I have decided that after 8 years of breeding and being pretty much shackled to my breeders through the summer, that this is THE year that I have decided to not let my laying females schedule when and for how long I go on vacation. So, I have decided to throw caution to the wind and allow my females to take care of their own eggs until I decide to return.
That said,
I have read a few sites that touch on maternal incubation but most of them are for (and by) the hobbyist who doesn't have the type of set-up that many medium/large scale breeders run.
My questions:
1. Brooding female can increase both the temperature and humidity to maintain perfect conditions for their eggs, but cannot lower either. If this is the case, what type of modifications would I need to do to a rack-type enclosure to ensure that the female is working with a good base:
Rubbermaid #2221 (16"X6"X23" bin
large water dish (3 quarts/6 liters)
Unprinted newspaper bedding
90 degree (temp-gunned) warm side
80-82 (also temp-gunned) cool side
60-65% relative humidity
Adequate air circulation

Would I need to modify any of these husbandry issues to allow the female to do her job for the week or two that I will be absent?
Any insights would be appreciated as the literature I've found was lacking.
Thanks in advance.
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www.strictlyballs.ca

[ Hide Replies ]

• Maternal incubation - mykee, Mon Jun 28 15:05:02 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - pitoon, Mon Jun 28 16:39:11 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - djslurp1200, Mon Jun 28 16:58:54 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - WALL2WALLREPTILE, Mon Jun 28 17:06:06 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - WALL2WALLREPTILE, Mon Jun 28 17:17:58 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - JYohe, Mon Jun 28 18:45:52 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - AllBalledUp, Mon Jun 28 20:29:25 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - Pitoon, Tue Jun 29 02:34:20 2010
• RE: Maternal incubation - mykee, Tue Jun 29 09:46:51 2010