Hedgehogs Out In The Day

[Barmaid]

We have a resident hedgie who lives under one of the front door plant pots. Those pots have not been disturbed for many years and particularly not in the past 2 years since we identified that is a hedgie house.

Over the last few evenings Mr (or Mrs) Hedgie has been venturing out earlier and earlier. 4 nights ago it was 7.30, last night it was 6, tonight he is about at 5.30. I always though that hedgies out in the day was a bad sign.

There is plenty of food for a hedgie in this garden - plus I put down cat food and raw eggs.

Should I leave him to it or should I seek help?

[DTCwordfan]

Make sure you have no badgers near, hedgies are a delicacy for them and with the explosion of badger numbers, hedgies are under serious threat.

[sherrardk]

Twiggy winkles say that hedgehogs out in the day need help - http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/hedgehogs.html

[sherrardk]

(But if you take it somewhere they probably won't give it back to you.)

[Barmaid]

I've not seen a badger on the estate DT. On the outskirts, yes, but not actually on the estate. Hoggie is currently slurping his/her way through an eggy!

[frugalfred]

http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/

Telephone [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
This organisation will be able to advise. Give them a call or e-mail

[Tuvok]

I have to wait till after 11pm before mine turn up for their grub!

[jomifl]

Hedgehogs can suffer from a parasite which blinds them, hence they come out during the day. If it appears to be blind, catch it and take it to a hedgehog rescue centre othewise it's days are numbered. We found a blind hedgehog in our garden during the day walking through the snow. It was re-homed to a walled garden where it couldn't get lost and an eye could be kept on it.

[Barmaid]

That;s what worried me Sherrard. I never see him other than early evening. Although tonight is the earliest. Still he/she seems happy enough with my offering of an egg.

[sherrardk]

Boy #1 rescued a hedgehog at school today (picked it up using his school sweatshirt - probably crawling in fleas now) so maybe seeing them in the daytime is not that unusual.

[Chipchopper]

It's usually said that if you see hedgehogs about during the day there could be something wrong with them.
Try to get a close look for any obvious signs of ill health and if so consult a wildlife rescue expert.

I found one once that had a prolapse

[craft1948]

I had to rescue a hedgehog which for some reason was hiding under my car one afternoon. I only noticed it because the car had been surrounded by some large cawing birds and the neighbours cat. After shooing them away I hid it in my shrubbery (so as to speak)

[Chipchopper]

Many suffer from slug pellet poisoning

[EcclesCake]

Catch him/her using an old towel, put in a deep box (they're good climbers) and contact your local rescue centre which is quite easy to find with the links already provided.

My biggest concern is if she is female and feeding at the moment :-(

[Barmaid]

I'm a bit concerned that it is out during daylight. I'm used to seeing him/her after dark or on the CCTV but it was a shock when it walked past my bench earlier.

It's a bit late to do anything now, but I'll phone someone tomorrow for some proper advice (no offence to Abers who always give great advice). Although looking at it, it appears fine.

[whiskeryron]

Do not let your mad neighbour get at it she may very well want to bake it in clay.

WR.

[Connemmara]

I am very afraid of them - sorry. Really am.

[josaphine32]

Kate, my daughter works at tiggywinkles wild life hospital, she said it is a little early for the hog to come out, but if the ground is very dry and hog can not get a balanced diet, and if hog is pregnant or feeding then that may be why, does hog look thin, does hog look unwell, if you can try to put meal worms down if they are dry soak for 20 mins,,

[Barmaid]

lol, Hedgie will be quite safe on my watch. I'll get some advice tomorrow and then update.

I love to see the Hedgie and the blackbirds and their young. I do what I can.......

[josaphine32]

Glad you are also going for help tomorrow, can you look at hog to see if there are injuries, I have 3 hogs in my garden, but in my bedroom I have 5 cotton tail wild rabbits, I foster wild life, all are doing well, 1 was 60 grams, and tiny but tiny tim has put on 30 grams in a week.x

[Barmaid]

Josaphine, thank you. Hedgie doesn't look thin or unhealthy. Whilst the ground round here is generally dry atm our garden isn't because we water it regularly. I've been putting out raw eggs, cat food and soaked fruit (sultanas, raisens, currants etc) for Hedgie. He/she has taken 1 1/2 raw eggs this afternoon and before shut up for the night I'll put down some soaked fruit and/or some cat food.