Hello all, puppies are 6 weeks tomorrow and they have been having food for two weeks now, however only this last week any decent amount.

This is my first litter,  and I thought that mum would be feeding alot less and spending less time with them.  I'm not complaining, but she's not and I am worried that in two weeks when some of the pups go to their new homes they will not be sufficiently weaned.

They are all lapping water happily, are bright, healthy and gaining weight.

The only time mum leaves them is when I take her out for exercise.

They have a room to themselves just off the kitchen, and can venture into the kitchen whenever they want apart from overnight or if I have to pop out.  Mum has plenty of places she can go to be away from them if she chooses.

I have read that you should never restrict mum access to her pups.  They are a medium gundog breed.

Am I worrying over nothing? :)

by this age my medium breed are eating as much as an adult, and by 8 weeks somewhat more.

How much food do you think they are getting, compared to the maintenance level of an adult bitch?.

I certainly would not worry about how much Mum still wishes to feed them, after all when they go to their new homes they will eat more if they need to, as they are eating well now, but I doubt they will be getting much from her by then.

Do you take her away from them at feeding time? If so and they still suckle then don't worry. they won't get much and it is more a comfort suck than a feeding suck, though they will be getting milk off her.

If she stays with them at feeding time then maybe you should remove her until they have finished eating. ;-)

Thank you for your replies :)

They are not eating as much as an adult, I would estimate they each eat half of what their mother would eat.  I always put down more than they eat, and at the moment they are fed four times a day.  I did try five times, but they just weren't eating it up enough.

I do shut her away when they are fed, and then she is let back in to clear up afterwards, and they are enthusiastic when I put down the food.

Should I start keeping her away from them overnight?

>Should I start keeping her away from them overnight?

A definite no from me.  I let the bitch decide.  Making sure that they can get to pups, but also move away from them if she gets fed up.  It's right that when they leave, it will almost certainly be "comfort suckles", mine will suckle pups on the day they leave home, and it's never been a worry for me.

The pups will soon eat more if they feel hungry once they have moved on to their new homes.  I always let the mum tell me what is right.  They do everything from instinct.  NOT from the book of the bitch.  :-)

JeanSW, thank you, I feel better now.  She is still producing milk, I will let her decide, she has been such a good mum :)

As long as they know how to eat as I said, the amount will adjust to their needs when they go.