Page 16 - Thrapston Life November 2023

HEDGEHOG CARE
In Thrapston – part 2
Once there is a decent weather forecast with no frosts around late March and when there is evidence of the wild hogs being out and about, they can be released. I put mine in the greenhouse for a couple of nights to get them used to the sounds and smells of the outside world again. The door is then left open, and
I prime an infrared camera to record their escape.
It’s always a mix of emotions as they wander off into their new lives. I can’t tell them apart if they do come back (I don’t mark them in any way), just cross my fingers and clean out their revolting cages ready for the next autumn. I do wince when I see one run over – it may have been one I carefully nurtured over the winter.
Males can travel over a mile a night and both sexes need several gardens a night to provide them with enough food. Having a fence that has gaps: CD size, will let hogs move freely around and improve their chances.
How to create a simple Hedgehog Feeding Station
This should help to protect the food you offer hedgehogs from inclement weather and deter larger mammals from accessing the food, allowing hedgehogs to dine in the dry and in peace! Suitable food to offer would be specialist hedgehog food, white meat cat/dog food or cat biscuits. Don’t forget to offer water!
What will I need?
Large Plastic Storage Box Hacksaw/Strong Scissors Insulation Tape
2 Bricks or Large Stones
1 Very carefully cut a 13cm x 13cm (5” x 5”) square gap in one of the short sides of the box, cover sharp edges with the insulation tape.
2 Place the food and water at the back of the box as far away from the entrance as possible.
3 Place one brick on top of the box to prevent it from being easily moved and another approx. 13cm (5”) away from the entrance to stop larger mammals being able to lie down and hook the food out with their paws.
Voila! A Hedgehog Diner!
Hogs can be released away from where they grew up and I mix a few hogs with other carers to extend the gene pool.
One year I overwintered Boris, Horace, Maurice and Doris. They may have been from the same litter as I found them struggling around the same time. Maurice sadly died. This isn’t uncommon. By the time they are out in the day, they’re already in trouble. Horace kept his cage tidy and caused no problems. Doris just ate and ate. I weighed her before release and she was 1.2kg – too obese to roll up effectively! So, she had a strict diet and went off much sleeker. Boris, like his namesake, was trouble. He broke all the rules, escaped from his cage and found his way up to the living room, happily running across the carpet while we were watching TV.
So, how can you help?
Put food and water out for them: dry dog or cat food (meat flavours only) or specialised hedgehog food. You can make a feeding station
Tel: 01584 890801 www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk Registered Charity Number 1164542
British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 3PL
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