Hi, we're just over 2 weeks into our first litter. I've just wormed the pups and they are growing well. It's a litter of 9 medium/large breed gundog and could do with some advice please.

Mum is spending more time out of the box which I presume is normal. She is going in to feed them regularly and the box is kept spotless, so she's being a great mum.

We've got 2 smaller pups than the rest, 3 middle range in size and 4 bigger pups. Every mealtime has to be monitored because the larger pups will hoist the smaller ones off. It's been a juggling act to make sure they all get fed, and they can be noisy because they are competing so much. I've been wondering if she's actually producing enough milk, but the pups have all been gaining weight so presume she's producing just enough. She is eating well, although her stools have been loose since the whelping.

I'm wondering what would be the best time to start weaning? I'm trying to hold off until the 3 week mark, but the pups seem to be hungry a lot of the time and feeding every chance they get... is this still normal??

Your advice/experience would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tanya

hi tanya, i have had large breed jitters and i normally start weaning them around 2 and half weeks, i normally start with a bland puppy porridge once a day and increase this over a couple of days and then start them on a complete puppy food with extras such as scrambled egg, boiled egg, fish, fresh beef mince etc.  It is normal for your bitch to spend less time in the whelping box, she sounds like a great mum :)

I started to wean mine at 2 1/2 weeks (large breed a litter of 10) I knew they were ready as they were all walking round licking, vet bed etc and just looking plain hungry....I think the majority were really interested straight away, no encouragement needed and the ones that weren't interested in the first meal I just took it that they weren't ready yet. I just left them until they were interested. within a couple of days they were all eating with gusto...good luck :-)

i started mine at about 2.5 weeks if they are not ready they will refuse it but if they are ready they will eat good luck :)

i weaned mine at 2 1/2 weeks (large breed) only 4 in the litter but they were cryin all the time and would go straght to mums food as soon as i put it down the food was gone lol ,so i knew they were ready ,try it and see :) now the mess beings lol x

Hi Itsadogslife, mine are now just over 4 weeks old, I have a litter of 11 medium/large gundog breed.  I started to wean at 2.5 weeks old.  I too had a similar problem with 2 or 3 smaller ones some medium sized ones and a couple of large ones so I had to monitor feed times with mum.  I offered some very sloppy soaked puppy food to the guys and some tried it some didn't, the smaller ones were the first to try it which suited me, gradually they are started to eat and now they are on four meals a day and doing well.  There is still a weight gap but the smaller ones are beginning to catch up. 

Good luck

Jan

Ditto 2 1/2 weeks, most often day 18 for mine.  One meal (taster) first day twice the next, and if they are really keen straight onto four mini meals, which increase with appetite until they go.

Thanks so much for your replies, I soaked some puppy food in plenty of water and mushed it up well tonight and put it in a tray and onto the floor. I couldn't believe how much most of them all dived into it, one even stood right in the middle of the tray, so funny!! Unfortunately the smallest two didn't really want to try it, but am picking up some puppy porridge I've ordered tomorrow, so will try with that tomorrow. I feel so much better about starting them after reading your replies.

My bitch Izzie is looking at me rather relieved, I think it was becoming a little wearing on her with them all in such a scrabble at every mealtime!! I feel just by taking some of the pressure off her, will make things easier all round.

On the question of giving water, should I give this? (I have got a earthenware water bowl to put in). Should I leave some water in there or just around mealtimes at the moment?

Once again, thanks!

once weaning as started i leave water down for them all day and take it up at night at this age ....only leave down when your there to make sure pups are ok ...they will soon get the hang of it instead of playing in it :) x

LOL I was just going to ask that question!! You have no idea how long it is taking to toilet and feed this lot!! I love them to pieces though!

if you are going to leave water down then only leave a small measure to ensure puppies safety, once they are more active and get the hang of things then extra water can be left down x