Hi MassaAC
It sounds as if you’ve gone to a lot of trouble for the hogs. It might take them a little while to get used to a new box, so don’t worry if they don’t use them immediately. I have also found, over the years, that there are some hogs who just don’t like going into boxes, so I have a perspex type sheet propped up on four 3L earth filled pots with bricks on top. They seem to consider that is outside enough for them and it also seems as good as the boxes at deterring the cats. I also have feeding boxes, but the outdoor option seems to be the favourite. This arrangement is on paving, so that the area can be easily kept clean.
The others are right – no need to cover up the water. They do like rain water but there seems to be some debate as to which is better – rain water or tap water. (some worry about potential ‘bugs’ from water butts and others worry about chemicals in tap water). I think it is better to put out what you have than not put out any water at all. I also leave water dotted around the garden. I use plant saucers – shallow, but the larger widthwise the better – hogs often just walk straight through water bowls/saucers/etc. and are very good at tipping water over if the container isn’t wide enough!
Re. the brick falling – it’s hard to say with hogs, they don’t always do what we expect them to do(!) but may not worry too much about it (even if it was one of them that knocked it over). The males often biff each other around fairly roughly, so could have knocked it over, but hopefully their spines would have helped to protect them. Fingers crossed.
Hope the hog comes back soon – and hopefully some others, too.
Good luck and happy hog watching.
