Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 7:37 pm Post subject: Whelping box bedding...
Really just something which I think will make a bit of a discussion judging from a couple of comments on my FB page
I normally like to use shredded cardboard (ecobed or ecobale) which I originally came across when rearing pheasant chicks. As some may know chicks are very prone to drop dead for the most silly reasons but one of them would be cold and draft especially from the floor. The shredded cardbord stuff (little squares) seems to 'trap' the heat and hold it so when you stick your hands into it, it very clearly feels warm as if you've got a heating element in there. The downside is that I only can get hold of the stuff by the pallet load and since I've stopped rearing pheasants then I don't have it any more.
So, this year I went for the rather controversial choice of straw for the actual whelping - something that was used 'in the old days' but probably before the time where people got a bit worried about bacteria, mites and all sorts. I deliberately choose a bedding which the bitch can dig around in and 'throw' around something that seems to help with contractions. Apparently, straw is BAD! Personally, I'd say it's a bloody pain when you have to stack it, get it in from the field and muck it out When did straw become bad? - let me just add that straw is of course no longer 'just straw': it comes in all sizes, types and shapes and the type that I used was actually dust extracted
It's now the 'day after' and they're now on hay - I find that you can make a better layer with hay and it is of course somehow 'softer' - the straw from the whelping has already been composted.
So what does everyone use? is it all vet bed or do we have some 'brave', hopeless old fashioned people using alternatives? Always open for new ideas especially puppy and eco friendly so would love your comments for and against arguments
Natasha
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WLF All the Way!!!!
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you canīt eat it or hump it. **** on it and walk away..."
I don't use straw Natasha but that's probably because I don't really fancy straw in the sitting room.
I use vet bed but when the bitch is whelping I tear up strips of newspaper and fill the whelping box with that. The bitches seem to love tearing it up when they are having contractions and it soaks up a lot of the nasties. Its quite easy to lift out and replace with some new as things move along too.
I guess everyone has there own preference on these things. I quite liked the sound of your shredded cardboard but couldn't track any down.
I suspect Spice is going to want to whelp in her zippy bed. She has become really attached to it since her bump has grown. I have a feeling I may be putting that in the whelping box and then shoving it in the washing machine afterwards .
You would get the cardboard bedding from the horse bedding suppliers it is very commonly used especially at vet equine hospitals for the very reason you gave it is warm absorbant and doesnt stick to wounds very easily I have forgotten its commercial name but you should be able to buy it by the bale like any other stable bedding. We used straw for pups outside in kennels vet bed and newspaper in the house. Only trouble with straw was the heatlamps in cold weather as it is a fire risk
Edited to add it is called Green Mile looks to be about 10 -15 pounds per bale but there are a few brands just google cardboard horse bedding
Not a breeder myself, but my sister who lives on a farm breeds labs and uses straw, always has and has no problems at all, pups and mum do fine, thats all I know.
Actually Natasha I'm interested because I did watch some of your whelping and I don't think Chilli tried to shred anything did she?
Its the one and only time that I find my bitches actually like to get hold of the newspaper and tear it to bits. Always prior to whelping when having contractions dig and tear, dig and tear .
Natasha my parents used to use straw many many years ago with no problems. Well hay, to be more accurate, as it was thinner and less scratchy.
Is there a reason you shun vetbed.... Its only because the darn stuff is SO easy and user friendly! I suppose it does ram up your washing machine bill though on 4 and 5 times a day later on...?
Thank you all for sharing so far - it's all very interesting stuff and rather funny to hear that if the bitch could choose she would go for anything but the box
Jill, you're right about Chilli and her not wanting to shred anything - she was only scraping/pushing it around and come to think of it the other bitches which I've had whelping (normally in the shredded cardboard) did the same. Also the cardboard stuff seemed to 'pockets' around the puppies which they seemed to like? (just pure and utter guesswork as they can't tell me)
Mistral (sorry, don't know your off screen name ) thanks for the heads up regarding getting it at a horse outlet - my local mill normally has a pretty good selection of bedding (tons of horses around here) but so far the need seems to be for different types of shavings, chopped straw and a mix between the 2 will look into it.
I once came across someone using a type of shredded fibre product - they used it in the car dog boxes and swore by it because whenever they had a wet dog this stuff 'drew' the water away from the dog while dry up pretty quickly. I must say that I like the sound of that because that is what's needed during a whelping. I'm hoping to nip off for the Suffolk show in a couple of days time and I'm sure there must be someone there with all sorts of different types of bedding so I'll be on a mission to investigate.
Di, I'm sure the vet bed is up for the job but not sure how it works with a bitch's urge to scrape/push around? Guess you just have to put it back down Then of course the washing machine argument: it's darn hard on the machine and although mine seems to be a hardy, Bosh one, I don't fancy a washing machine breakdown so pure and utter washing machine fear on my behalf
Natasha
____________
WLF All the Way!!!!
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you canīt eat it or hump it. **** on it and walk away..."
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Personally, I'd say it's a bloody pain when you have to stack it, get it in from the field and muck it out 
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