Hi,
Question to other breeders!!!!

Have been breeding many years, used both heat lamps and heat pads. I prefer heat lamps.

All puppies are bred in my dinning room, which turns into a matunity wards :-).

I keep asking myself every time, how long should I keep the lamp on. Normally at this time of year, first 7 days I keep iy on 24 7. Then weeks two I start turning it off for a few hours over mid day, gradually increase time and by 3 weeks the lamp is off.
Question what if you use a heat lamp it your routine???????????
Thanks

I assess the air temperature and I have to say that I normally only have it on when the bitch isn't with the puppies and then put it on when the bitch goes out (toileting etc) I don't like my bitch getting too warm in case she ends up wanting to be away from the box and leave her puppies because she is uncomfortable.
I have never used a heat pads so in my limited experience I am happy with the heat lamp.

Chrisy  i do the same as you .  for my last litter i bought  a petnap pad instead of the overhead heat lamp  and found that the bitch was much more comfortable with this rather than the  heat lamp.

http://www.petnap.co.uk/acatalog/Books.html#a30