The Poultry Keeper

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1196 Location: Cornwall

It's a good job my chooks don't need the heatlamp anymore.

I was over my brothers today and there was a wobbly hedgehog on his lawn. I picked it up with garden gloves and put it in a large box, gave it a tablespoon of tinned dog food, which it ate like it hadn't eaten for months, and brought it home with me.

It's obviously starving, and has been asleep since it had the food. I rang Tiggywinkles Hedgehog rescue when I got home tonight and told them I'd put it in the garage in a big box with straw and some mashed up dog food, bowl of fresh water and a heatlamp over it, and that I'd removed a large tick from it's head. They gave me the number of the local wildlife vet, which is about 20 miles away, and said if I was happy to nurse it then as I seemed to be doing a good job, carry on doing what I'm doing.

They said it should weigh 600gms, I said it weighs about 200gms and is very emaciated. They said if it eats ok and puts on weight, let it go but not anywhere where there may be badgers as they eat hedgehogs. But if its slow putting on weight, to keep it over winter and then release it come next Spring. (I think I'm going to do that instead of risking it dying in the winter).

I hope it survives the night. I think it's this awful weather we've had, and lack of natural food. The poor wee thing was trying to walk and wobbling from side to side.

jimydee · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 28 Location: Ireland

I think you are a top class person, well done, keep it up.
Poor thing, hope it recovers well.

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 218 Location: Derbyshire

Well done you!, keep us up to date with its progress.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1196 Location: Cornwall

Thanks both.

Just been out to check on the little feller and he's sound asleep, had to watch for a minute or two as I thought for one horrible moment he'd died, but he's still going bless him. He must be so exhausted. He's really skinny too.

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 218 Location: Derbyshire

Bless him you will have to take a photo so you can see how much he improves, which I have no doubt he will in your capable hands. (touch wood)

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

definitely - that's one very underweight hedgehog! Does it have any signs of respiratory problems? With all this damp cool weather there are probably a few coming down with bits and pieces like that.

if you can get hold of any crickets or mealworms, preferably live but dried if not then they will be a good supplement too, as will worms from the garden and eggs. Don't feed them slugs and snails, though they do eat them in the wild occasionally, it's usually only if there is no other food around and they carry lungworm which (besides humans) is the biggest killer of hedgehogs.

Also I can't for the life of me remember why but fish flavoured cat food is not good for them - if I remember the reason I'll let you know!

Make sure it has a lot of water too, they drink a hell of a lot more than you'd expect.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1196 Location: Cornwall

Thanks for the tips Vikki.

I've downloaded an information sheet from the tiggywinkle hedgehog hospital, and when I spoke to them on the phone tonight they gave me some good advice too.

he doesnt seem to have any respiratory problems, he's just totally exhausted bless him. They said he should fatten up to 600gms by October, but by then it will be coming up to hibernation time, so I think I'll make him a nice home in the garage by then and keep him over winter, (gives me time to get my hedgehog house situated in a suitable place in the garden as thats in garage at moment too).

Then release him in the spring when the weathers nice.

Just been out and checked him again and he's still sound asleep and as warm as a bug in a rug under that heatlamp. The straw's not moved so he's evidently been fast asleep since I last checked.

I think they have problems digesting fish, but I've got a big supply of dog food and cat food.

Tiggywinkles said to give him some crunchy cat biscuit too ontop of his meat. So will give him some of that tomorrow for breakfast too.

If all goes well and he survives the night I'll take a pic tomorrow and post up here for everyone to see him. He is one mega thin little chap.

CP · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:39 am Post subject:

Aww, well done Pekinout. Poor little thing, I hope it survives. Wink

Can you tell if it's boy/girl?

Would love a hedgehog here. I've not seen one at all in my garden during the 14 years we've lived here.

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Nottinghamshire

Aww, the poor thing. How's (s)he this morning?

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7370 Location: isle of lewis

he he gets on ok for you

debbieduck · Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 51 Location: South Yorkshire

I have a firend nursing a sick hedgehog too, must something to do with the lovely summer. Best of luck with him X

shire horse girl · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 519 Location: lincoln

Do hope [s]he is Ok .

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1196 Location: Cornwall

He's still alive today, looks like he hasnt moved since last night and is fast asleep bless him. He's not touched his breakfast.

Teasal · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:45 pm Post subject:

Well done, for helping the hedgehog.

I read somewhere, that with our funny seasons, a lot of hedgehogs were breeding at funny times, and having babies when they shouldn't and also not hibernating because of the mild winters, so babies were going in to the winter not as big as they should, and then dying.

It sounds like your hedgehog has filled its belly, and is now having a long sleep. Fingers crossed it will put on weight - just watch it does not get too tame and end up as a pet hedgehog! Thats the danger with wild birds and animals. I rescue all sorts of creatures, and return them to the wild when better, but have to remember they are wild and must not be too reliant on humans for food.

My friend has one that lives in her hay store in the stable, among the hay. The gardener was there one day and told me he had nearly scooped it up with some loose hay he was moving!

Chickmeout · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject:

Yay Mrs. Tigglewinkle! =D