Would like to hear some ideas on a homemade whelping box thats reliable and easy to clean
Would like to hear some ideas on a homemade whelping box thats reliable and easy to clean
This is how I do it. Easy access, easy to clean, and easy to transport from inside to outside for some sunlight.
Great idea I'd be worried the plasti. Would hurt their feet
http://www.houseofhum.com/stephen/wh...x/IMG_3892.JPG
http://www.snowboundbullies.com/uplo...elping_box.jpg
notice the shelving...... very important to prevent pups from beig layed on....
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.
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?
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?
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.
Originally Posted by 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.
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
@topshelf about ho far up do you hang the bumpers?
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