Summary
Should wildlife be fed?
Hedgehogs
Birds
The presence of an animal
Should wildlife be fed?
Feeding wildlife can be done with the noblest intentions. However, this is done sparingly.
If we generate a dependency with the human being, several scenarios are possible:
- the animal will no longer be able to feed itself in the wild and will be in great danger;
- the animal reproduces in higher numbers than it should and creates an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Hedgehogs
Avoid feeding the hedgehogs, but position a “natural” food source close to them, such as a compost heap, which is full of insects.
Hedgehogs, however, need a lot of energy to hibernate. Thus, in autumn, we can put on their way mealworms, earthworms or dried insects. They appreciate what is rich in protein and fat.
At the end of hibernation, for 1 or 2 months, hungry and weakened hedgehogs also need to recover their strength. [1]
Hedgehogs can be opportunistic, although primarily insectivorous. They can feed on many things (kibbles for animals, fruits, for example). However, if they are fed too often, they become dependent on humans and no longer know how to manage their diet on their own. This is why a nearby food source or insects on their paths (in reasonable quantities and only before and after hibernation) is ideal, if necessary (if they are weakened, hungry...).
For water, a rather flat container (so as not to drown) with water at room temperature will do the trick at the end of hibernation, for 1 or 2 months. Change the water and clean the container every 2/3 days.
Birds
The LPO [2] recommends feeding birds only in winter and especially during periods of prolonged cold, [3] particularly when snow and frost limit access to food .
Waterer
Birds also need water, which should be changed regularly (especially for flat containers where the water will freeze).
Birds also like water to clean themselves. A shallow birdbath will also be appreciated.
Secure the place
Feeder and waterer will be placed away from predators. There are several models, suspended or not.
Diseases
If there are a lot of birds, having several places can reduce excessive concentrations that can help the circulation of disease.
Regular cleaning of the feeder and watere also helps prevent the spread of disease.
Feed
For food, give unprocessed foods (no salt, no sugar, no grilled...) such as:
- seed mixtures,
- natural peanuts, walnuts,
- withered fruits,
- vegetable fat (but without palm oil).
A mixture of 1/2 of vegetable fat and 1/2 a seed will be appreciated. After melting the vegetable fat, we mix the seeds. Place them in a container and wait for it to cool before installing it. Among other things, we can place this in a half coconut shell, which can be suspended.
At the end of winter, reduce the quantities, so that the birds supplement by going themselves what they need.
The presence of an animal
If an animal is around, there’s a reason.
A Propitious Place
Animals have natural needs (food, habitat, reproduction, etc.)
If an animal is present around, it means that the place may be conducive to its development.
Inquire with an animal protection association or by your own means, allows you to know your way of life and therefore the needs of a animal.
Thus, we can avoid cutting grass in places, leaving rotten fruits on the ground, leaving a few berries on a shrub, planting plants appreciated by insects, placing the habitat close to a source of food... So many possibilities depending on the species.
Environmental pressure
The presence of an animal may be due to environmental pressure, its natural habitat having been destroyed, degraded... In this case, several things are possible:
- restorative management by studying the surrounding ecosystem and animal needs;
- conservation by protecting threatened areas;
- free evolution consists in leaving a space to nature and letting it do its thing...
Here is a video on the subject of conservation / restorative management.
In the case of environmental pressure, contact an animal protection association to find out how to react.