Used in pig houses to protect baby pigs. Even with eyes CLOSED babies seem to know the ledge is above them and migrate to sides of box. I let my babies stay with Mom (after close supervision to judge her behavior) when they are about 3 weeks old--eyes are open and have enough size and strength if sat on. However I don't let Mom get in and out of box unsupervised as I am afraid she will step on one. I use a heat lamp above box instead of a heat pad. I can adjust distance to get desired temp. Also keep box covered with a sheet to prevent any drafts. I put blankets/towels in front half of box and piddle pads in back. Amazing how fast they learn to go on piddle pads and keep their bed clean.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

try building what I think is called a pigs tail. Halfway up the walls of your whelping box have a 5" shelf coming outwards on each wall, that way if the pups are in the box and momma lays down pups go under the shelf and don't get smooshed on the wall. BUT even with this I NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER leave pups in the whelping box with momma unsupervised. My pups go in and stay in the whelping once eyes are open. If I need heat in the box I have a heating blanket that only covers half of the box that way pups can migrate from heat to cold.

Good luck,
J

the bitch can smother one of them against the side without even realizing it. I learned this the hard way by losing one at close to 3 weeks that way and I had only went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. If you put them in the welping box then kennel the bitch in another room and only let her there when they are fed and you are watching.

obviously mum is not in there with them unless feeding but by now you will be finding your box is probably getting to small.

What I do is a have a human baby playpen I put mine in. I have a hanging light(buy at Walmart) in the hardware section it has a clip with it. I clip it on the playpen if they need warmth (I used a 100 watt bulb or 75 depends on the weather. I use incontentint pads throw away and washables. Like the others I don't put them in this until they have their eyes open and are moving around quite a bit. Mommy can see them through the playpen and is content. When they are a bit older 3 or 4 weeks old I move them to the whelping box.. Hope this helps.. good luck with your gang. Mine are now 6 1/2 weeks old..

Linda