Underfloor heating in whelping room

[mark1]

Thanks for the good advice that we recieved follwing my last post re first time breeding. I recieved the Book of the Bitch today thanks to Amazon managing to get in just before the post strike.
I just wondered of peoples experinces re heating of the whelping box/room. The reason I ask is that we have a small room off the kitchen that we are planning as the whelping room and it has underfloor heating controlled by a thermostat. We have been reading about the pros and cons of heating pads, heat lamps etc and would be really interested to hear thoughts about this subject.

[Ninasmum]

I use heat pads and they have been fine 

Same here.  Its a constant heat for them to cuddle up on, and i have heard the overhead lamps can get in the way. 

We always have the puppies upstairs with mum for the first 3 weeks, as they need to be constantly monitored, and if i am downstairs the cctv is on in the kitchen.

[hollyd443]

if i am downstairs the cctv is on in the kitchen.

Awww, what channel is it on? That'd be addictive viewing 

[Jane S]

The reason I ask is that we have a small room off the kitchen that we are planning as the whelping room and it has underfloor heating controlled by a thermostat. We have been reading about the pros and cons of heating pads, heat lamps etc and would be really interested to hear thoughts about this subject.

Is your small room big enough for a camp bed or similar? You'll be needing to sleep (well not much sleep really) with a newborn litter for the first 2-3 weeks.

We use an electric heat pad in the actual box (and usually have the central heating on too for a winter litter) - don't like overhead lamps personally although I know a lot of breeders swear by them.

[Ninasmum]

if i am downstairs the cctv is on in the kitchen.

Awww, what channel is it on? That'd be addictive viewing 

Its on the puppy watch channel  which is also addictive 
Its a baby monitor with a screen really. 

[sarah25]

We use an electric heat pad in the actual box (and usually have the central heating on too for a winter litter)

And us.

[wales07]

We use an electric heat pad in the actual box (and usually have the central heating on too for a winter litter)

And us.

Me too. I also use a plug in oil filled radiator that is thermostatically controlled and i place that by the side of the whelping box. Its especially good for when the heating isnt on as the whelping room stays at that temperature and we are not overheating in the rest of the house.
Jayne raised a vital point though which is is the room you have choosed comfortable enough for you to spend the first 3 weeks in,day and night. For this reason for the first 3 weeks my litters are upstairs in 'the snug' complete with comfy sofa and sky tv! Obviously the bitch and her pups are top priority but you have to be comfy too and some bitches or pups need a lot more care and help than you imagine.

[Eve]

I'm sure you know anyway but I will mention bars. Bars around the whelping box so the pups have somewhere to go if mum tries to lay on them. With my litters I did use an overhead light and was constantly having to move it around.

[bluegirl]

Not sure that the heat from the underfloor heating would be able to penetrate your whelping box, especially if its slightly raised off the floor. Also the idea of a heating pad is so pups can get on it but also move off it if too warm.
I like heating pads.
I agree you need space for yourself, my last litter was a nightmare and I spent the first 6 weeks with them in total, before I felt comfortable enough to leave them and after such a long time it felt very strange in my own bed after that. Also had CCTV set up so I could see and hear them 24/7

[spanielcrazy]

And mum too  Nursing bitches get very hot so need to be able to go somwhere to cool off but not too far from the puppies. I like heat pads myself, properly positioned, the puppies can be on it and mum off, even while nursing

[mark1]

Thanks for the advice from everyone. I did have concerns that underfloor heating on too warm wouldn't give any 'escape' from the heat so will probably keep it to a minimum and use a heat pad for that concentrated bit of warmth. We've got central heating that warms the room as well to certain extent and a portable oil filled radiator so enough options hopefully. Just getting the room ready now and am going to experiment with getting a the temperature pretty constant before the event. Thanks again for your thoughts.