just stop when they stop taking it as I do believe they will only semi hibernate when it gets very cold .

dog food is the better choice for your hedge hogs if you don't mind me saying .

There are several rescue centres under the name of Hogspital - you can find them on line- and they would be happy to tell you anything you need to know as they are very dedicated to the little pricklies! (Our local lady "bottle" fed tiny babies through the night)

its to do with weight not age

yes they have to be above a weight to have a better chance of servivng .

don't have to stop feeding them...

just make sure for the winter you have piles of hay and secure it with a few sticks on the outside. For the entrance put some logs and ta-da a resting place for hedgehogs is created.

Only three British mammals go into true hibernatiion - it is a defence against foodshortages. So as long as the weather is reasonable you can feed but as we don't know when cold weather will suddenly come it might be best to let them hibernate through Dec to Feb at least. if you see the food is not being taken you will have your answer.
When in full hibernation they can survive their body temperature falling to as low as 1 degree C, but any colder will kill them. When it gets really cold they can begin to regulate their temperature by using their brown fat to raise it above danger level but this is when they are hibernating.

Thanks for educating us all Stera. I leave out 'hedgehog food' from Wilkos. Do you think it is any better than dog food(dried)?

Thank you all for your helpful comments. I shall follow all suggestions and hope that all three get together in the future and form a nice family.
They keep well hidden and I would like to know if it is OK to delve gently into their dens to have a better look at them.
One is definitely under a shed and I saw movement when I was trying to drag out fallen leaves.We soon pushed them back and added more bedding.
One is in a corner,under bedding we prepared and covered with a sheet of corrugated metal,with a tunnel into it.
(To keep Dax,the yorky away).That one we placed in whenwe first found him on the road.
We made a nice room with plenty of bedding for our third one,under some steps,and built a wall in front to his home with a small opening,again to keep Dax out.
I leave their late night dinner at each opening but I really do not know if they each stay in the homes we made for them or if they have 'stayovers' with the others,or perhaps have moved elsewhere.

I was thinking that in the daytime I could check up and find out.
If they were placed all together,would they perhaps fight ?

dog food is just as good its just now companies are jumping on the band wagon to make money out of people on special hedge hog food . hedgehogs are not pack animals so unless there an actuel family ie mum and kids then they will tend to do there own thing unless theres a food glut like your dog food wear they will come together as they arnt aggressive towards each other especially . id get one of these inf red cameras that have motion sensers and put them near your food etc . you will have a great insite into there lives and habits . perhaps an xmas prezzy hint hint .

Sorry Merlinbabydog, I was only trying to be helpful I thought it was interesting. I will take the hint.

Stera, I'm so sorry that you thought I was 'hinting' at something from your reply to Justvera's question. I wasn't being sarcastic when I thanked you for educating us - I meant it!!!
Also, wondering whether Wilko's hedgehog food is a bit of a rip off. I suspect that they are taking advantage of the increased interest in helping wildlife, as Nosey has suggested. I have now gone back to leaving dried dog food for local hedgehogs.
So I apologise to you because my answer was obviously ambiguous and honestly, there wasn't a hidden meaning. I wouldn't dream of being nasty towards anyone on this, my favourite website. I check in most days and have great respect for the people I've listened to over the years, and you are one of them.

Bless you Merlinbabydog, that's such a relief!

that was nice for a nice person . it is robbery , supply and demand that's all experts with great advertising talking bu%$£*it . I got 4 big dogs and people say they must cost a forune to keep . I don't think they believe me when I say £5 a week but its true . I get the cheapest complete dog food called macs from jollies and fill a washing up bowl every time it empties . they don't love it but they stay a great weight and are cheap . I don't de flea them unless they get fleas or worm them unless they seam to have worms which is once in the last 3 years nearly . I also only give them there first 2 jabs which is very important and know others . im not suggesting you do this but ive done it for 30 years including taking a dog with parvo virous down the vets . I didn't even get puppy food when my bitch sausage had her pups including my 2 boys . I thought what does a mother wolf do . not puppy food she just chews it up for them . I just soaked the adult food and there all good . its not just woman getting robbed having services on there cars . its every wear .

Thought for a minute there you were going to say you chewed up the meat for the puppies...

lol I would if I hat to x

I can totally believe that! :))