It seems to me that usually the temp starts dropping during the afternoon, mama starts nesting, and then *bam* puppies come during the night. Smokey was alittle earlier, finished having her five around midnight. Sonya had all nine in about 4 hours time in the early morning hours, and I was up all friggin night with Seide who started about 4 am and averaged 1 pup per hour....for 12 hours. Actually they came in groups with 2-3 hours inbetween.