Hedgehog visit and sudden rooster death - is there a connection?

[A Swede in France]

Hi!

Since about a week ago, a hedgehog has taken up residence in our yard. S/he is behaving a bit unusually in that they're frequently out during the day and now unafraid of me, but they don't seem disoriented, in pain or obviously unwell. But, two days ago my rooster suddenly fell sick and died, one of those progressions that went from fully healthy to dead in 12 hours. No signs of illness beyond lethargy and loss of appetite in the evening before dying while sleeping at night.

So now I'm afraid! Could Goldie the rooster have picked up something lethal from the hog? The latter will frequently pass by the chicken run and my chickens free range so plenty of opportunities to encounter poop or drinking from the same puddle. I'm writing this sitting less than a metre from the hog, right next to the door of our run.

I've tried to Google but found nothing authoritative beyond that hedgehog's can carry salmonella.

What do you think? Any knowledge or experience of hedgehogs?

I'll add that I live in France where hedgehogs are native. Their number is in steep decline so at first I was very happy to see the little guy.

 

[SmiYa0126]

The only thing I know about hedgehogs is that they carry salmonella. If your rooster was healthy I don't think exposure to salmonella would kill him. Chickens eat dirt which has botulism. Maybe if his immune system was compromised? But I'm not sure.

 

[A Swede in France]

The only thing I know about hedgehogs is that they carry salmonella. If your rooster was healthy I don't think exposure to salmonella would kill him. Chickens eat dirt which has botulism. Maybe if his immune system was compromised? But I'm not sure.

Thanks! Yes I read this and came to the same conclusion. Fingers crossed this can be a happy coexistence because the little spiky guy is still around.

 

[A Swede in France]

 

[SmiYa0126]

So cute! I haven't seen a hedgehog since I was a little kid. Here in US Pennsylvania they're actually banned .

 

[A Swede in France]

So cute! I haven't seen a hedgehog since I was a little kid. Here in US Pennsylvania they're actually banned .

Yes I was so happy to see her because here they really are in decline even though they should be a common and welcome member of the local ecosystem!