Hedgehogs

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AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,703 posts

210 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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We released four hedgehogs into our gardens last year.

We then stumbled across a nest with six babies in it. Having not seen the mother for a few days and watched two babies die, we have taken matters into our own hands and brought the remaining four in to look after them. We have been advised by the local hedgehog rescue centre on how to look after the hoglets.

3-4 hourly feeds. Eek.



Anyone had first hand experience?

Edited by AstonZagato on Saturday 4th July 22:15

dudleybloke

19,826 posts

186 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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thumbupthumbup

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,703 posts

210 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
That's a video for extra cuteness.

Two have taken immediately to the syringe. Two are less sure but they have taken the special milk eventually. phew first hurdle overcome.

dudleybloke

19,826 posts

186 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Did they say how long till they are weaned?

MGJohn

10,203 posts

183 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Remarkable. Well done ... thumbup

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,703 posts

210 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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They are 2 to 3 weeks old. Should start weaning them at six to eight weeks.

Two are doing well. One is a bit slow to take the milk. One is struggling.

Cliftonite

8,408 posts

138 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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creationracing said:
I've hand-reared rejected African pygmy hedgehogs, but I understand the wild ones are quite different. Anyway, if they're eating and you're managing to get them to pass poo and wee, then they're doing well.

Good on you - there are less and less of them around and saving one or two is a good thing.
Are they like very young pups (dogs) insofar as their 'privates' need to be tickled to make them perform?

The doggie mothers lick them there to stimulate this response. Humans might like to use a different method on them.

smile


AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,703 posts

210 months

Sunday 5th July 2015
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Up to what age do they need this?

ali_kat

31,990 posts

221 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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love

Good luck :thumbup;

dudleybloke

19,826 posts

186 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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Any updates? + More pics needed!!

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,703 posts

210 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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We found one going off quickly and we weren't getting them to take food consistently. In the end, the rescue centre agreed to take them in. If they can get them stable, we are happy to foster them.

I think we might have waited too long to take them in, hoping that the mother would return.

s3fella

10,524 posts

187 months

Friday 10th July 2015
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AstonZagato said:
We released four hedgehogs into our gardens last year.

We then stumbled across a nest with six babies in it. Having not seen the mother for a few days and watched two babies die, we have taken matters into our own hands and brought the remaining four in to look after them. We have been advised by the local hedgehog rescue centre on how to look after the hoglets.

3-4 hourly feeds. Eek.



Anyone had first hand experience?

Edited by AstonZagato on Saturday 4th July 22:15
Weirdly we too have just rescued or had rescued 5 tiny baby hedgehogs! Noticed one in middle of the lawn at 530pm, size of a kids fist. Got it safe in a box and gave it some water which it was mad for. Called twiggy winkles it's about an hour away, but open 24 hours. Thought I may drop it in later on this evening. But searched for a more local place, found a number for a chap in next town along, called him, told him the story and he said I'll be 20 mins!
So he turns up, in what looks like a PH friendly s13, said little lady is 4 weeks old, not had milk in 2 days and there should be more near about. He said within 20 ft, as she was too week to go much further. Cue him doing a David Bellamy in our birders, cooing with delight at how great it is for wildlife (read totally unkempt) and sure enough, there's a big pile of leaves and old placcy bags, moss you name it! The beaming smile on his face and the look of astonishment on the kids faces as he pulled out 4 more babies, all cold, one with a tick, hungry etc! We were euphoric!

So he stuck them all in his bucket of shredded newspaper and off he goes! Amazing, they were no more than 30ft from our patio that we live on in the summer and we had not a clue. Poor old mum is no doubt gone but thanks to a fortuitous sighting the the knowledge and enthusiasm of this hedgehog guy, the prospects for the 5 offspring are hopefully good.

Cheered us all up for the weekend!

Nightmare

5,187 posts

284 months

Friday 10th July 2015
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thats fantastic S3 - nice one for finding someone who obviously knows their stuff! shame for mum of course....but fingers crossed for 5 replacements smile will you be able to get updates from him do you think?

ali_kat

31,990 posts

221 months

Friday 10th July 2015
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clap

s3fella

10,524 posts

187 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
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They were so cute too! But it's so amazing that their nest is huge, but under a low lying branch a but like a cedar branch but at ground level, (no idea what the bush is in the border), it's completely hidden from view and we had no clue they were right there! I suppose that's the idea!
No sign of mum last night I sat out till late. And whilst we have seen a n adult hog about once or twice in the last few years, never seen them nightly, that's for sure.

Sent chappy a decent donation toward board and lodgings!

s3fella

10,524 posts

187 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
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They were so cute too! But it's so amazing that their nest is huge, but under a low lying branch a but like a cedar branch but at ground level, (no idea what the bush is in the border), it's completely hidden from view and we had no clue they were right there! I suppose that's the idea!
No sign of mum last night I sat out till late. And whilst we have seen a n adult hog about once or twice in the last few years, never seen them nightly, that's for sure.

Sent chappy a decent donation toward board and lodgings!

AstonZagato

Original Poster:

12,703 posts

210 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
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We have just been over to the rescue centre. One of ours is doing very well but the others succumbed to a virus. frown

They want us to take the remaining one back once he is weaned and keep him until he is ready to be released. We will then release him into the garden.

s3fella

10,524 posts

187 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
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Shame poor Devils.

I got an update from the hedgehog fella about our lot!

"thank you so much for your very kind donation. I really struggle financially, i can't get funding from anywhere, i could do so much more. i really appreciate your help. perhaps you could encourage others to donate a pound or two each month. i can give you standing order info to share.

your tribe are all doing really well. they've warmed up nicely, and all have great appetites. there are 3 girls and 2 boys, from 67g to 78g in weight. it was the smallest who saved the others.

i'm having to syringe feed them every few hours at the moment. sometimes i ask why i create so much extra work for myself by searching for the other brothers and sisters, i nearly always find them lol. a small sacrifice that is so worth paying. they should be able to feed themselves in a week or so, and i will soon catch up on sleep."

If anyone feels so inclined, the place is called Brackley Hogwatch, there's a blog site with some info on it. Andrew that runs it is a real nice chap and proper hedgehog mad!

I'm hoping when they are all well and grown up we can get them back into the garden, I've kept the nest just in case! Im going to have to come up with some names, post suggestions and maybe I will do a vote!


Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

203 months

Monday 13th July 2015
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Been suggested before, Harley Davidson the Hogs?

s3fella

10,524 posts

187 months

Monday 13th July 2015
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Yes Harley is good.

I thought maybe 'Wedge' 'Portia' and proximity to Mercedes F1 even 'Lewis' and 'Nico'! Could even have Nicky for one of the girls! Lol