Crestie Laid An Egg

[Revasius]

My female crestie laid an egg this morning, and I didn't even know she was pregnant! I don't have an incubator set up yet... What can I do in the meantime?

Thanks!

 

[CrestedRick]

Leave to egg buried or in the tank. They usually lay two at a time. Has she been with a male? Females will lay without mating but its roughly on her body so make sure you check her calcium sacs or you can mate her but if you don't want eggs I'd avoid it.

 

[Revasius]

I had removed the egg (since it wasn´t buried), and placed it in a small container filled with moistened eco earth. Yes, she does live with a male, but they´re in my room and I didn´t hear them mating... I do want eggs, this was just unexpected. If her calcium sacs are depleated, should I give her additional calcium + d3? (They do not have a UVB light).

 

[CrestedRick]

Best thing is to use super hatch and get a egg try organizer to keep the eggs out of direct contact with the media. I didn't hear mine mate and all of a sudden bam eggs in July and they hadn't been together since February

 

[Revasius]

Update: I searched the cage and did not find a second egg. I have added a lay box for her to use, I attempted to check her calcium sacs, but I couldn't get her to open her mouth. Should I give her extra calcium + D3 anyway? They're on a strict diet of Repashy CGD only, no crickets.

 

[Aimless]

I would not give her extra calcium at this point. if she's still throwing clutches in 5-6 months, then yes. and make sure her laybox media is nice and deep.

 

[Revasius]

Okay, thanks! She now has a medium-size Tupperware container with] 1.5-2 inches of eco earth for laying. Here are some close-ups of the eggs... . We're planning on using organic perlite as our incubation material.

 

[Hilde]

We're planning on using organic perlite as our incubation material.

Perlite is made from obsidian, an amorphous volcanic glass (though not glass like we're used to for windows and dishes). It expands when heated, and the particles pop like corn. It's naturally about as organic as you can get. Some manufacturers sell "regular" perlite as well as "organic" perlite, charging extra for the organic version. Don't fall for that ploy, it's just another way to get some more money from you.
Since it's used for gardening, make sure they didn't add any fertilizers or chemicals, other than that, even the cheapest is organic.

 

[Aimless]

I'd go deeper than 2 inches on the laybox, myself

 

[Revasius]

I'll modify it! Thanks for the advice.