Hedgehog food

[Val]

Does anyone put out food for the hedgehogs?I've been given a box of dried hedgehog food but a bit concerned it'll attract rats and mice.Has anyone had any problems with them?

[honeybee]

I have fed hedgehogs in the past, but now i dont even feed the birds as it brings in the field mice so for me its not something i do anymore, unfortunately.

[quinny]

FEED the HOGS!!!

[Carol]

I feed the hedgehogs but usually late summer.  I usually put out Cat food which they enjoy?   plus water.   Not Milk.  they cannot digest milk.   No sign of mice around.


 

[MagpieDi]

FEED the HOGS!!!

Definitely Quinny!!

Just ignore the rats and mice and enjoy the hedgies !! 

[Val]

I think I'll put out the food I've got...no sense in wasting it. Do I hide it under a bush or just leave it in the open?

[wardy]

Maybe if you give the hh's food they won't eat your slugs 

[Val]

Its only a small box but I wouldn't buy it on a regular basis.

[honeybee]

Thats the priniciple that i work on Wardy, there are enough natural resources particularly in the spring/summer months for our wildlife to survive quite naturally.

[chriszog]

My Hogs usually just clear up any mess left under the bird feeders. They especially like crushed nuts if you want to add any extra for them.
Chriszog

[Val]

Nope I don't want to add extra or to feed them at all.I was given it with a pressie..the hog food. just wondering what to do with it...thanks for the suggestions though...Now anyone got any to cure the after effects of a cold..its making me feel worse than the cold did....

[wardy]

A good malt whiskey usually does the trick for me (or even better, two or three)     Keep up your fluids at all costs 

[Marianne]

Hi Val,

I hope your cold has gone and that all is well with Hedgehog.
 

[Val]

Thanks...I'm finding it harder to shake stuff off as the years go by ..Sorry everyone I sounded really crabby in my post. I've had a few hot toddies and bought some sinus tabs, I do feel better today, got the hairdressers this afternoon, that might perk me up when the mop is off. I've hidden the hog box under the pampass grass , still haven't put the food out...I saw another mickey in the compost bin....oh yuk, so thats put me off.....

[Marianne]

Aawww poor Val.  Hope the visit to the hairdresser perked you up a little.  It always does me, although I only have my hair chopped off, no perm for me. 

I thought I saw something small and black run from underneath my kitchen table under the welsh dresser.  We put down a friendly trap and sure next morning, we had caught a tiny little field mouse and it was good to return to its right environment.

Take care Val 

[Val]

Hi Marianne, feel better today thanks, I hate the hairdressers...going...but always feel better when I've had it done, just a cut and a colour, to hide the grey round the sides,, I'm not ready for the blue rinse just yet ;Dalthough I'd love to go a lovely silver, I've still got a lot of skin colour so it wouldn't look right now, just faded. It must be all that gardening, gives a healthy glow . I've just noticed a sparrow pulling my hanging basket to bits.I've used a multi liner from B&Q. and its pulling it apart.  ;DI had wondered why its gone out of shape....now I know, still I hope its babies are nice and comfy.

[Merlins Mum]

Val, do you moisten the food before putting it out, would have thought you would.  I would keep it and use it if we have a very dry summer.  That's when I put cat food out for the hedges because there aren't so many slugs for them to eat when it's dry.

MM

[Carol]

Yes, same with me.  I feed the hedgehogs late summer from August onwards and usually cat food, nice n moist for them.
with a dish of water to go with it!!!

[Val]

Thanks , I'll do that, it makes more sense and will build them up for the winter

[Gadfium]

If a hedgehog is 450g+ in weight, by the time winter rolls in, then it will be have sufficient fat/bodyweight to hibernate through.

If you see any little, late-litter, hogs ambling about come that time then they will die unless they are provided with suitable garden accommodation & food, or whisked off to a wildlife sanctuary (not many about, and usually already heaving with hundreds of over-wintering late babies).

You are fine feeding them cat food, although this can be a little rich, and a mix of cat food & something like Chappie (dog food) often is a better alternative.... but only if you already have a mixed pet household, otherwise it is expensive & a lot goes to waste, with having two tins open at the same time.

To drink, water only, particularly in summertime - they can dehydrate quickly & die.

If you see a hedgehog wandering about in daylight it is generally a sign that things are far from well. Usual culprits are poisoning, flystrike (especially the little ones), parasite over-load (usually internal, leading to respiratory/pneumonia type problems), dehydration, entanglement in rubbish (check feet for circulation), and trauma due to encounters with cars, pets and people - lots of re-homed 3-legged-amputees about, happily slug-eating in protected gardens.

They are among the toughest of our native wildlife, and can survive parasite and poison loads that would kill most other animals. Give them half a chance, and they surprise you with recovery from the most horrific damage.

I like them.