New to the hog!!

[ChuffNutz]

Hi everyone, hope you’re all well with Christmas fast approaching.
Just have a couple of questions if anyone can help. Moved into my house which borders a woodland area a few years ago. On and off I’d spotted a hedgehog when I got up early for work 3-4am on my back lawn so a couple months ago I put a hedgehog house behind a little shed at the end of the garden. Didn’t think much of it but a few days ago I got a wildlife trail cam and now I realise I have at least 2 hogs visiting the garden and one is collecting leaves for the hoghouse!!
I’ve also setup a feeding station in a plastic container which they use regularly.
They’ve literally been using it from 6pm till 6am. I’ve also made a route out of the back garden to the woodlands as it was always fenced off before.
They are big hedgehogs but are they still ok being out this late in the year and is it ok for me to keep feeding them. Don’t want to interrupt their hibernation by offering food all the time if that makes sense.
Apologies for the wall of text.
Phil

[Nic]

Hi Phil

Some hogs choose not to hibernate. I still have one here. She didn’t hibernate last year either, although she was a hoglet then, but heavy enough. I wold keep leaving food out as long as there are any hogs about. Water should be left out all day every day even through the winter, whether you know hogs are around or not, in case a hog comes out of hibernation and is thirsty. In many places, they may not be able to find water otherwise, whereas there may be a small amount of natural food around and their fat reserves should help them to tick over for a short while – until you notice they are there and offer some food.

The hogs might still hibernate, yet. Some hibernate surprisingly late in the year.

Good luck with them.

[ChuffNutz]

Hi Nic

Thanks for replying. One has definitely took up residence in the hog house so I’m happy with that. He/she is still coming to the feeding station in the evening and is still active throughout the night. It’s still really mild here in Norfolk. I’ll keep leaving food and water out for them. Lovely to see them roam around in the garden.

Phil

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