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Hedgehog help needed!

26 replies

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:27

We have a hog in our garden currently, was walking around now stopped in our border. Is this too early for a hedgehog to be out? Does it need help? It's still light here, I would say looks fairly small but not tiny.

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RaininSummer · 24/05/2022 20:32

My hog is out and about. You could put down some cat food for it

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:34

We've put some cat food in front of it, but it's going back to sleep? Or not moving anyway

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Ironmanrocks · 24/05/2022 20:34

Are you in the uk? I would say all creatures would be out of hibernation by now. He should be shuffling around and if you're lucky he will eat all your slugs and snails. You can build a little shelter for him if you like. I'm so jealous! Smile

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georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:39

Yes in the UK! Not shuffling anymore, just in a plant, possibly sleeping now?

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OuiWeeOui · 24/05/2022 20:39

I think we need a photo Grin. They are fine to be out now, put water down for it too not milk
I'm very jealous

mrsfoof · 24/05/2022 20:39

Do you mean early as in it's still daytime? Or early as in they should be hibernating?

If the former, if it looks well and is moving about with a sense of purpose, it's probably fine. Pregnant and nursing females especially are out and about in daylight hours to gather nesting material and / or food. If it's lethargic or has laboured breathing, then it may need help.

If the latter, then no. They're out of hibernation by mid-late April usually and many will have had their first litter of golfers by now.

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:40

It's basically lying on the bowl but not eating. Trying to upload a photo but too big size.

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mrsfoof · 24/05/2022 20:40

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:39

Yes in the UK! Not shuffling anymore, just in a plant, possibly sleeping now?

They're very timid. It's unlikely to wander around if it can see / smell you. Can you observe from indoors or behind a bush / shed?

Wallywobbles · 24/05/2022 20:41

Definitely having water issues this year the hogs.

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:41

Sorry meant early as in daytime. It's not moving now, was basically frozen when we saw it and is just in a bush not eating the cat food we put there. Can they be scared?

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georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:42

Ok cross posting! So shall I leave it for a bit and see if it eats the food? Or moves on?

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georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:46

Not a great photo!

Hedgehog help needed!
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georgedawes · 24/05/2022 20:49

This was it frozen when it saw us! Poor hog!

Hedgehog help needed!
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parietal · 24/05/2022 20:53

definitely offer a shallow bowl of water - it has been very dry

look up
British Hedgehog Preservation Society (Charity)
IF YOU HAVE A HEDGEHOG IN NEED OF HELP PLEASE ALWAYS CALL US ON 01584 890 801, TWITTER NOT CONSTANTLY MONITORED

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 21:01

Water out but Mrs Hog has gone into the night! Possibly had a wee bit of food. How exciting to have a hedgehog in the garden!

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Pricklesinperil · 24/05/2022 21:01

Congratulations on having a hedgehog in your garden @georgedawes

seconding the advice to put out shallow dishes of fresh water

take a look at this site - it’s called Hedgehog Street and gives lots of good advice Hedgehog Street

here’s their specific advice if you think the hedgehog is sick or injured Sick or injured hedgehog

please post back

Pinotpleasure · 24/05/2022 21:05

They are nocturnal but your Hoggy is probably hungry or thirsty. They drink a lot of water! At this time of year with long hours of daylight they do often emerge shortly before dusk. I buy ours the “Bramble” brand of dry hedgehog food from Wilko or Amazon. Our hoggies don’t seem to like ‘wet’ food or kitten food…and dry food helps to keep their teeth sharp.

We have two hedgehogs this year, they make “chuffing” noises at each other and one pushed the other Hoggy out of his way! (I think they’re both males). We put out a garden webcam overnight and we love to see them eating and wandering around the garden. No idea where they are nesting though! If we disturb them they roll up into a ball for approximately 3 minutes. A fox wandered into the garden but after getting a spike on his nose, quickly realised it was best to keep his distance!

