Hi daffydill
I can’t quite picture what you mean by the smaller ones you mentioned. But, it sounds as if they might be a bit too small. But just bear in mind that if they are too small cats can reach in with their paws and pull the feeding bowl to the entrance as well as the whole thing potentially being easy to tip right over. Also, I have heard of a hog settling down for a nap in a doorway trapping another hog inside. So I would be a bit worried, if it was very small that the air might run out – so you might want to put some ventilation holes in somewhere. Also, you wouldn’t want a hog to get trapped in there, even on it’s own. I can envisage a larger hog being tempted by the food and getting stuck – but I might be imagining the shape and size incorrectly.
But, yes, you’re right, it would be best to site a plastic box in the shade, so it doesn’t get too hot. Lots of people do use plastic ones and they do have the advantage of being able to see through them, but my preference are wooden ones, really, but I know that isn’t always practical. Some of the hogs here don’t like going into boxes at all – hence my use of a fairly large perspex type sheet balanced on flower pots – plenty of escape routes and suitably airy, so they are happy with that! Also easy to move during the day in a small garden and tuck it out of the way.
