Hi hogdevotee
I am curious about the large protruberance that the hedgehog had that was confused with a pregnant female. Did the local rescue actually see the hog?
You are right the hogs may be hibernating later in Cornwall than in some places, but it isn’t always only to do with the temperature and some, if not all, hogs there may be hibernating already.
Theoretically the hogs should build hibernation nests inside your hog houses, which should be insulated to their satisfaction. That’s one of the reasons why it’s best to leave nesting material outside the box and let the hog build it’s own nest. They are much better at it than we would be. But it probably wouldn’t harm to put extra insulation around the house outside, as long as you don’t disturb any hogs in the process. It’s probably best to do it before they move in.
There are all sorts of things which people claim that hedgehogs like. Not all of them are good for them. I would give vegetables and fruit a miss and stick to cat/dog/hog food. There used to be a myth that hogs liked apples, but it’s now realised that they are most likely to be attracted to the insects which fallen apples may attract.
Good luck with the hogs there. I hope hibernation works out well for them.
