dee's WHELPING BOX
Whelping Box Plans
Whelping Box Plans
Although the sketches are more-or-less self
explanatory, a few amplifying remarks may be helpful, particularly with respect
to the details shown on Figure 1:
- Detail A. The side panels are held together by hinges having removable
pins, screwed or bolted as shown to the plywood panels. Be sure to leave the
pins in during assembly, or you may have alignment problems later.
- Detail B. We want to make sure that the sides cannot be lifted by some
leverage of the bitch working under the guard rails, and then letting them
drop guillotine-fashion on a small or neck. So we provide pins to keep them
down securely. To install, assemble the sides completely on the box floor.
Drill guide holes slightly smaller than the pins you will use through the
panels and into the flooring. Remove the panels, and drill out the holes in
them to be slightly larger than the pins. Drive nails into the guide holes in
the flooring, cut off the heads, and file smooth. Now when you re-assemble the
pins will hold the panels down securely and safely.
- Detail C. Wing catch, to hold the side panels in place when you have
removed the front to allow the puppies in and out of the box. Turned to the
horizontal position it permits the sides to be slid in place over the
hold-down pins; vertical it keeps the sides from slipping off when not held by
the front panel.
- Not shown as a separate detail, but indicated on Figure 1. Cut and hinge
the front panel, flush with the top of the guard rail. When folded down this
affords a place to sit while the whelping s going on, and for watching and
tending while the puppies are too small to climb out. Up, it is held in place
by the hinge-fastner, and keeps the two- to three-week old pups from climbing
out.
- It should be noted that dimensions are predicated upon the nominal sizes
of seasoned lumber. A "two by four" when dry measures 1 1/2" x 3 1/2". Before
making your cuts check the actual dimensions of the wood you are using, and
make minor size adjustments as necessary.
Additional Tips
- 1. Make the floor in two pieces, on two separate frames measuring 2 1/2' x
6' each, for easy transport.
- As an alternative to Detail B you can make the side panels rest directly
on the main floor as illustrated in Figure 5.
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