Hi Just wondered how people hang thier heat lamps up over the whelping box?  I didnt expect it to be quite as big and heavy
and thought of a hook in the ceiling but now I'm thinking this might not be the safest option?

Mmm I saw one fall a few years ago - you're right to be cautious. 

I've always preferred covered, insulated whelping boxes and heated mats when it's cold.

I have a couple of hooks for mine, to hold up some of the cable as well as the lamp.  My mum's used them for over 30 years on hers & never had a problem (touching wood ;-))  I know people tend to use the underbody source rather than overhead, but I worry about overheating as well as underheating.

Go with your gut instinct is probably the best advice (sorry useless aren't i?!)

Have never used a heat lamp, I just make sure the room temperature is warm enough for the pups - this of course means heating on 24/7 if it is a winter litter,only turning it off at night once pups are around 6 weeks but it has proven to be a perfectly good way of keeping everyone comfortably warm.

We have a A frame with a wooden bar across that the heatlamp is hung from.

Tracy

i havn't used heat lamps,both my bitches hate the warmth and would refuse to lay under them,I've used a heat pad in one corner of the whelping box,for both litters,and think this works best,as mum can lay in a cool area,and the pups gravitate towards the warmth,and pile on top of the heated bit.

I have U shaped brackets on the side of the whelping box that a length of metal tube slots into.  An "S" hook fits inot the top of the tube, and the lamp is hung from  chain, so it can be raised or lowered to adjust the temp and area covered by heat.

> i havn't used heat lamps,both my bitches hate the warmth and would refuse to lay under them,I've used a heat pad in one corner of the whelping box,for both litters,and think this works best,as mum can lay in a cool area,and the pups gravitate towards the warmth,and pile on top of the heated bit.

This is a good idea. We have underfloor heating in our house and I know now to turn it off in the whelping room. It is counterproductive to make your bitch too hot, she will only jump out of the whelping box which can not be a good thing :-)

Thanks for all the replys.  As this is our first litter I know I have probably bought stuff that I wont use or discover I never need but I'm
trying to cover everything.  I have got heat pads as well but will set the lamp up anyway just in case.  My girl is a heavy coated breed and doesnt like too much heat so like some of you have mentioned I'm guessing she wont want it on when she's in the box.