Hi all,

So the whelping box is finally up and my bitch is happy! She's very large this time so she's pleased to have a soft space to lay.

My question....to pig rail or not to pig rail?
I've always used pig rails before and she is quite careless where she lays, however I'd like to know the opinion of you experienced breeders??

I wouldn't be without them for the first 3 weeks....I fortunately have never lost a pup but know of several people who have due to crushing. Obviously the bitch can lie on one in the middle of the box but it is just one less thing to worry about and I think they are lifesavers.

Never used them & never lost a puppy due to crushing, in 44 years of breeding.

Nearly 40 years..never used one but then I tend to spend a great deal of time with my pups.
However if I had a heavy bodied bitch or a breed notorious for their slovenly mothering I suppose Id have used them.
Boxer mothers are exceptionally careful mums, perching on their elbows if pups are at risk.
I know Scottie and Bulldog mothers are notorious for squashing pups.

I've always used them as my girls are heavy and we've never lost a pup yet although I stay with them for 2 weeks 24/7. have seen photos of shelves instead of rails.

My lab literally plonks herself down wherever she lands! I'll be adding pig rails again this time for the first few weeks. She's HUGE this time round and completely bald bellied already at 7 weeks. If this litters not bigger than the last (6) I'll eat my hat!

Always use them why wouldn't you?

With my large (but not particularly heavy -20/24 kg) breed I seem to forever be rescuing puppies that have ended up behind the bitch, under the pigrails -I am absolutely certain I would have lost several pups had it not been for the pig rails. With every litter it happens on a daily basis that the bitch has a pup behind her that would have been squashed had the rail not been in the way.

She's HUGE this time round and completely bald bellied already at 7 weeks. If this litters not bigger than the last (6) I'll eat my hat!

You might have to bring the salt and pepper out for the hat as bitches usually look bigger for a second litter even if there are less pups. :)

I don't use them and only puppy I have ever lost to crushing (long labour exhausted bitch and breeder) was in the middle of the whelping box.

MY breed is not very heavy (20kg) and normally very careful, and I stay close until pups eyes are open.

>Always use them why wouldn't you?

I don't use a traditional box, but use puppy panels t(line the sides with cardboard) o construct a den which is then covered, and once pups reach three weeks made bigger.

I would always use pig rails with bitches being 45kg pre pregnancy weight its very easy for them to have an accident.

Always use then, in fact my whelping box has shelves  as I find small pups poke their heard up under the pig rails once they get moving. I think they are invaluable. I have a large heavy breed. Mind you nothing can beat sitting and watching, something I spend 24/7 doing for the first 3 weeks ;-)
Aileen

With my often clumsy breed, PIG RAILS!!!!   We had a 4 X 4 box, with a base and pig rails round 3 sides and a low end for mum to get out over, but not her puppies!    Once they were up and mobile, the box was moved from a quiet room in the house to the kitchen and a second 4 X 4 section added, removing the low end as the second section had a hinged flap for mum to come and go.   Bearing in mind this is the low slung Basset - even lower with a full milk bar!!

I'm sure having pig rails has saved the life of a puppy or two, despite one of us being there pretty much 24/7

I have always used pig rails, and as you mention she can be clumsy I personally would not risk not using them again.

I've used them for both my litters - I was there nearly the whole time and they were small litters with a good mum, but it's just a bit of added security. :-)