**

    We are delighted to announce the launch of our new wildlife helpline. Our volunteers will be at the end of the phone whenever wildlife needs us and will offer the best of help and advice available. So please save the number

    Wildlife Helpline 087 620 1270
    https://www.facebook.com/Wildlifeunitkildare/posts/1872737599413581


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,782 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    Who else here is seeing hedgehogs in their garden already,
    No hedgehogs but yesterday I saw a Small Tortoiseshell and a Bumble bee. I'm not sure if it's particularly early for either species??


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Scotty # wrote: »
    No hedgehogs but yesterday I saw a Small Tortoiseshell and a Bumble bee. I'm not sure if it's particularly early for either species??

    Not very early. I had both two weeks ago. It has been an early and mild spring, so far.


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