Help incubating crested eggs...

[damzookeeper]

I know that they do well around 81-84 degrees but I don't have an incubator set at those temps. I have leo and fattie eggs in my incubators. I incubate female rather low but so far have been successful. I have 2 incubators set up one at 78-79 degrees and the other is at about 87 (for males of course) Which would be better incubator for crestie eggs. Once I get my larger incubators built I can use the hovobators for my cresties but till then I'm stumped. I didn't think the cresties would breed this year, didn't get them ready or anything but one of my new girls is looking to lay. Can both those temps be used. I don't have much room in the lower temp incubator but I can sweeze them in if I have to. ;)
Thanks in advance.
You can also email me at deb@reptilerascals.com if you don't want to post here.

[beth wallbank]

Hey Deb.......you can successfully incubate crested eggs at room temperature without harming the eggs. They are very easy to hatch out at room temperatures, and a good hatch ratio. Just make sure to check the subtrate every few weeks to make sure there is moisture, set the container you are using up high and out of sunlight, and you will be fine.

[damzookeeper]

Thanks Beth, but does it matter if my house temps fluxuate often, cuz they are terrible for that espcially this time of year. 2 days ago temps were about 71 in here and today they are at 78. Basement temps are around 70-75 most of the time, would it be better to incubat them down there?
Thanks again. Maybe I'll catch you on msn later. ;)

[DragnDrop]

I've bred cresties and gargoyles for about 7 years, and have never used an incubator. In winter the eggs are on top of the parent's tank where temperatures fluctuate from 66-72F. In summer they're in the basement at about the same temperatures. I've never had any reason to suspect that temperature fluctuations between night and day are detrimental to the eggs - almost all the eggs hatch, it's rare to have one that doesn't.

[AnthonyC]

I wouldn't put them in either of those incubators. Room temp is fine, even if it gets into the high 60's. Although Temp Sexing hasn't been "proven" in Cresteds, I have noticed that higher temps (high 70's to low 80's) = more males.

Also, the eggs hatch faster at a constantly high temperature, but the babies are smaller and less robust than if you incubate them in the low to mid 70's.

[damzookeeper]

Thanks guys, I will incubate them in the basement temps. I don't care how long it takes to hatch as long as they are healthy and big. ;) I had just read to incubate in an incubator, glad to have this forum to ask people with experience.

[DragnDrop]

I count on it taking my cresties about 90 days to hatch. They're big and chunky, ready to tackle anything life throws at them. I also don't recall seeing big gobs of yolk left over when they hatch - looks like they stay put long enough to use it all up, which is probably why they hatch big (relatively speaking). I just had a clutch from Jan 23 hatch on April 28.

[damzookeeper]

That's awesome. I can't wait to see what the babies look like. My male and female are so nice in personality and looks. Here are some pics of the parents. ;)
proud dad.
http://www.reptilerascals.com/cg2004-03-30%20021.jpg
proud mom.
http://www.reptilerascals.com/2004-04-25%20014.jpg

How long does it usually take for them to lay. She has been in the plant pot since early this morning.

[little_dragon_]

Both of my females hung around there egg spot for about 2 to 3 days.

[beth wallbank]

room temps as Hilda said and basement if need be works great, with almost no loss of eggs what so ever. I have found that a bit of temperature fluxuation is fine. Good luck with the eggs. By the way, great looking mom and pop there......

[Leviathan]

Actually my girl is gravid right now
Mom and Pa are from Beth hehehe

[damzookeeper]

Here's a pciture of their home, if you look close you can see Sunny's tail at the top in the middle of the pic. It's not the best picture of their home but it's hard to get good picture of it where it is located in the basement. Cher ( the gravid one) is laying in the fern pot. lol, funny little girl. She has a shallow open hide in there and a deep closed hide and decided to leave both of them and go right for the potting soil in the fern. Go figure. lol.

http://www.reptilerascals.com/cg2004-03-27%20007.jpg