Where is my hedgehog?

[swinton1]

Our hedgehog hasn't been into the garden for a number of nights now. I believe it is a female (seen with young a couple of years ago). Is it probable that she is tending young and not straying far from the nest or something alot worse?

Usually makes an appearance at 10.30 each night.

Thanking you in advance!

[dilligaf]

With a hedgehog you sometimes have to fear the worse. I f there are young they will probably visit the same sites at their mother used to .
It could be she is just preparing for hibernation. Although we have had some very good weather recently animals do have good sense and know winter is approaching. Hope this this is the reason you have not been visited . Look forward to Spring.

[dilligaf]

Forgot to add. You obviously care about your hedgehog. I do hope you are not listening to others and eeding it bread and milk. A kindness to it would be water abd cat or dog food (tinned) I'me sure it will be back.

[honkytonkman]

Nice to find another hedgehog fan! :) I have hedgehogs that regularly visit... this year it's a large one (possibly a mother) and a young one. But they don't tend to visit every night. Apparently hedgehogs can have a round of 9-10 gardens so it's possible that they have other food sources so you'll be visited another night. Cat food (non fishy - according to the St Tiggywinkles website) or dog food is a great supplement to their diet. As dilligaf says, bread and milk is a no-no for hedgehogs. But always put out a shallow sauce of water for them. I'm about to order a ready-made wooden hedgehog house in time for winter, as many gardens these days don't have suitable nesting sites i.e. no compost heaps or dense shrubberies. After a stressful day at work I find it's nice to come home and worry about something pleasant like the welfare of 'my' hedgehogs :)

[swinton1]

Many thanks everyone!

Still no sign of hedgehog.  Will keep you all posted, she does seem to be very keen on dog biscuits, sunflower kernals, boiled ham and slithers of chicken.

[swinton1]

Just returned from holiday, I have my hedgehog back Yipee!!   Seems to be healthy and eating well.  It is so relaxing to watch her in the garden, must buy a fleece!!!

Many thanks everyone!!