Angry - sad - heartbroken

[Headfry]

I love nature, crazy about it, always have been!
I love hedgehogs

We have (had) hedgehogs in the garden, so for past two years I have been buying hog fog and putting it out each night, arranging for cover if we go on holiday etc.
I have two top of range hog boxes for them.
This year I have had to remove 3 dead ones from the road, and found one this morning dead just outside its box.

Angry because I am worried that its my fault and I should not have feed them

Sad because if I had not 'lured' them to my garden they would still be alive

Heartbroken, because I really thought I was helping.

What do I do now?
Stop feeding them (if there are any left) and remove the boxes is my plan.......

I need some guidance please....
a very sad and Headfry

[Hans Mum]

oh HF dont beat yourself up, just think if you hadnt fed & provided shelter how many more wouldnt have made it......hedgehogs are notorious for getting run over so I dont think you should blame yourself. The one outside the box may have been ill, dont stop putting food out there may be others about relying on you. [[hugs]]

[Headfry]

All week I put food out and no hogs..... I think they have all gone?
Really dont know what to do for the best!
Thank you for the hugs - I do feel very sad

[roitelet]

They could have started hibernating, keep putting food out so if they are around they can find it. Wait until spring and I am sure some will come back.

[Pumpkin Becki]

Oh HF, please don't blame yourself. You must carry on helping, there will be more hogs around, it may just take them a while to venture into new territory. if you provide a safe haven for them, then they will come I promise.

(((((((((((((BIG HUG)))))))))))

[Headfry]

We had them in the garden until the cold snap at Christmas last year. Just worried that they will end up dead on the road. I have lived here 15 years and this is the first year I have had to clear dead little hogs from road.....?
I know its silly and in the scheme of things and all that, but as I said - I love hogs and just want to do the best by them. yes I will miss seeing them on the feeder but at least they will be safer - I guess?????????

[Nicos]

Not your fault lass- by pigging out at your place they wouldn't have to wander miles hunting for food ( and crossing many more roads)

I've found these stickers...

Hedgehog Crossing Highway Sign Stickers from Zazzle.co.uk

but you can't ( officially) put up signs without local council consent- but who would know who had done it???

There may be others available- but these were the first I found on Google.

I wonder why one died outside the box- that's weird- must have been ill??

Might be worth having a closer look at the next ones to arrive to see if they need medical care- tick removal and antibiotics/worming.
That would really help!

Keep up the good work xx

[HeyWayne]

Cats run out in the road and are killed by cars all the time. Cats wouldn't be here if it wasn't for us.

Keep up the good work HF, we need more people like you in the world.

[scarey55]

I wonder why one died outside the box- that's weird- must have been ill??

Might be worth having a closer look at the next ones to arrive to see if they need medical care- tick removal and antibiotics/worming.
That would really help!

Keep up the good work xx

I believe (though not absolutely sure) that many vets treat wild animals for free so it might not even cost you anything.
Don't beat yourself up about it though. It may be that a couple have been killed on their way to their new home but, as Nicos said, they will have to travel across many other roads in the search for food and they are probably getting good quality food at your "restaurant".
Keep up the good work Headfry

[Nicos]

Cats run out in the road and are killed by cars all the time.

Yup- my beloved cat was squashed soon after we moved here- 7 years in a town...3 weeks in the countryside and he got squashed....did I feel guilty??? Yup....any justification?...nope- not really...sheer bad luck .

[Headfry]

Me too- one of ours cats when young was hit.....survived but that darn road, not so busy but to fast through our little village, frightens the life out of me.
So far this year 1 poor little puss cat and 3 hogs.
Police do speed traps. they stand there in bright yellow jackets - you can see them a mile off, then say we only found 3 speeding cars.grrrrrrr
I just feel so wretched that my food might have brought them across the road, and I only meant to help them - to try and build up their numbers. I loved watching their antics of an evening.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

For what it counts I think you are doing a grand job. It's hard for wildlife to find enough to eat, especially at this time of year. You are making sure the hogs have full tummies Hogs are killed all of the time on the roads, this year has obviously been a bad year. Is it due to you feeding them? Don't think so, more likely you have more idiot speeding drivers. Keep on feeding the hogs

[snuffer]

You mustn't blame yourself headfry. As others have said, how many hedgehogs survive because of your efforts? You are doing a really important job supporting the wildlife in your area. Please keep it up if you feel able.

[Brengirl]

Headfry remember that "Everyday we must die a little" sad but true even for those we love.

[ginger ninger]

H.F, don't go blaming yourself for whats happened is not your fault, your doing a fantastic job, just think of all the hogs you've helped ....don't give up.