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The Medusan
Key Member
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 233
Location: Portugal
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 Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: |
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| Scott W wrote: | | The Medusan wrote: | | Scott, the egg in question went off after some time in the incubator. Judging from its appearance I would have guessed that, when laid, it was probably fertile. If that was the case, what are the typical reasons for a viable egg to fail?. |
I generally feel that most good eggs die off due to too much moisture, basically drowing the embryo inside. I have lost almost no eggs due to the substrate being too dry but do think I've lost more than my fair share due to too much moisture.
Not too sure why it would be only one in a clutch but perhaps that was already weak or developing in a different position or more prone to absorbing the water.
Incidently all my clutches I have set up recently have been on much dryer vermiculite, including your clutch from yesterday  (although sadly I couldn't be arse'd to mess about with your special plastic grid   ) |
If, as you say, excessive moisture is to blame for eggs turning bad would it not be better to use a barrier substrate such as Perlite? This would enable you to keep the container humidity high - which is a "must do" - but would prevent the eggs themselves from getting soaked. I notice that you prefer to half bury your eggs in the vermiculite (to prevent them rolling around?). Is it possible that this method may not allow you enough flexibility in your incubation environment? If your vermiculite is too moist the eggs will not survive.
Meanwhile, I'll overlook your failure with my plastic grid! |
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angel148
Key Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 328
Location: Leicester
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:48 am Post subject: |
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1/3 perlite to 2/3 vermiculite. Add same weight water. Perlitle is heavier so your actually adding more water to the mix if vermiculite alone was used but the perlite keeps if from being wet!! Best of both world, increased humidity, decreased moisture on the egg. Works 100% for me!!
Paul |
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SteveL
Captivebred Communist
Joined: 30 Apr 2006
Posts: 1531
Location: Cov
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: |
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Bad eggs do not have any impact on healthy eggs 
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| jezz wrote: | | I dont understand SteveL's sarcasm dohhh |
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Scott W
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 13355
Location: London, England.
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:19 am Post subject: |
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| The Medusan wrote: |
If, as you say, excessive moisture is to blame for eggs turning bad would it not be better to use a barrier substrate such as Perlite? This would enable you to keep the container humidity high - which is a "must do" - but would prevent the eggs themselves from getting soaked. I notice that you prefer to half bury your eggs in the vermiculite (to prevent them rolling around?). Is it possible that this method may not allow you enough flexibility in your incubation environment? If your vermiculite is too moist the eggs will not survive.
Meanwhile, I'll overlook your failure with my plastic grid! |
I would agree that a perlite 'barrier' is good and helps to give you a larger safety margin for humidity errors. You know me though Dave, I don't do anything by the rule book
I set up another 10 boxes ready for the next few clutches and didn't measure any water or substrate mix, just done what felt right. I much prefer the 'hands on, gut feeling approach' rather than following a recipe etc.
I semi bury the eggs for two reasons, firstly as you said to keep them stable and secondly to give plenty of space above them.
BTW why haven't you left yet????
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk |
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jamie_s
Site Moderator
Joined: 08 Jan 2006
Posts: 1963
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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cool thread ive set all my boxes up this year with 550 grms of medium grade vermiculite and then 550 grms of water.this i then mixed together and on the top i put 150 grms of dry perlite and then pressed it all down to compact it as much as it as possible quite bummingly out of my first clutch of eggs 2 failed  1 almost straight away,like within 2 days and the other after maybe 3 weeks  both my other clutches are looking spot on????i think sometimes you just get a bad eggg or 2
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Dracowoman2
Captivebred Colonel
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 2205
Location: Gwent
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Having read through everyones methods of setting up their eggs I find myself wondering what to do when I finally get eggs. It does prove that there are so many different ways of doing things and none of them is right or wrong, really highlights the amazing ability of mother nature. I think I would agree that the eggs that are 'lost' are probably the ones that were weak and wern't meant ot make it.
I have tried Perlite with my gecko eggs and didn't like the results, I distrust it slightly I felt that it seemed to 'suck' the moisture out of the eggs when I used it as a barrier layer, but I believe it works well for Jas with his gecko eggs. Being slightly 'Anal' about things I have to say I will probably weigh my substrate and water mix initially and then experiment later on.
What size tub is everyone using and how many inches of substrate do you have under your eggs? I plan to use 9L RUBS and put clingfilm over the top before I put the lids on as there is an air gap around the outer edge of the lids.
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"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"
Claire |
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Scott W
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 13355
Location: London, England.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: |
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I use the medium conticos Claire, adding about 2" of substrate.
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jon_g
Key Member
Joined: 02 Jun 2006
Posts: 367
Location: Bali, Indonesia
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Dracowoman2
Captivebred Colonel
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 2205
Location: Gwent
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Scott, I was worried that 2” of substrate wouldn’t be enough to hold the humidity through full term of incubation. Just need some eggs now
Nice picture Jon, lovely looking snake as well
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www.draco2.co.uk
"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"
Claire |
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angel148
Key Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 328
Location: Leicester
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Don't like to boast but I have more inches to my box than Scott a full 3"
Paul |
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