whelping pen question

[south mtn beagles]

I have this pen that I have set up for a whelping pen and I have a ceramic heater mounted on the side to help heat but the floor is still to cold for pups at this temp,Do ya'll folks have any pointers on how I can safely heat the floor so I'll keep my new pups warm!!This heater will keep the air 20-30 degree's higher than it is outside but we have seen single digit temps and that is still to cold.

[cpuckett]

they make a welping pad for puppies,the one is use is hard plastic and flat you just plug it up and it get's warm but not hot so that it will not burn them,you can get them at feeders supply,might not be a problem in the winter ,but in the spring you want your welping box bigger then the pad so that if they get to warm they can get off of it,they make some with temperature controls.

[OleMoodyBlues]

Hello,
In my opinion, most built Whelping Box are way too small.
A Bitch needs/could use more room, then one would think:
a. space she finds confortable for given birth (most circle before, between births)
b. space she uses for piling pups while having additional pups (It's during this time, most pups are laid upon)
c. space not in the door's draft area or blowing rain (A Chilled/wet pup will DIE!!!)
c. space/room for the pups/growing pups to play during inclement weather, as she rest.

Don't get me wrong, a Bitch will use and make any box work. Exisiting boxes have raised many pups.
However, if you are about to build another or new one, why not improve the situation.
That Dream crosses is too valuable to not set yourself up for better success of a full litter.

I've noticed some great examples of whelping Boxes on this site.

Great Job,

Ole Moody Blues Kennels

[TC]

I have this pen that I have set up for a whelping pen and I have a ceramic heater mounted on the side to help heat but the floor is still to cold for pups at this temp,Do ya'll folks have any pointers on how I can safely heat the floor so I'll keep my new pups warm!!This heater will keep the air 20-30 degree's higher than it is outside but we have seen single digit temps and that is still to cold.

When it gets to cold outside I built a box frame open top and bottom, lay down plastic liner then lay down a dog rug/pad found at Sams club or Costco, it is fleece on one side and other side is like a heavy duty sheet, then I set the box frame on top of that. I lay a heat pad in one corner of the box frame under the plastic with the cord coming out under the box frame corner. This works really good in frigid temps. Tiny pups aren't gonna mess up your house and if you cut the box frame high enough they won't be able to get out of it till they are about 5 weeks old and that is with a lot of determination. My females were real good about going outside to go to do their business and right back in to make sure no one was messing with their pups, but at this time I took the opportunity to change the pad and check the pups and usually the mom isn't the wiser... Also helps with socialization of the little guys.

Here is a really good thread

http://americanbeagler.huntingboards.co ... 14&t=51425

[2500 HD]

If you can put foam insulation under your whelping box. It will break the cold and retain the heat.

[Donnie]

build a false bottom in it get a water bed heater put it in the bottom.will keep in nice and warm there usually around 30.00 bucks will work for years

[Pulpwood725]

you can buy electric whelping pads. They come in different sizes. You plug them in and they get warm. I had on for many years. They work great.

[south mtn beagles]

Where can I find a whelping pad??? I have looked online and they are few and far between!!

[PrideHillKennel]

Ronnie Eye here in Wv at our club builds heat lamps built on a thromostat. You can just set the temp and you are GTG. Most any electricain should be able to build one. I think he told me once that he has 35-50 dollars in it. Maybe less. Plug it in and Run the cord out the top of the box under the lid. We also insulate our boxes. Brock

[south mtn beagles]

I found one online just a bit ago,It and the control costed about 100.00 so I'm hoping it will make a differance in the pups making it!!

[rabbitsmoker]

I staple heat tape to the bottom of my box it wors great not exspensive and easy to do

[Shotgun John]

http://search.store.yahoo.net/gundog/cg ... ubmit.y=10

Ordered mine last monday and had it by Friday.

[hogbody]

http://www.petedge.com/product/Health/B ... /43885.uts

This what I got. Worked well for me.