To open an egg, or not?

[Meg]

I've not had a successful start to my leo breeding. Only one hatchling from 13 eggs.

I have one in my incubator that I was sure would hatch by this weekend. In fact, It looks like it started to... the top has a small slit and some clear fluid has leaked out. But its been 2 days of no movement. And the other egg of the set has dented, but not hatched.


So, should I try to see if the hatchling is okay... I'm so afraid of hurting it, maybe it just isnt ready to come out? It seems like its been too long though. Help!

 

[acpart]

I just had something exactly like this happen and in my case the baby was dead. You can wait a little longer, or open it and see what you have, but it may not be good news. Good luck with the rest of your eggs.

Aliza

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

If you're only having a 1 in 13 hatch rate, you need to address what's going on. That's a very poor success rate. What's your incubation method?

 

[Meg]

If you're only having a 1 in 13 hatch rate, you need to address what's going on. That's a very poor success rate. What's your incubation method?

I use a hovabator 1602n set at 84 and I use vermiculite in the egg containers. I had a couple of bad temp days. We've had a strange spring here in the northeast US. I work nights and sleep during the day... and we had some 80 degree days that threw my ambient temps all to heck. I try to keep my reptile room between 78-80.

I've done the research, but I am new at this. I lose most eggs to mold. I don't know if thats because there is too much moisture, or just a result of the egg dying.

I did finally open the egg, but the embryo was dead.

 

[acpart]

For best results with the hobovator a proportional thermostat, rather than what it comes with, is recommended. That will help reduce the temperature variation. As you know, if the ambient temperature exceeds the incubation temperature the hobovator won't maintain the incubation temp you want. I live near Boston with no AC and when I was using the hobovator, I had to put it in the basement for the summer.

Aliza

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

If your main issue is eggs getting moldy, you're likely either keeping your incubation medium too wet. Try following the instructions here on this page, it's a great step by step for newbies: Albey's How To Incubate Leopard Gecko Eggs
Good luck!

 

[Geckobreeder]

Another reason breeders overlook is the fact breeding females are not given the proper nutrition when carrying eggs make sure females are given more calcium and the insects have a good food with amino acids

 

[daggekko]

Another problem causing the mold could be your brand of vermiculite. With eggs I've been told not to use any miracle gro products as they all contain extras for healthy plant growth.

 

[Meg]

I've completely re-vamped my incubator. I opened all my containers inside to aid in evaporating some of the moisture. All my newest containers are using a 2:1 weight ratio o f water to vermiculite. And it seems to be working. I've got 6 hatchlings right now, and i've not lost many more to mold. So I should have a bunch more in the coming weeks!

 

[Meg]

Just an update, 13 hatchlings now. Still have a few eggs not hatching, but no mold. Here is one of my newest babies.

 

[RayneTheGeckoGirl]

as a thermometer i use my dads thermometer for his humidor lol

 

[daggekko]

Congrats! Glad to see your changes working.