If you see a Hoggy during the day, there should be no concern if it is moving with purpose; it’s probably a mother building a best before her hoglets are born. If listless, please contact a Hedgehog rescue ASAP.

Hedgehogs in Britain are declining rapidly in numbers and at risk of becoming extinct. Treasure your hedgehog if you have one visiting your garden. Never give a hedgehog milk to drink as they are lactose intolerant and milk can kill them :(

For info on hedgehogs see:

www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

www.hedgehogstreet.org

Facebook sites include

‘Saving Hedgehogs All Over the UK” (Excellent info)

and although I don’t live near Kent, I really like ‘Hedgehog Rescue Deal’ Facebook page.

Good luck with your hedgehog @georgedawes ! I do hope he isn’t sick and he just needs some TLC with water and food (not bread btw)

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 21:10

Thanks so much for all the advice and links. I did know that they are lactose intolerant but appreciate the reminder, and also important for anyone else reading who may not know! I've left some water outside for it.

DH has seen a hog in our garden last year, but no idea if same one or not. First time I've ever seen one and I'm thrilled! Really hope it's doing well. We have lots of holes in the garden and it's a bit of a wilderness really, so hopefully a good location for it. Lots of natural containers (junk!) with water in etc ..

OP posts:
Christienne · 24/05/2022 21:11

If you see a Hoggy during the day, there should be no concern if it is moving with purpose; it’s probably a mother building a best before her hoglets are born. If listless, please contact a Hedgehog rescue ASAP.

Part time hedgehog rescuer here. The above is right. Any hedgehog out in the day is in trouble unless it is moving with purpose - not meandering/pausing for periods. Yours was in trouble by your description.

Is it still in your garden? Ideally it needs putting somewhere warm, indoors, with access to food and water, and a rescue needs to be called.

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 21:17

Oh no! I stood and watched it for about 5 mins and it didn't move really, just crawled into the plant. After I read that it might be timid, I came inside to see how it was - and it's disappeared completely (we have a big garden). Unfortunately I only saw it for a few seconds initially before it froze, so can't say if it was walking with purpose or not!

What else can I do?

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Christienne · 24/05/2022 21:47

Keep an eye out in the garden over the next day or two … pop food out if you can. It’ll likely come back. When it does, just observe it and take view then. If it’s wobbling or meandering at all, scoop it up (have a tea towel handy folded over a couple of times.. be prepared for it to roll)

Pop it in a high sided box (they are total escape artists). Ideally cover it with strips of newspaper. Water, food and call a rescue

thanks for looking out for them… some reports say they’re declining so rapidly, if they carry on at current rates, they may be extinct in the UK by 2025.

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 21:49

Thanks, will do. I suspect the cats know where it is but they're not saying! We have lots of wood piles, hedgerows, weeds etc so loads of potential hiding places. I'll look tomorrow evening and see if can see it, and put some more cat food out then too.

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TherebytheGraceofGodgoI · 24/05/2022 22:24

Hedgehog rescuer here too. I wouldn’t be concerned about your hog. They can come out early especially if hungry or thirsty. It will ‘freeze’ if you are about, yours obviously legged it when you’d gone. I wouldn’t pick it up either (unless it was obvious it was ill), it could be a nursing mother, the season has started and should be free to return to them.
I’d advise you to put out food and water and it’s very likely it will return. They are creatures of habit and tend to come at the same time every night.

georgedawes · 24/05/2022 23:01

Thanks for all the advice. We'll look again tomorrow and see if he/she returns. Hopefully it's the same hog DH has seen before, and is just doing its normal rounds. I'll definitely try and catch if seems listless tomorrow though.

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Pricklesinperil · 25/05/2022 08:00

@georgedawes if you haven’t already, please log your hedgehog sighting here Hedgehog Street Big Map

The data will help Hedgehog Street in its campaign to ensure that Hedgehogs remain a common and familiar part of British life.