The American Beagler Forum

We have a litter of pups due here soon, and I know not to use cedar or pine chips, but was considering shredded newspaper. I've also heard not to use any bedding at all. Got any ideas Fella's? Or Ladies? I've already finished the pig rail. Thanks for the input! Bill & Sharon Ennis.

No bedding at all is best IMO. Much easier for the mom to keep cleaned up.

I just whelped my forth litter since June 1,07 and have put full sheets of news paper in dog house, just spreed them over the entire floor 1 or 2 days before she is due. The female will start shreeding it with her feet and mouth, which I call this the nesting instinct. I been fortunate to be there a short while after birth, or in a few hours or asap clean all paper out and put nothing in there. During the hot days when there 2 days old when it is real hot I put a frozen 1 gallon jug of water in there and this regulates there temp. they will move against when hot and away when cool. It works perfect.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll see if I can manage to post some pictures of the whelping kennel tomorrow.

The inside dimensions are 47"X26 1/2"

Here you go Beagleman63

Thats a real nice setup!! I would use some sort of bedding since its hard for puppies to get good footing on that slick surface. Paper is ok but, hard to clean out. What we do is buy "doormats" at wal-mart. They are 3.00 each or smaller ones for 2.50 They have ridges and are nearly impossible for the mamma do dig up. They provide some warmth and the puppies can get traction. I use old towels during the actual whelping and once everything is all done I use the rugs for a few weeks. They stay pretty clean so, you'd maybe only need to replace it once a week. You can buy it in a roll too that you can cut to size.

If you need a picture let me know.

Leah

Thanks Gene, I still can't figure out how to post pictures! Thanks Leah. I do think I'll try those mats like you suggested. 12 more days and counting! We're excited!

I use 4 pieces of carpet and I lay them one on top of other.. After she has had all the pups I take one out so it is clean then 1 a week till it's gone plus it helps keep pups warm .. never lost one yet since I done this...

I have a Seneca whelping kennel. I placed a rubber bath mat (the kind with suction cups on the bottom) and then placed newspaper on top. The pups can get real good traction on the bath mat. I had two bath mats and would alternate them in the box. My wife and I could clean the entire box in a minute or so. We had a real nice system. I had a rack out of an old refrigerator that I would slide between the box and the kennel to keep momma out. Then we would place the pups in a cardboard box. I then could quickly grab all the newspaper and throw it in a garbage can and would remove dirty bath mat. I would take paper towels to wipe up any liquid up. I then had a solution of water and clorox in a spray bottle. I would spray the inside of the box lightly and wipe dry with paper towels. I then would put the clean bath mat back in with fresh newspaper and replace pups. My wife and I had a real nice sytem and could do it quickly.

I'm new to whelping beagles, please explain what the PVC pipe is for? I am getting ready to breed and I need to learn all that I can. Thanks, Danny

I am new to whelping beagles, but I am getting ready to breed one of my girls so I need to learn all that I can. What is yhe PVC pipe for? Any advice that you guys and gils can give me would be deeply appreciated. Thanks, Danny

the pVC is called a pig rail that runs around the base to keep the mama from smashing or sitting on the pups when they are against the side

Thanks Franco for explaining about the pig rail! How tall do you make the pig rail? It looks like it's about 3" tall.