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Original poster

Hedgehog Help!

61 replies

MrInbetween · 16/10/2023 20:22

Can anyone remember the Mumsnet Hedgehog experts name?

There is a little hedgehog in our garden, not running away from us. Just gave it some dog food and water, he’s/she’s (?) gone into a bush now.

But at what point should they have gone into hibernation? It’s gone from being so mild to bloody freezing here. It looked like it was breathing rapidly.

My DD was all for bringing it in but I am worried it’s too early?

Will go out tomorrow night to check again.

OP posts:
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Hedgehogsaremyjam · 16/10/2023 20:34

They are prey animals so they will often freeze or ball up but when they are hungry they will carry on eating even if you are close.

It is really important to leave them be however and watch using white light around them as it is bad for their night vision. It is important they stay wild.

If you can pick up a cheap trail camera then you could set up a feeding station and get some lovely videos for DD to watch in a morning.

Hedjwitch · 16/10/2023 20:33

Dd rescued one last week that was wandering about in a friends garden. Very underweight. The local hedgehog hospital said they were full. SsPCA chap came and took it away to feed it up.

Hedgehog Help!
Hedgehog Help!
Original poster
MrInbetween · 16/10/2023 20:32

And obviously I’m now going to get kitten food first thing tomorrow.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Original poster
MrInbetween · 16/10/2023 20:31

44PumpLane · 16/10/2023 20:30

I bloody love a hedgehog thread!!!

Even better if you can get a photo!

Oh I didn’t! I definitely will do if hedgehog comes back, we’ve seen him a few times now!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrInbetween · 16/10/2023 20:30

Thank you so much!

Are they normally so happy to let you be so close?

OP posts:
44PumpLane · 16/10/2023 20:30

I bloody love a hedgehog thread!!!

Even better if you can get a photo!

Hedgehogsaremyjam · 16/10/2023 20:29

I run a hedgehog group on Facebook and I am vale trained.

There is plenty of time still for a hog to put on weight with support feeding they can put on between 50 to 100 grams a week and not all hogs hibernate.

Please leave the hog outside and keep providing food (preferably a kitten biscuit) and water.

NotObligedToArgueWithStrangers · 16/10/2023 20:28

RudsyFarmer · 16/10/2023 20:24

As long as it’s not out in the day it’s fine. If you can make a feeding station and give it plenty of fresh water and high protein kitten biscuits, it will be fine.

Definitely this. Unless it's out in daylight (in which case it needs to go to an experienced rescue) then put out food and enjoy its company until it decides to go to bed.

Original poster
MrInbetween · 16/10/2023 20:24

Oh sorry don’t know why I enabled voting.

YANBU - Take hedgehog in and give it a name
YABU - Leave it out as it should go into hibernation soon

Used AIBU for traffic!

OP posts:
RudsyFarmer · 16/10/2023 20:24

As long as it’s not out in the day it’s fine. If you can make a feeding station and give it plenty of fresh water and high protein kitten biscuits, it will be fine.

StBrides · 16/10/2023 20:24

Hedgehog Cabin on social media are brilliantly helpful for questions like this too