Weaning pen time

The pups made a big move today! From birth until today the pups have lived in a 4ft by 4ft whelping box (the slats of wood you can see in the photos are known as pig rails and are designed to help prevent the mother from laying too close to the walls and accidentally squishing a puppy). This area was warm and secure to keep them safe while they grew through their earliest days. But lately these spaces have become crowded and today we expanded. Each litter doubled their area into a 4ft by 8ft weaning pen and moved out of the small rooms they had occupied in our house and in to the garage. They still have their heat lamps to ward off any chill they might feel.

The whelping box is still there but one side is removed and a wire fenced area has been added. This gives additional space for their litter box (which they are now using at least 75% of the time!!!), a nice sleeping area, and more play space. The pups were very excited to check out their new space and happily explored. The moms are free to come and go at their leisure through the whelping box door and they often spend some quiet time away from the litter these days. This space will be enough for the puppies for about a week maybe and then they will need another expansion.

This little fella fully approves of the added space for lap sitting!

Look at the adorable whiskers and eyebrows on this sleepy guy!

Goodnight!