Hedgehog Homes
If you want to add accommodation for hedgehogs in your garden, then a hedgehog nest box is the perfect option. We would recommend one with an internal tunnel which reduces drafts and ensures they stay toasty warm and dry.
Igloos in our opinion are not suitable winter nests, they do not exclude drafts or provide any insulation, in heavy rain they are also more prone to flooding. Additionally there have been safety concerns raised by other rescues regarding the mesh within some of the igloos.
If you want to have a go at making a box yourself our design with measurements and instructions can be downloaded for free by clicking here.
YOUR HEDGEHOG HOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Where should I site my hedgehog box in the garden?
It’s important to place the hedgehog box in a quiet, sheltered and shady spot, ideally within lots of undergrowth around. It can take them a little while to start using a new box but once it has been in place for a few weeks and left undisturbed they are more likely to take up residence. You can add a few dry leaves or a handful of hay to get them started.
How do I know if my hedgehog box is being used?
The easiest way to gauge if your box is being used is to place a couple of fine twigs across the entrance way, this will allow you to see if anyone is going in and out of the box.
I want to clean out my hedgehog box what’s the best time to do this?
If the box is in use then it is best left undisturbed, the hedgehog should be keeping its own nest clean and maintained. If the box is empty then a spring and early autumn clean is great, just avoid using any harsh disinfectants and that the box is well aired and dried after cleaning.
Avoid disturbing boxes May through to early September as this is hoglet season!
What nesting material should I put in the box?
A handful of dried leaves or hay is a great start for a nest box, hedgehogs are great nest builders and will carry in lots of natural materials to make a nest. If your box is in use you can always leave a pile of dried leaves or hay nearby so that the hedgehog can easily add more to make a bigger nest for winter.
Should I put food and water in the hedgehog box?
We would recommend keeping the nest box and food separate – they are very messy eaters and its important that they keep their nest clean and that the nest box is disturbed as little as possible. A cat proof hedgehog feeding station can easily be made from an upturned stacker box and a couple of bricks.
Feeding Wild Hedgehogs
We recommend feeding cat or kitten biscuits or wet cat/dog food alongside a shallow dish of water.
You can get hedgehog specific foods but sadly these are not regulated and vary in quality.
The main things to look for is high protein and low wheat and sugar content.
One of our favourite brands is Brambles.
The main foods to avoid include:
Bread and milk - hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, just a dish of water is fine!
Meal worms and sunflower hearts - these are thought to be linked with the development of metabolic bone disease and contain little to no nutrition for hedgehogs.
Peanuts - again very little nutrition for hedgehogs but also, we have seen multiple cases of hogs getting peanuts wedged in the roof of their mouth causing obstructions and infections.
FEEDING HEDGEHOGS QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can I feed fish flavoured cat food?
YES, there is no nutritional difference between fish flavours and other flavours, while some hedgehogs do not find fish flavours very palatable, they are in no way harmful. At Prickles and Paws we mix all different flavours together which stops them becoming fussy on flavours.
Can I feed cat or dog food in gravy to hedgehogs?
Yes, nutritionally there will be no difference between those in gravy, jelly or loaf form. Hedgehogs wild diet is very varied and can even include carrion, so any stomach upsets are very unlikely to be caused by the gravy or jelly in tinned foods.
How do I stop cats eating the food I put out for hedgehogs?
A feeding station is the easiest way to deter cats dining with the hedgehogs. These can be bought, or you can easily make one from an upturned stacker box and a few bricks. Place a brick 13cm infront of the entrance and inside, hedgehogs will weave in and out whilst this will deter most cats. Bricks can also be used to make an internal tunnel. Check out the video at the top of the page.
They love meal worms, surely a few can’t hurt?
A few can hurt. Hedgehogs can roam between one and two miles a night visiting multiple gardens. The small amount you put out may also be available in other gardens and a small amount from each equals a very unbalanced diet likely leading to the development of metabolic bone disease. If you stop feeding meal worms it may take them a while to start eating other food you put out for them, but it is very important for their health to not feed meal worms.
Will it harm the hedgehog eating food fallen from bird feeders?
Small amounts of foods which are high in phosphorous foods scavenged from under bird tables and feeders are unlikely to cause significant health issues when the hedgehogs have a naturally balanced wild diet. However, if the fallen peanuts and sunflower hearts can be reduced this is beneficial as hedgehogs can roam between one and two miles a night visiting multiple gardens so it is important to consider what your neighbours may be feeding.