Hi Chico_W
Females with young in the nest will sometimes come out during the day (could be any time of day, especially if it’s hot), and if it was moving purposefully, hopefully will be ok. Not how sure you are that the hog with the young one was the same one, but if not, she may have some even younger ones somewhere in a nest. But also occasionally hogs will be disturbed from the place they have chosen to spend the day, so could be moving to another location. If a hog was looking sluggish or lying in the open I would be concerned.
But also an injured hog may turn up during the day to the place where it has found food. That has happened here a couple of times. Almost as if the hogs knew that was the place to find help. Then, if the injury isn’t obvious, it is almost instinct knowing something is wrong (i.e. that maybe there is something odd about the way the hog is moving/behaving). If you are ever concerned that a hog is sick or injured, put it in a high sided box or pet carrier with torn up strips of newspaper or a small towel to burrow in and provide food and water then ring 01584 890801 for advice or for contact details of your nearest hog carer and take their advice. You can give them more details than is possible here.
I’m not sure whether you know that mealworms are not good for hogs. They have an imbalance of phosphorous and calcium which leads to calcium being leached from the bones. They are especially dangerous for hoglets who can grow in a deformed manner as a result. Although I realise you may have offered a few, just for that occasion and don’t normally offer them to hogs – hopefully that was the case. But, it’s best to stick to cat/dog/hog food for hogs.
It’s great that you provide water – it’s possible she may have wanted some of that and been distracted by your presence.
Fingers crossed they are all ok.
Good luck and happy hog watching.
