How long do I need to keep pig rails in for?

I seem to spend more time rescuing pups who are trying to climb up through them, or who've got wedged in a corner than they help....??

Never use them for those reasons, only pup I ever lost from crushing was after me and bitch fell asleep after a protracted whelping (bitches first litter, always very careful before) and that pup was in the middle of the whelping box so pig rails would not have saved him.

Sounds like they might be the wrong height or size, I find mine jolly useful for puppies determined to crawl behind mum. But if they are causing more problems than solving them and your bitch doesn't seem likely to squash them into a corner, I wouldn't bother with them.

You need to make them higher and outwards. I made the same mistake with this whelping box last time and went with the instructions that came wjth it. Had to reposition them twice. This time they are higher and more space left between them and the box. Much better and no fishing thus far.

I have also switched off the heatpad...they are much more settled now.

I am of the same opinion as Brainless.  I had a crushed(dead) pup just once and the pig rails would not have saved him as not around the edge of the box.
I have not used them for a couple of litters and not had a problem and was always rescuing the pups from up and around them.

I think I might take them out, then...

Just put my new whelping bed together and it has come with pig rails so I've installed them...never used them before so can't comment on their use at all but am very interested in hearing other people views/experiences.  I will see what happens when babies arrives but will be keeping a close eye on them just in case.

Our home-built whelping box had pig rails, or should that be a 'pig shelf' round three sides.   They were fitted so not removable.   And the puppies couldn't get stuck behind them.   I think that would have been possible with the rails!!   I preferred to have them fitted as Bassets are clumsy and could quite easily plonk down, squashing a puppy against the side of the box if the shelving wasn't there.

Yes, a little shelf thing would have been ideal!

My puppies like to sleep around the edge of the box and my girl is a tad clumsy to say the least.  The pig rail has saved the puppies form being squished numerous times, and saved me having to dive in the box to rescue someone. Just removed them as puppies are now well able to look after themselves, and using them as a step to climb out

I think having pig rails varies on the breed. We have never used them with our medium breed & never had a problem in not doing so.