Whelping Box Ideas??

[spurs73]

Oh yeah.........I like to keep my floor clean for the first few weeks. I shop vac out my box every other day to keep it clean. Some people will tell you the same thing not to put hay or shavings in there.

[PLATEAUBEAGLER]

Good point if the power goes out. That's what i was thinking about doing with my pad between plywood. by the way nice looking pups there.

[BuschBound]

I have a friend who let me barrow a whelping box for my litter here at home and I will tell you this guy did his homework... I first built a kennel inside my garage so down the line I can take it out with ease. There is just a few screws holding it together. took me about an hour to build the run out side. Very easy and inexpensive. With the cold weather we've been having this is the only way to go.

Here is the kennel I built in the garage. Along side it is the box I got from my friend. I put a thermometer inside along with a light to regulate the box temp..
Here is the pups on the Whelping Nest by Scott's It holds a temp around 80-90 degrees
This is a pic of the camera I have mounted inside the box. This acually helped save a pup that was born outside. Thank god I was watching from inside. I heard her howl and went out and she had delivered the first one.

This is a pic of the monitor inside my house. I keep it running all the time. Nice to see them grow day by day..


When she started having her pups the temps were -10 degrees. I shop vac the box out every day and disinfect the pan and wood inside the box about 3 times a week. She seems to be doing a great job with this litter and I'm sure these pups will all be Field Champions... At least the one I pick. Dave

[spurs73]

Wow.....a camera!! I like the looks of that pan in there.......great idea!! Thanks for sharing.

[PLATEAUBEAGLER]

never seen one of those pans, wonder how he came about getting 1 of those or did he make it.
whats a good height to build the box.

[BuschBound]

never seen one of those pans, wonder how he came about getting 1 of those or did he make it.
whats a good height to build the box.

I know you can go here to find one but I have seen them on Ebay for alot cheaper. The camera was also purchased on Ebay for about $40.00. Here is the link.
http://www.alwaysonsalepetsupplies.com/ ... asp?3=1703

[PLATEAUBEAGLER]

Good deal. I will give it a look see. Thanks

[spurs73]

I built mine 3 foot high off the ground.

[PLATEAUBEAGLER]

Ok. But the inside of the dog box. How tall is it? Thanks for all the info spur.

[BuschBound]

Ok. But the inside of the dog box. How tall is it? Thanks for all the info spur.

The Whelping box I am using is 26 inches wide by 3 feet 6 inches long and an inside height of 24 inches. This gives the bitch plenty of room to get away from pups if she needs too. I think it a little excessive on the height. There is alot of heat loss I believe when it come to height. My normal sleeping boxes on my kennels are only 15". and just the heat from the dogs body temp keeps these small boxes nice and warm. I think the perfect Whelping box would be 26w x 42L x 20h. I have her water and food right inside the box with her. With the heat of the light and the pan the temp stays just right. No chance freezing water.

If you build one Plateaubeagler we'd love to see it. The only think I'd like to have on this box is the hog rails. but there is so much room in this box for the bitch to lay down and the newborn pups stay right inside the pan (they are too small to find there way outside of the pan for the first week or so. My pups are just two weeks old today and they are just now all starting to venture off the pan. I dont see why or how she would lay on the pups. But im sure it could happen.

[PLATEAUBEAGLER]

Dave I am giong to build one for sure just don't know if it will be above ground casue I have a concrete pad. But I will post pics when I get it done for sure. Thanks for the info. It don't look like its going to get over the mid 30's and in the teens at night for a while so I am gonna have to get to building pretty quick. Just finished my 3ac starting pen so I can get started on the box now.

[spurs73]

My box and pen is 24 inches tall.

[PLATEAUBEAGLER]

i think 24" ht is what i need, she is a full 14 1/2" female although i may loose the heat i think the height will be better for her. I figure i will use a 100 watt bulb just don't know whether to use a heat bulb or regular bulb?????

Thanks for all the info guy's this is a lot of help and keep the ideas coming, i may get my plywood tomorrow.

[spurs73]

I bought one on those small square electric heaters at Walmart and mounted it to the side of the whelping box. It has a thermostat on it and kept the box around 80 to 90 degrees on those cold nights. But Mississippi cold nights may not be like other people's cold nights up north.

[PLATEAUBEAGLER]

I have thought of using the heaters also. i have 2 of them from Wal-Mart that i use in my shop.I say that keep them warm.