Whelping Center advice

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:11 pm

I think that looks pretty awesome. good hard work pays off.

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:26 pm

not that I know very much about a whelping center....I can not think of anything. I really like the bumber along the side to keep mom from crushing one. All in all some really great ideas in there. The backsplash is also a great call under the run. My hat is off to you sir.

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:41 am

Pretty creative setup and looks like it should be comfy, dry and clean. Definitely pretty slick.

On the telescoping inserts: Are they open or do they have a hinged door or something to keep the cool air in, hot air/weather out? Will they keep the pups inside until they get to be 4-6 weeks old? Looking at the pix, they just look like holes and it is hard to tell much.

owen · Post by **owen** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:02 am

Nice job. Lots of work and $$$$. I built a whole new kennel system 3 years ago so I can relate.
Just a quick question. It looks like they are on wire floors? Do your dogs get sore footed? The reason I ask is that I built a wire floored riser system at my hunting house in Montana and my dogs hate it. Hesitant even to come out of the dog house and eat. My home kennels are all on concrete. Don't mean to hijack your thread, just curious.

CherrystoneWeims · Post by **CherrystoneWeims** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:05 am

One thought I am having while looking at the pictures. What will you do if your power goes out? Your dogs will cook in there if there is a power loss.

CherrystoneWeims · Post by **CherrystoneWeims** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:20 pm

Of course though, we are prepared for the worst. I installed a 125 amp breaker box in the wall that we framed in with the door. At anytime that we might loose power I can just bring out the generator and plug it right into the breaker box. Then every outlet, light, a.c./heat, everything has power just like if it was coming from the incoming feed from the light pole.

Smart thinking! Great to be prepared for an emergency situation.

I wasn't trying to be a smart @$$. Heck I have seen pro handlers lose a whole truckload of dogs because of power failure.

Post by **topher40** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:56 pm

Looks great! I cant think of anything to add except more dogs!

Post by **topher40** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:49 pm

I know what you mean about work, they all need their time! I appreciate the invite also, I would love to! I would probably get jealous and want one of each for myself!

Maybe when the wife gets out of school I could make the time, I will keep it in mind! Thanks again!

winchestermodel50 · Post by **winchestermodel50** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:45 pm

That beats all. Need creates innovation. Keep us posted on improvements.

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:11 pm

I can see how the plastic timber would keep the pups in for awhile. I would just be worried that they might get into the outside area and have their feet and legs fall through the larger mesh and get stuck. Looks like it would make an affordable kennel design with some mod's to give the dogs more room to move inside with a bit more headroom and larger runs outside for them to be able to exercise.

I got to ask though; Do you really plan on 12 litters at once? I just can't imagine trying to keep up with that many litters and give them the time and attention they need, as well as keeping up with the adult dogs training and attention needs. You do sleep occasionally don't you?

The backup generator is a good idea. Power companies seem to be getting less reliable these days on maintenance, not too mention the toll storms take on power lines. Don't forget the transfer switch on the main breaker!

birdogg42 · Post by **birdogg42** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:55 pm

Hey shady, how big is your wire and where did you get it? trying to make me a whelping kennel looking for ideas. I like yours though, very nice.

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:12 am

WOW! 12 females in there right now and more in the wings waiting? Do you sell to brokers and pet stores? or Do you have that big of a waiting list?!?! That is what? Like 100-150 pups needing to be placed in good homes?!
I gotta say I'm impressed! It's no wonder you needed to come up with a better whelping center with that many pups on the ground! How do you manage to do it all? I'm pretty efficient in everything I do, but I honestly don't believe I could manage that kind of an operation.

Theresa · Post by **Theresa** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:19 am

Wow - that looks really nice!

The only thing I can think of that you may encounter and would need to remedy is humidity. Similar whelping sheds I have seen all got too humid inside. Granted, the other sheds didn't have A/C, so that may not be a problem for ya.

Really impressive set up!

snips · Post by **snips** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:49 pm

I know what you mean Bruce, we have a hard enough time putting 2 litters in the summer in right places!!!

CherrystoneWeims · Post by **CherrystoneWeims** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:54 pm

(it's set up almost to labratory specs, we're pretty hard core about everything we do)

So you are USDA inspected? I would think that you have to be in order to produce that many litters a year.

Yes, Brenda, it is hard to find good homes for even just two litters a year!

birdogg42 · Post by **birdogg42** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:25 pm

Hey thanks Shawn, but my father in law deals in scrap metal and he says he has some 12 ga wire that i could get from him. But thanks anyway. Who is the fellow that is bringing you dogs from semo? If you dont mind me asking?