Incubating

[Zoe]

I have an hovabator ready, but I don't know if it's tall enough to hold a container full of eggs. Sooo I was wondering, would it be okay to fill the bottom of the incubator with vermiculite and just put the eggs on that??

Thanks!
Zoe

[Mardy]

Hey Zoe,
You should be fine as long as the eggs are not stuck in a big mass. For some extra hight you can get a fish box(some are the same size as a hovabator)just cut the bottom out and use it in the middle of your hovabator. They do sell a Hovabator height extender ring $29.99 from Berry Hill go to WWW.BerryHillLimited.com for details. They deliver quickly.
Sorry I have not or don't know anybody who has put the vermiculite on the bottom. But I would figure you would have to put a couple of holes low on the sides to replace the holes from the bottom of the incubator. That could mind you lead to drying of the closest eggs to the holes??? just some ideas

All the best with those eggs.

MArdy

[JKUROSKI]

If you put the eggs directly inside the hovabator without an inside container to control humidity, your clutch mortality will be greatly increased. I speak from experience on this one. Either get some foam insulation and make an expansion ring or buy one. What's her lay window...how's she looking? Is she cruising allot?


Other definate tools needed would be:

A digital thermometer for measuring exact inside temps (within egg chamber).
A water bottle small enough to fit inside the incbator for adding humidity (spray on substrate, not eggs)
Preferably a scale to weight the beginning weight (Container, incubation medium/water 1:1 by weight, eggs) and add needed water.

[Zoe]

Hi,
She should lay any day now, it's been 25 days since her shed. She moves around a fair bit, usually perching on top of her hidebox. The rest of the time she is in her hide. She is HUGE! And very irritable.

Can you seperate the eggs? I mean aren't they usually layed in a big pile?

Thanks
Zoe

[JKUROSKI]

Probably too late now...but yes they can be seperated. It's not for the first time breeder though (scary). They come apart fairly easy at first, but as the liquid drys it becomes more difficult and will leave tears on the eggs surface.