Whelping Box Ideas

[blake]

Would like to hear some ideas on a homemade whelping box thats reliable and easy to clean

[OGDOGG]

This is how I do it. Easy access, easy to clean, and easy to transport from inside to outside for some sunlight.
http://i.imgur.com/0uYeY.jpg

[blake]

Great idea I'd be worried the plasti. Would hurt their feet

[CRISIS]

http://www.houseofhum.com/stephen/whelping_box/IMG_3892.JPG

http://www.snowboundbullies.com/uploads/images/whelping_box.jpg

notice the shelving...... very important to prevent pups from beig layed on....

[OGDOGG]

Plastic is fine. They're only in there for the first 4-5 weeks. So first 3 weeks they're crawling, last two they'll try to climb out. So far that pool been used 3x. If it break, it's only a few bucks to get a new one.

[No Quarter Kennel]

The "shelf" idea has been on my mind for a while
Have you ever noticed if you leave them to themselves, they typically WON'T lay on pups?
It's usually when they are in a square, flat bottom, little nesting material, boxes when they lay on one.
I've had litters and pyled in the straw. Deep. They mother would dig out the middle and the pups would all center to the bottom of the nest when she was gone. As early as 1 week old, if she's in the nest, they would travel up to the edges, above her.

Personally, Im with OGDOGG, I think the swim pool is about as good as it gets. And personally, I think anything with a flat bottom with no material for mom to make a nest is the worst.

Thoughts?

[No Quarter Kennel]

The "shelf" idea has been on my mind for a while
Have you ever noticed if you leave them to themselves, they typically WON'T lay on pups?
It's usually when they are in a square, flat bottom, little nesting material, boxes when they lay on one.
I've had litters and pyled in the straw. Deep. They mother would dig out the middle and the pups would all center to the bottom of the nest when she was gone. As early as 1 week old, if she's in the nest, they would travel up to the edges, above her.

Personally, Im with OGDOGG, I think the swim pool is about as good as it gets. And personally, I think anything with a flat bottom with no material for mom to make a nest is the worst.

Thoughts?

[TopShelfKennels]

I use a 4x4 box with the bumpers on the side, I also use a heat light and small heater in the winter. The pic is a litter I had last January and I live in New England. So it holds up to all types of weather.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/purepit19/029.jpg

[scary]

@topshelf about ho far up do you hang the bumpers?

[No Quarter Kennel]

The picture provided is a great whelping box. Kudos on the box.
However, it supports my idea that the bumper may be a complete waste.
As much bedding is there, the bumpers are no longer bumpers, but are merely the wall now. The straw, bedding, builds up and there is not space for the pup to be.

I would accept the bumper as a good idea if there is no bedding at all, but if there is some, which we almost always have, then the bumper to me is a complete waste.

Not being critical, just conversating.

[CRISIS]

need it or not, id rather be safe then sorry and ive always been brought up to use the bumpers..........

[scary]

anybody? about how far up do you hang the bumpers?

[Eliman]

I could see the thought of the bumpers being a waste with bedding but i assure you it is not i use 2 inch PVC pipe mounted with PVC straps in my whelping box

Also i bulit in a double pane plexy glass viewing window to be able to check on the gyp and pups without disturbing them box is insulated with bulit in heat lamp and fan both controlled by dimmer switches just some food for thought

RoughNeck

[scary]

I could see the thought of the bumpers being a waste with bedding but i assure you it is not i use 2 inch PVC pipe mounted with PVC straps in my whelping box

Also i bulit in a double pane plexy glass viewing window to be able to check on the gyp and pups without disturbing them box is insulated with bulit in heat lamp and fan both controlled by dimmer switches just some food for thought

RoughNeck could you post some pictures???

[TopShelfKennels]

The bumpers in my pic are 5 inches from the floor and in no way are they a waste of time. Especially if done properly, bedding shouldnt be packed in like crazy, only need enough to keep the dog /pups comfortable and dry.

[Eliman]

http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/pictures/454512.jpg
http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/pictures/451328.jpg
http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/pictures/454510.jpg

[thefoodchain]

Eliman I'm really feeling and digging your brood/whelping box design and construction. If at all possible for you to send us your plans for this it will be greatly appreciated by the community. Again big ups.
Dax

[Officially Retired]

I use a 4x4 box with the bumpers on the side, I also use a heat light and small heater in the winter. The pic is a litter I had last January and I live in New England. So it holds up to all types of weather.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g147/purepit19/029.jpg


Nice plan on the whole :)

Three things worry me though:


1) It is very big, so some pups could straggle-off and get cold {although I see the heater, not sure how far it effects in cold weather if the pups straggles-off to a far corner};
2) It looks like the mama can jump out of there; and
3) The mama could bite and get electrocuted by the heater in the corner if she was a wild one.

Not criticism, just some thoughts. Also, if the dimensions were a little smaller (and if there was a top), the mama's body heat would warm the pups with no electrical heaters necessary.

That said, having a light source does help the mama do her job.

Jack

[Eliman]

Eliman I'm really feeling and digging your brood/whelping box design and construction. If at all possible for you to send us your plans for this it will be greatly appreciated by the community. Again big ups.
Dax

Thank you for the compliments, i will draw up the plans and post them it may take me some time to catalog the specs for that box. It will not be a easy build but it is worth it in my eyes i will post it soon as possible.

RoughNeck

[No Quarter Kennel]

What do you guys think is plenty big, but not too big?
I've been thinking 3x3 or maybe 3x4
I've seen 2x2 and 2x3 boxes work, but they are a bit small for my taste.

Let's hear it.....for a typical 40-50lb bitch - what would be a typical size whelping box?