How many and how long...

[Steph]

Ok, I've seen this argument a lot lately and I just want opinions on it.

How many hedgies is too many??

For breeding purposes, rescue purposes, etc...??

Can one person truly care for 30 or more hedgies, or for that matter 20 or more??

Can they truly give the attention they need that way??

If so how many hours a day does it truly take??

[lil22]

It all depends on how much time one is willing and able to devote to their hedgies. I personally thing 30 is too much, but that's just my opinion...I personally wouldn't want more than 15 or so...at this point, anyway, because that's the amount that I personally feel I can safely handle and give consistant attention to. That said, I think it's a very person by person subject. I am also single, but if I were married, maybe 20...or even 30 hedgies wouldn't sound so un-doable (that is if he loved hedgies as much as I do!)

[illinidairychic]

I have 13 right now, but I also live with my fiance and he helps me out with them. Three of my herd are rescue/ rehomes that are just pets and will remain pets for the rest of their lives. I don't think I will grow much more in herd size until after we move to our own house, right now we are in an apartment and I can only grow as much as I have room for them.

[Super_Girl456]

Ok, I've seen this argument a lot lately and I just want opinions on it.

How many hedgies is too many??
I think for one person over 15 is to much. But If you have someone helping you I think 25 would be the most. Now if there are a stay/home place for hedgies, I think that more would be ok. But only if more then 2 people worked there.
For breeding purposes, rescue purposes, etc...??
I don't have any breeding hedgies, But I do have Rescues and I only have 3. I live with my mom and dad and in a small room. My 3 live in big tote boxes where they have room to do whatever. I do take them out as much as I can to give them time with me. I take them each out one at a time for an hour or less. But Sometimes it's hard to keep up with just doing that. At times I'm so busy I will take them out and lay in bed with Nuka and Zoey. They will stay in one place but Honey will try to run off.

Can one person truly care for 30 or more hedgies, or for that matter 20 or more??
I don't think ONE person can take care of that many. I think 4 people could though.
Can they truly give the attention they need that way??
No, I doubt they could keep up the names.... If there were more help maybe.
If so how many hours a day does it truly take??

I would think a lot of hours..... Think about bath days...

[illinidairychic]

I know with bath days I couldn't manage if I didn't have the help of my fiancee. There is just too much to get done all at once. I have him clean cages while I bath, clip nails and dry.

[kaiteedyd]

Personally I'll never go above 9 or 10 full time hedgie residents.

[Nancy]

I think it totally depends on a persons circumstances. One person who works full time or goes to school I don't think could adequately care for more than 7 or 8 and maybe not even that many.

Someone who is at home all the time and can spend hours a day I think could care for 30 or maybe more.

My daughter and I own 22 between us. She works full time and I work from home. We do all right although when she works in the evenings they all don't get as much attention as I would like. I personally would not want 22 on my own. 15 would be a good amount if it were just me.

[Ododad]

It all depends on how much time one is willing and able to devote to their hedgies. That said, I think it's a very person by person subject.

(Above quotes taken out of context)
I think that's it in a nutshell. Personally I have four rescues. I have the room for three more in an emergency situation should one arise but four is the most that I can have and still give the individual time and attention that I insist each hog recieve every day. Each hog, under ideal circumstances, is treated to two to three hours of freedom time each night. This includes cuddle time, play with time, and time left alone to their own devices. I have divided my house into three play areas which are completely hedgie-proofed and enclosed. Odo has her own area, Marco has his and since Frodo and Ruby get along so well they have one to share. In addition to this I am always up and down all night (I don't sleep very well) and am checking on them constantly. I do a poop check at least three times each night and have been known to wash wheels three times in one night. During the daytime I check on them all at least four times a day but usually don't disturb them at this time. Just make sure the room is the correct tempature, all poop has been removed and that there is water and food available. So for me four permanent hedgies is the limit.

[Jennslilhedgies]

I have 20 hedgehogs right now, and will probably continue to keep 20 - 25 for my herd, not including the little guys and gals going to new homes. Someone could easily walk into my hedgie room (yes they have their own room) and pick out any hedgie.... show him or her to me... and I could tell you their name. I know all of my hedgies and spend lots of time playing with them. I do work from 8-5 Monday through Friday. I check on every hedgie at lunch time, and when I get home, at some point in the evening I pick up on average 7-10 hedgies and pet them and let them run arround for a while. I do have a boyfriend that helps with cleaning. But most of the attention comes from me. So to answer the age old question.. how many is too many... I think it just depends on how much time the person is willing to put into playing with the little critters. Every person is different.

[Hedgiepets]

I have one comment about having a lot of hedgies, being able to care for them and all the babies before they go home, including housing for separate sexes or individuals.

You should have a cage for every baby that is in the house also. I had a situation recently, Momma with six, 5 week old babies and all 7 got sick. I had to house each one individually so that I could monitor eating, drinking and pooping on liners. You never know when something is going to happen. Or the person(s) buying babies back out at last minute.

So as a breeder be prepared to house a lot of hedgies, individually.