Since nalubong na ang mga important posts sa 'Hedgehog Lovers Thread', I created this post for easy access.
Hedgehog Facts
Every hedgehog owner should first visit this page.
It has all the general information about hedgehogs - weaning age, breeding age, quilling stages, diet, best room temperature, housing, life span and etc.
Hedgehog Behavior
- on balling up, scratching, self-anointing, burrowing, nocturnal and etc
Hedgehog FAQ(s)
Prepare a Cage
a.) I suggest a plastic bin cage, much easier to clean and lightweight and the size ofcourse we would like our hedgehogs have enough space so it depends on you, for me i use L-45cm W-29.9cm H-16.5cm, and put a proper ventilation cut open the cover and put some chicken wire. And prepare a cage for each hedgehog that you own.
b.) Choose a bedding it can be kusot[woodshavings with no wood dust] some use papers strips. This can help absorb the smell of the urine and feces and it would be less messier.
Choosing a Hedgehog
a.) when buying hedgehogs from a breeder i suggest you visit the breeder's herd, it is much better, why? it is simple you can check the environment of the hedgehog you are buying and you can see it walking around, you can see easily the deformities and other possible problems and the best thing you can choose from the hedgehogs available
Hedgehog Diet and Nurtrition
a.) it is a good idea to limit protein percentages to around 30 percent, fat percentages to below 15, and fiber to 15 percent or higher and all natural,, but here mostly we feed them Cat foods
b.) some give multivitamins mixed with their water but take note you should change their water within 24hours if not consumed
Breeding
a.) 6-7 months would be the best age to breed. they don't heat Ovulation is induced by male. Just put the female in the cage of the male and wait until they do their thing. Some put the hedgehogs together until they see them do their thing, some one week and some two weeks straight, it all depends on you, if your confident that your male hedgehog has a very strong sperm and once see they do it, it is fine.
b.) They have 35 days gestation until hoglets are born.
c.) Prepare the nest box a week before expected due date and clean the cage
d.) If the food you gave the night before the expected date is not moved and you can here some chirping sounds then hoglets are born, it is best not to disturb the nest box, you can try peeking at the nestbox through the opening to confirm but you must be very careful not to stress out the mother or you can lure her out by putting a treat.
e.) Don't open the cage or disturb it very often because it will end up on dead hoglets im sure you would'nt like that.
Confirming Pregnancy this is very hard and unsure on hedgehogs but here are some signs that might tell us if the hedgehog is pregnant or not:
a.)Weighing
Weigh the female hedgehog before giving her a date with the male hedgehog and if she gains more than 50grams she might be pregnant
b.)Diet
She would be eating and drinking more than her usual food/water intake.
c.)Smell
The smell of her urine and feces would be much stronger
d.)Nipples
Her nipples would be more obvious, grow bigger and would be more pink or reddish
Source:
by Zerobyte of PPF
See link
http://www.philippinepetfinder.com/f...?f=23&t=132087
Other questions:
1. Dog food or Catfood for hedgehogs?
A: Cat food is advisable for their daily meals. Dog food are okay for TREATS ONLY.
[1] [2]
2. Superworms
A: Hedgehogs loooove SW. These are good for treats only not as daily food as they are fatty and lack nutritional value.
or visit my blog:
What every hedgehog pet owner must know….
Enjoy!
Thanks to the Hedgehog Lovers for the info!
FAQ about Hedgehogs
Originally Posted by Badme
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