Master Prickles

[skarloey]

I've just found a juvenile hedgehog on my front garden. I know they are not 'sposed to be out in the day so I rang our local wildlife rescue centre (Brentlodge - marvelous place ;D) and they said what I suspected and that he definitely shouldn't be out in the day and that he's probably too small to hibernate which is why he's out now, trying to fatten himself up. Would I collect him up and take him to them.
So I have tucked him up in a box and when OH gets home (he's got my car coz his is knackered ) we will take him along.
There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with him, all his limbs are moving and I can't see any obvious injuries so hopefully, Brentlodge can overwinter him and let him out in the spring.
Oh one more thing, if you do pick one up, watch out for the prickles, they are really sharp!

[lottielady]

Ahhh Hedgehogs are so cute! Have you taken a photo of him?

LLx

[Deleted]

Ah that was kind of you Skarloey ;D

[skarloey]

LL, I knew someone would ask ;D......... hang on, I'll be a few minutes.......

[skarloey]

Here he is......







Whoops, made the first one too small but you get the picture! ;D

[sweetleaf]

Good for you skarloey, I did much the same last year... our Hedgehog place is called Mrs Tiggywinkles!
Tiggy left here in my tea cosey (and I havent seen it since) and is doing well now, I`ve been told, still at the centre though as he didnt want to leave

[lottielady]

Oh he is so cute! Well done on rescuing the little fella!

LL x

[skarloey]

;D ;D ;D ;D

I feel all maternal.

[Plocket]

Oh well done for rescuing him - he is soooo cute (I want one!!!). Keep us posted with his progress - will you try and have him back when winter is over?

[skarloey]

I've asked OH to make me a hedgehog box all summer but he hasn't got round to it... yet.... I suspect it's a bit late now although I hear full grown hedgehogs don't actually hibernate till it's really cold. But yes Plocket, I'm going to ask if I can have him back in the spring. Not sure if I will be able to but I will definitely have a box by then even if I have to make/buy it myself! ;D

[Cheerypeabrain]

Have a Hero badge young lady. I am dead impressed. Since I moved to Leicester I haven't seen many hedgehogs (except for pancake ones)..there should be loads around here because there's quite a lot of hedgerow, parkland and a golf course....might be because they're nocturnal...

[Dutchy]

Ooh sweet little fella that. Apart from the prickles be careful of the fleas too. They seem to collect those.
My, well it lives in my garden so I think I can call it mine, Hedgehog simply uses the debris of the garden that I pile up in one corner it builds a little personal mound in it and seems to do quite well. I did not know what it was the first year as it looked like a funny mole heap. Took a peek and quickly covered it up again. We are still friends though. ;D
Dutchy

[Deleted]

I love hedgehogs, not seen one in years though

Watch out for fleas on them they are usually bigger than what you get on cats and a dark red colour.

Any ideas on how to attract them into your garden? there are thousands of slugs and snails on offer here.

[Cheerypeabrain]

um....Skarloey...how do you know it's Master Prickles and not Miss Prickles?

[Deleted]

Cute hedgehog !! Do try and get hime back in the spring because I understand they love eating slugs!! I have one in my back garden and he is very comical to watch - surprising how quick they can move!!

[Plocket]

skarloey said:

I've asked OH to make me a hedgehog box all summer but he hasn't got round to it... yet.... I suspect it's a bit late now although I hear full grown hedgehogs don't actually hibernate till it's really cold. But yes Plocket, I'm going to ask if I can have him back in the spring. Not sure if I will be able to but I will definitely have a box by then even if I have to make/buy it myself! ;D

There were instructions on making a hedghog house in the November issue of Gardeners' World weren't there?

[Deleted]

According to this link www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/FAQS/Aut.htm

Young hedgehogs can and will hibernate at 450gms (1lb) or less but are unlikely to survive. It is preferable for them to weigh 600gms (22oz) in order to hibernate successfully and be in sufficiently good condition to survive post hibernation.

[Plocket]

Here you go Skarloey - print it off quick!! ;D

www.gardenersworld.com/contentgw/issues_new/0611/sections/freshideas/

[skarloey]

We're back!!!! And I feel terrible
I'd put him in a box but he was really cold. If you find one of these youngsters, they need wrapping right up in towels and newspaper because they get very cold very quickly. By the time we got him to the hospital, he wasn't doing very well. I have been given his admission number and I can ring and check on his progress.
DID YOU KNOW that it costs £120 to look after a hoglet (the name for a baby hedgehog, thanks to Goldilocks over the way for that) through the winter. Flippin' heck I didn't think it would be that much. We gave a donation (as we do every time we take a waif or stray there) but I reckon I might give them something regularly.
I asked if I could have him back in the spring but because they have to have a 'soft release' (getting them used to going out gradually) I can't. Oh well, I'll just have to build a box and entice a healthy adult in. Thanks for the tips about boxes, I have got the November issue and I also have other instructions that I have bookmarked thoughout the year!!
I think I'll ring in a couple of days and I'll let you all know how he/she is doing. I'll also ask if they know whether it is Master or Miss Prickles. ;D
Oh one other thing, when she picked him up, she gave him a great big sniff!! Well, I just had to ask what she was doing and she reckoned she could tell whether or not it had any major infections or not just by sniffing it! Well I'll tell you, there is no way I'm going to sniff my patients when I pick them up but then I can sniff out an old persons Urinary Tract Infection at 100 yards! ;D

[Chuckles]

Thank goodness you found it and he now has a chance of survival. So cute looking.

[Deleted]

With you on that one Skarloey....NO WAY am I sniffing my patients up close - but often, as you say, you don't even have to get close

[Deleted]

skarloey well done you for saving him her .

Karenwl

[Plocket]

LP was watching her Animal Hospital "Babies" DVD yesterday and it had a little hedgehog - the woman that runs the rescue centre gives them wooly hats as sleeping bags - I hope your hoglet is looked after that well.

[skarloey]

Hello everyone,

Master Prickles was put to sleep last night. He was just too poorly to try to help. He was also blind in both eyes.

I'm having a really crap day! First told OH's car is going to cost £2,200 to fix, then the allotment and now poor old Master Prickles. I don't 'do' crying but I've got a right old lump in my throat!

[Plocket]

Oh NOOOOOOOOOOO! Oh Skarloey <hug>

[skarloey]

Thanks Plocket.

[Plocket]

I know! Goodness I feel sad so I can only begin to imagine how you are feeling - what a grotty day. <hug>

[Chuckles]

They say things come in 3's Skarloey What a rotten day you've had, I think you would feel soooooooooooooooo much better if you had a good cry.

Here I'll cry with you





Hope you feel better after that

[skarloey]

Hi BB,

Thanks, you made me smile! Just a small one but it was definitely a smile!

Actually, I'd have rather have had a great big drink but really don't want to tip myself over the alcoholism edge and start drinking this early! Might take a hip flask with me to see Bond tonight though!

[Deleted]

Oh, how sad, poor little chap