Laybox 24-7 for females?

[XoVictoryXo]

My question:
Should all female geckos have access to a laybox 24-7?
I mean should they always have the option to lay infertile eggs because it could happen at anytime? or, how often do they normally ovulate?
Or is a laybox only necessary during the rare periods when you notice the signs of them ovulating?
Egg-bound is a very scary condition- so Id like to use all precaution! although having cocodirt in the tank is also not ideal for a constant substrate in the tank because they can eat it. When i look up this info i find conflicting theories, so Id like to know what the majority of leo parents do.

 

[Leopardgeckos101]

Yes you should offer a lay box 24/7 because she might lay when your gone or asleep. Cause I went on a 5 month cruise and I had 4 baby leopard geckos crawling around I would show pictures but they were on my old phone

 

[XoVictoryXo]

My female mated "accidentally" last year.
but there is def no mating going on any longer, or ever again, so it would all be infertile eggs. and I think its a rare occurrence for them to actually lay infertile eggs during ovulation.
So my question is basically for ALL female geckos who arent even mating at all.

 

[Mardy]

If you use coco fiber (ecoearth), it can double up as their moist hide/laybox. So yes, you should have a laybox available for females, but you don't necessarily need something totally different from a moist-hide. Having a laybox will give your females a place to lay if they need to lay infertile eggs. I haven't seen any impaction issues with coco fiber. If they accidentally ingest them, which is rare, they pass them out no problem. The same can't be said about moss however. When preparing the laybox just run your hand through the coco fiber and pick out any chunks, threads, or thick items.

Female leopard geckos are going to ovulate every year, usually between January and August. So anytime during the breeding season they could develop eggs. And while the eggs are often re-absorbed, they do need to lay them sometimes. That's why having a suitable laybox will help prevent egg-bound issues because females can try to hold the eggs in if they can't find a good place to lay.

Most leopard geckos love coco fiber, so you should have no trouble getting your geckos to use them as their moist-hide substrate. It can double up as a laybox when/if they need to lay eggs, fertile or infertile.

 

[acpart]

My layboxes also double as moist hides and both the males and females enjoy it, especially on hot summer days.

Aliza

 

[XoVictoryXo]

OK cool. Thanks guys! Im going to replace the paper towel in the moist hide with cocodirt. Im guessing you have to replace it pretty often due to bacteria.

 

[Mardy]

Some change them off every few weeks, some go for a month or two before changing.

When you buy coco fiber they come in bricks, so you'll have plenty to use before you run out. Those lil bricks soak up and expand to be like a shoebox size lol.

 

[cricket4u]

OK cool. Thanks guys! Im going to replace the paper towel in the moist hide with cocodirt. Im guessing you have to replace it pretty often due to bacteria.

I only provide it for the female and toss it weekly. I just don't feel comfortable leaving it any longer. I buy the bags so that I don't have to add water until I'm using it.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

I have the loose type too. Zoo med eco earth. and- Man it sure is messy usually ends up all around the tank lol. Im glad its cheap!

 

[Mardy]

That's usually not a problem if you have a moist hide with top-side entrance. This will reduce the amount of coco fiber being kicked around.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

anytime I tried a top entrance my leo's dont go inside but that is a great idea!