[venessa]

OK, this is the first time I've had any eggs hatch out with survivors. I had one hatchling that was quite a bit smaller than its clutchmate, even though it hatched a few days after the larger one. It made it to about three weeks old, and then I found it drowned in its food (a soda bottle cap) when I got home from work. I do not keep water in with the hatchlings, as I mist a few times a day. I've since had a second hatchling (different clutch) found in the same position-though this one I was able to get out of the food and used the mist bottle to rinse off completely. This most recent one is really tiny. There still seemed to be quite a bit of yolk in the shell when it hatched compared to the other three four that have hatched successfully. It is now two days old, but not very active compared to the other two that are the same age. Its clutchmate has not yet hatched. Has anyone else lost any hatchlings to 'drowning' in their food?
Should I try a shallower dish for my hatchlings?

[Hannibal]

I usually do not keep food in with my hatchlings until they are established well on the CGD via hand feedings. I usually hand feed for the first 2-3 weeks, then I start introducing the CGD into their enclosure using contact lens lids as they are shallow & no risk of drowning. You can get a 3 pack of contact lens cases (6 lids) for about $2-3 at Wal-Mart.

[Spyral]

Hm, I've heard of one account of such a "drowning" but it was a second-hand report from a sketchy pet shop. I don't think it's very likely that this would happen again, if this is indeed what happened.

I think it's important to have water in the enclosure (especially Kritter Keepers) to let the babies drink whenever they want. I have lost hatchlings to dehydration. Too frequent misting can cause bacteria to thrive, leading to respiratory problems.

I live in a dry environment, so raising hatchlings is a balance between humidity and ventilation. Running a humidifier to keep ambient room humidity at around 55% is perfect, combined with nightly sprayings. I recommend a shallow water dish as well.

[Amythest]

What kind of temps are you keeping the eggs at and how long is incubation before they hatch?

I keep my babies in a medium kritter keeper and they usually have CGD and water available at all times as well as pinhead crix once a week after they're a couple weeks old. The CGD is usually on a flat little lid (like a milk jug lid) or something while the water is in a 1 1/2 oz deli container with a small rock in it so they can get out if they fall in. I have never had a issue with drowning in either water or food.

However, the eggs are kept cool, likely around 70F at the warmest and hatch after 70-80ish days. The hatchlings are kept in similar conditions. (They're in the basement, the rest of the house gets too hot in the summer for them.) If you have much warmer incubation temps and shorter incubation times the hatchlings seem to be smaller and much more delicate. Could this be part of the problem?

[lauraleellbp]

Sounds to me like the smaller hatchlings may not have developed properly and aspirated in their food. It would take a necropsy to be sure, though. Yes, too warm or unstable temps during incubation definitely can cause developmental issues.

I think your temps sound fine, but what does your humidity run? KKs don't hold humidity as well and overall the humidity isn't as stable as it is using bins/tubs/glass enclosures. I use medium KKs for my hatchlings, too, but I also keep humid hides in there for them (overturned deli cup with a notch cut in the side and damp paper towel inside) and 2 paper towels are folded over for substrate in the KK rather than just one, to help hold the humidity. My humidity cycle generally runs 80-50% this way.

What are you using to measure your temps and humidity?

[venessa]

I posted over at Pangea as well, and it looks like my issues may have been due to temp fluctuations/spikes. We don't have central air, and we had a couple weeks well over 100* and the window units were having trouble keeping up.
My first two successful hatches were right at 60 days-one of those is the one that I found face down in its food , the other will be a month old on Sept 1.
The one I called Tiny hatched right around 50 days, and died at two days old. Tiny's clutchmate has not hatched yet, though both eggs have experienced the same temps. Two others hatched right at 55 days, and will be a week tomorrow-both seem to be doing great.
I have since made some small glass dishes (I do lampwork as a hobby) to use in the KK with the hatchlings-they are much shallower than a soda cap or milk cap, and not big enough in diameter for even a small hatchling to fit their whole body into, and they work well for food and water.
Temps have dropped below 100* and we have added another window unit to the house, so I am able to regulate better, keeping the eggs right around 70-74.