Hi Hanny 44
Welcome to the Forum!
The thing to remember is that the hogs will have been looking after themselves before they found you and as a species have been giving birth for millions of years. So they can pretty much look after themselves, but would probably welcome supplementary food being offered as well as water available (all day every day) as well as some suitble places to nest (which you have, under your decking – probably plenty of room under there for a few of them). Water is as important, if not more so than food as they can’t always find it in the ‘wild’. (wide but shallow plant saucers are ideal for that). But don’t put the food too near where the nest is – it could attract predators.
But if you find a young one (or any hog) out in the open at any time (especially if it looks as if it’s sunbathing or just sitting there) it might need help (if it’s i.e. sleeping under a hedge or bush, etc. that is probably ok – that’s where they would normally sleep in the wild). You can get details of your nearest carers by ringing 01584 890801. (Number also at bottom left of this page). You can always ring them and take their advice.
But if a hog is moving purposefully and collecting nesting materials, which it sounds as if that one was it sounds quite likely that she was building a nest and could indeed have produced by now. If so, lucky you! You could potentially see that wonderfull sight of a little train of hoglets following Mother hog! Let us know if any hoglets appear – always lovely to hear about them.
Good luck and happy hog watching!
