Size of whelping box - Page 2

Mine is 4' X 4', used it for years (need a new one) and it's suited for large, small and average litters no problem.  Any bigger and it would A) be difficult to move around, get in and out doors etc and B) take up the entire "whelping room" so the female can't get outside of it to take a break from the puppies, and C) much bigger and you do run the risk of having puppies separated too far, picked up by worried moms (chance of injury if she does so) and puppies getting cold separated for too long.  The 4' X 4' IMO is the exact perfect size, my next whelp box will be the same.

molly

We had a 4x4 whelping box for years and it worked fine.  Our new whelping box, that has so far been used for 2 litters, is 5x5 and I do like that size much better.  More room to move around it, especially for the dam to be able to stretch out.  I think we'll stick with 5x5 in the future if/when we have to make another new one.

We have two 4x4 whelping boxes made of wood.   Depending upon litter size, we use one or both.  Each whelping box has one removable side (panel slides up to remove) so we just place them together (open end to open end) to make  a 4x8 with large litters (10 or more) are around 2 to 3 weeks of age. 

Karla

Kiddie pools are not a proper place for litters to be whelped...open to disaster from outside hands, people and dogs and anything that moves..too cramped and squashed pups can result.. My working line dogs would pick the pool up and carry it off somewhere.  You cant use lights or proper imprint of pups in a pool...

IMO very dangerous. for  Mom and pups. Not environmentally proper

I tried a kiddie pool for one small litter, once - didn't work well at all.  Blankets/bedding would slip around and puppies would end up on the cold, slippery plastic - sides were too low and flimsy, mom would lay down and squish the side right down - anyway I tried it and it didn't work for me at all.

molly

Hmnn..are we talking the same pools?

Isn't a heating blanket safer than a heat lamp as they can be knocked down?

 I guess it only works for labs then..

We always used a kiddie pool except for the last litter. I went to a 6X6 whelping box. The box was great, but I will be going back to the "whelping pool" for the next litter, at least for the first three weeks.

I love my kiddie pool. I had a 5 x 5 whelping box and HATED it. It was hard to clean, hard to move, etc.

I have a special "puppy" room where no one is allowed. I have the kiddie pool in there with an ex pen around it and the door open for mom to get  in and out, plus the ex pen keeps the pool in place and keeps mom from chewing, moving, or squashing it.

It's also super easy to clean and move.  I much prefer the pool over my wooden box.

Doesn't this look cozier? The walls are all adjustable from 1-3 foot (any of or all the walls) front has a guillotine entrance also adjustable, pigrails stay intact. Front is also removable where the 3 sides can remain.