A Question For Any Hedgehog Feeders Here.

[ladybirder]

This has been my first year feeding hogs as I never had any in my garden until this Spring. I know they hibernate October/November time and mine are still feeding at the moment. Can anyone tell me what time your hogs have disappeared into hibernation and which part of the country you are in please? Weather must play a big part I imagine so each year could be different? Thank you.

[fourteen85]

Ours are still feeding at the moment, Lancashire, first year for us as well

[calmck]

It is somewhat dependant on the food supply available so if you are still feeding they will come to eat. Maybe Boatyard will be able to help as he has had hogs for sometime

[ladybirder]

Thanks 1485, yours ought to go for their winter sleep earlier than mine then so we shall see. I was thinking that one day the food I put out for them will be uneaten next morning so I will know. But the fox will eat it so that won't work.

[ladybirder]

Calm do you mean they wouldn't hibernate at all if I keep feeding them?

[sherrardk]

Ours disappear at the start of September, I assume they go off to fill up on proper food as it can’t be cold enough to hibernate yet. Apparently, they wake up during the winter and go looking for food and water so I’m going to continue feeding them over the winter. I’m in Hereford.

[ladybirder]

Sherr do they disappear because you stop feeding them or do you get up one morning and the food is still there untouched?

[sherrardk]

They just stop coming. The ones who visit here are quite bold and will come to the feeder when we are outside (it’s about 3 foot away from the back door) so we actually see them (as opposed to thinking we have hedgehogs who visit in the night). We have lots visiting as they enter the garden from two different points. This year some of them were huge (as long as the feeder which is 30cm) so they’ve had no shortage of food.

[Chipchopper]

I don't feed the ones that visit my garden, I just leave them to find their own food, like slugs etc.
I do however provide shelter for them under the hedges. I really see them apart from the scats they often leave.

[ladybirder]

Thank you Sher. So it sounds by what you say I have to wait for them to stop coming which seems to be the opposite of what calm is saying LOL. I put the dish right outside my patio doors and I see them come and go. They have several entry points under the fence around the garden. Once the dish is empty they disappear into the borders to feed themselves and I can hear them snorting around. I also hear a noise of the dish being moved on the slabs during the night. I love it;-) I think I'll carry on feeding for the moment and check one of the hedgehog sites on line and see what they advise. But it's good to hear the experience of others.
Ah yes, the scats chips, oneway of knowing they are about for sure. Thank you both.

[Tuvok]

As a rule of thumb mine come/go by the times the clocks change.

Saying that they can come earlier than March and be here until November.

Two have been for their tea already tonight - any time from 7.30pm.

(Tonights tea is my first home-made mix for them - the company I get seed mix from has stopped producing a ready-mix so I got in touch and they still stock the individual components - and gave me a rough recipe. I did buy a sample bag of another brand - they never even touched it!)

[Tuvok]

I also go by whats on my wildlife cameras - after a few days/week of no visitors I assume they've gone to bed)

[ladybirder]

Tuvok I love you!! Brilliant. That's what I'll do I'll get a wildlife camera. There is so much going on in my small garden after dark I would love to see. So thank you and thank you for the info about your hogs. Mine like Spikes semi-moist HHog food with banana chopped on top.
Tuvok does another creature eat the food you put out before you know the hogs have hibernated? I know a fox helps itself to mine sometimes. I'm in the South Coast, are you further North than me?

[calmck]

I read somewhere that they will come as long as there is food. Why not ask Boaty on Good morning early birds. He will probably know

[Tuvok]

The only others I get in my garden are pesky cats, the odd mouse (did see a cat catch a mouse once on camera - and saw a hedgy have a mouse as well!!!!) and the birds.

There is also a pheasant in the field behind the house - haven't seen him try the hedgehog stuff!

[ladybirder]

I'll be surprised if I see any more than you Tuvok, except for the fox.
I must look into getting a camera and could I ask if yours uses a battery and if so how often do you have to change it? I've got some old copies of Which magazine so I'll have a look through those and see if there's anything about wildlife cameras.