Hi Gr8mums
I agree with Stef – you probably won’t be able to stop it from happening. Hogs are naturally solitary animals, and whilst they don’t have territories, as such, some will just have a go at any other one that comes into his personal space. It isn’t necessarily about food or hog houses, it’s just that they are more likely to meet other hogs at those places. I remember when I first saw one rolling another up and was worried for the poor chap who was then repeatedly butted even though he was already rolled up. But actually they are fairly cushioned by their spines and eventually unroll and carry on as normal.
Re. the feeding out of doors – some hogs just don’t like going into boxes and prefer to eat outdoors, but I have found that a perspex type sheet on top of soil filled flower pots, seems to be acceptable even to those who don’t like boxes. High enough for hogs but low enough to make it uncomfortable for cats. I have found this works better as a cat deterrant than any boxes with corridors, small doors, etc. You could use a sheet of wood, but nice if it’s see through – for us – don’t think the hogs mind! It also has the benefit of having plenty of escape routes, and no doorways for two hogs to want to get through at once! Also easy to put out of the way during daytime and probably cheaper than a new box.
