leopuppy04 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Just a question about what you use. It's been nearly 3 years since our first litter and when we had that litter I borrowed one from my breeder. I think hers will be in use when our litter is due and given that I'll probably be having a few litters next year I think it's time to get my own so did you buy yours, make yours, use a clam shell?!!? If you made it - what are the dimensions etc? What do you use for heating (heating pad, heat lamps etc?!)? I might be able to get a friend to make for me. I know that my breeders one was heated in itself, but I found that Kinta got quite hot in there - is it possible to get one where it's 1/2 heated so the bitch doesn't overheat but will stay with her puppies?! Any advice, recommendations or tips are greatly appreciated :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Breed: Great Dane Size of whelping box: 1.8 x 1.5 mtr Material: Melamine from Bunnings Bottom of whelping box: None Flooring: Carpet tiles, then a tarp followed by paper then vetbed/carpet Cost of whelping box: $90 including brackets Heating: Heat mat + Heat lamp - I like the heat lamp as it heats the air the puppies breathe in, heat mat just heats the puppies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 LP I bought a kit sandpit from Bunnings. It took about 10 minutes to put together and I then gave it a couple of coats of paint to seal it and make it easy to clean. It cost about $100 and we've now had 3 litters in it. It is 1m x 1.5m. The only downfall is that this litter of pups was able to climb out at about 2weeks as the sides are only about 15cm high. I have a small heating pad set up in one corner for the first couple of weeks so the pups can seek it out if they are a bit cold, and that has worked well for us as puppies are inside our house anyway. I have the bed set up on a show mat doubled over, covered with thick layers of newspaper, and then vet bed or some other bedding on top of that at one end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 melamine from Bunnings, 1.2 X 1.2, sides 600mm high and used a heat lamp for heating, plus the room heating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozstar Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Made from melamine with metal antichew railings 1200 x 1200 x 400 high used for Basset Hounds. I use a heat lamp for the first couple weeks and then a heat pad. Leanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 i used a heat lamp and was very happy with it. kept pups warm and Ari wasn't close to it. My whelping box is comparitively large.for my breed... but as it turned out it was quite handy as she did get quite hot and liked to move about. mine also had no floor like Sways and i used some vinyl, with carpet on top and then newspaper and vet bed (sheets/towels during whelping) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpoint GSP Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Mine are GSP's - bought a whelping box from http://hydrobaths.com.au 1.2m x 1.2m wouldn't have wanted any smaller for my breed, if I had a really large litter eg. 12+ I might have run into trouble. By the time pups could jump out they were ready to be able to go onto paper in a small pen. Very easy to clean, pig rails are good and love the removeable half door at the front. Just used newspaper in the bottom with vetbed (best invention EVER) in the bottom. I liked the greenback vetbed because it dried quicker after washing - my rubber stuff took a look longer to dry. My bitch doesn't dig though so I really didn't have problems with her pulling up the greenback. My whelping box was inside so mainly used in house heating - having a short coat breed I don't run into too many problems with mum getting hot, used hot water bottles for babies when mum was out - had no problems, they cuddled up to it and were just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parkeyre Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I bought mine from Kenol. It's 120x120x40cm and heated. I just love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 My hubby made ours...he made it out of melamine bought from Bunnings. Total cost about $80.00. He made it 1m x1m x 40cm high...which is probably a little big for my breed, but it's a good thing he did make it a little bigger, as my bitch has had 2 very big litters. I put a heat pad in the corner of it, I use a vet bed for bedding & the room they are in is heated too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 The old model. I've since built another two and added a drop down clear plastic sheet, so the heat stays in and I can be lazy and peak in. The front unbolts and the pups can walk in and out, as they get older. The pig rails had been taken out in this pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted August 23, 2011 Author Share Posted August 23, 2011 Thanks everyone for your responses Seems like a Bunnings trip is on the list of things to do! Where did everyone get their heat lamps from?! I've never seen them before . What about heating pads?! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Leopuppy, The heat lamp and stand I used came from a place that sold reptile supplies. It is an adjustable height stand and is also easily pivoted so I could alter how much heat they were getting by how high/low the lamp was and how far over the box I had it. The lamp itself is a ceramic globe that gives out no light but I think I would do the same as a friend and get 1 of the red 1s next time so when checking in the middle of the night you can see without turning the lights on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 mines from a repitle place too. I have a couple. One for winter and one for summer pups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I plugged my heat lamp into a thermostat and controlled the temp with that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I think I would do the same as a friend and get 1 of the red 1s next time so when checking in the middle of the night you can see without turning the lights on. I use the red heat lamp for that reason, can see what is going on in the middle of the night without having to wake everyone up. Gives everyone a nice red glow, but enough light to be able to see what is going on. I also adjust mine up and down to get the heat right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I use the out door red flood light. Gives lots of warmth and easy on the pups eyes plus mums. I just attach the lights socket to a piece of wood and attach that to the whelping box and you can direct the warmth where ever you want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffioraire Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Made from melamine with metal antichew railings 1200 x 1200 x 400 high used for Basset Hounds. I use a heat lamp for the first couple weeks and then a heat pad. Leanne That set up looks brilliant. How much did it cost you (if you dont mind me asking?) What bedding have you used in that photo? I'm tossing up whether we are better to make one or just buy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozstar Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 All up the box itself cost just under $100, far cheaper to make than by. I had the place cut the timber to size as well so it was easier. For bedding I use eggcup foam cut to size and then place it inside a single bed quilt cover, the cover is big enough to fold back over a couple times (keeping the foam dry). I pick up quilt covers from the op shops for $1-$2, the foam I bought from target ($32 for single bed size) and got a couple pieces for the box out of it. Leanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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