Whelping box size - Page 1

My 24.5 inch tall GSD girl will be whelping in about 2.5 weeks. I have materials already available to make a whelping box that is 48 inches x 43 inches. If I want 48X48 it will be very much more work. Basically a very good base that is only 48x43 is ready. Do you think 48 x 43 is a small difference compared to 48x48? Thanks

Mine are both 48 x 60 and 18'high with pig rails.  I like the extra foot in the length in the box since sometimes I am also in there for very long periods of time and need to at least be able to straighten my legs out:

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Mine are the same size as JulieM's are, and your girl being a little big would probably do well in that sized box too. I've had a couple of larger females and the 48x60 was perfect for them. Just be sure to add the pig rails, especially if your box will be smaller because that could increase your chances of a pup getting laid on if she's in a smaller box. And like Julie said, it makes it easier to sit in there if you can stretch your legs out :) I don't always have my pig rails in, but someone is in the room with them at all times until a week or two old depending on the mother. We just had a new litter born yesterday, here's a pic from this morning of the set up that I snapped for you. Our box has no floor and comes apart into 4 pieces that store flat. For the floor I have a piece of remnant carpet set on our tile floor for cushioning, then we use 2 black rugs 3x5 from Home Depot, they have a solid rubber bottom so nothing leaks through and they have a very short pile on the top side, then on top of that we have the blue moving pads that you can also get from Home Depot or a moving supply company. We set the box on top of those layers and it is nice because the puppies can't get rolled up in any loose blankets because the walls of the box keep the blanket held down nice and taut. After whelping we just swap out the black rugs and blue pad for fresh ones and then continue to change that blue blanket and the rugs again if they get wet. The blue blankets hold a lot and they don't usually let a small amount of liquid through, it has to be a good sized amount for it to soak through.

Hope all of that helps and wasn't too much, I just always like to pass along what I think to be good info that might help someone else make things easier. Good luck with your litter :)

Barbie

The base of the whelping box is really a plastic pallet that measures 48x43 inches.

It is nice in that it is all hard plastic and the top has anti-slip ridges. The large holes will be filled with concrete and than a layer of epoxy to keep it clean and washable.

There will be puppy rails.


I think this  setup really is ideal except for being 5 inches narrower on one dimension.  

I went 60x60 by 14" high. I made one end hinged so the whole side would swing open for easy cleaning. Sounds a bit small, but should work. Just keep a close eye on things.
        Have fun and Good Luck!

The whelping box I built has no floor and I use this 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of 1/8" plastic wall material that I purchased at home depot for 20 bucks:

http://tinyurl.com/4ynvw4j

It is easy to clean and since my box is 4x4 there is an additional 4 feet on the outside of the box.  I have ACDs and my bitch is quite petite so a 4x4 box is actually pretty over kill for her.  Luckily I am short so I can sit with my legs extended out or I can sit on the seat in the corner.

Here is my box with the plastic liner beneath it (Yes, I know the size is not the only thing I went overkill on when it comes to the whelping box and the things within it :-p) :

I have a 42x48" box that I have used for two different litters. It's fine for the first few weeks, but if you have a large litter, you will want to be able to expand the space for them to move about in once they are about 3 weeks old.

I've also used a box that is 48x48" -- I find that that is a very good size.

A box that is too big is actually a potential problem in the first weeks as the pups can get too far from mom and get a bit cold.

I will need a whelping box for only the first three weeks.

I have almost, unfornately only almost, built a 8X16 storage shed that can double for a whelping room.

It will be finished by time the pups are three weeks old; then I can put them all in the shed.

"I will need a whelping box for only the first three weeks."

Good thing since you'll be having a hard time keeping them in there by then anyway.  ;o)