Posted by:
rick gordon
at Mon Apr 25 12:20:16 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by rick gordon ]
doesn't sound good. Generally speaking any discoloration is bad. Fertilily is only half the battle, if the eggs aren't keeped right they may do well right up until the last day, but then fail to hatch because the embryos are too weak. Usually little bugs(soil mites) even maggots, won't attack a heathly egg, but they can so its important to keep the incubator sterile. Don't worry if you mess this one up, you'll have other chances and next time you'll be better prepared. Here are some general guide lines that will help you hatch them successfully.
1. Use a water heater type incubator.
2. incubate at 83, 82-86 is the acceptable range, but you will be most successful at 83.
3 in a tupperware or similar container mix 10 parts vermiculite to 3 parts water by volume, this is the egg substrate.
4. Dig up the eggs as soon as they are layed. Without turning them, bury them 75% of the way in the egg substrate. Make sure the points at each length of the eggs are completely buried. Discard any yellow or discolored eggs.
5. cover the eggs with a loose layer of moss.
6.Place the egg container in the incubator so as to protect the eggs from moisture. I.e. use a slanted piece of plastic as a drip guard. Humidity is good, moisture is deadly, you should avoid any water droplets from coming in contact with the eggs, this means no spraying!
7. Avoid handling, and remove any discolored eggs imediately.
8. If any flies or other creatures invade the incubator, prepare new substrate and tranfer the eggs.
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