Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just saw this new product called "Hatchrite" that is used as a medium for incubating reptile/snake eggs and was wondering if anyone has used it before? And how does it compare with the usual Perlite or vermiculite? Comments?

Thanks,

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RAY - "Laziness is nothing more than a habit of resting before getting tired!"

from what i hear its like a miracle,no scales or nothing,just dump the eggs and incubate.i would try it.

well, i would try it only if there are other people's testimonials that it does work. I don't want to risk eggs from high end specimens without guaranteeing for sure that it does work. The old fashioned Perlite Vermiculite has worked very well for me over the years but am open to trying this new one if I can see a lot of positive feedbacks from other users.

Thanks,

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RAY - "Laziness is nothing more than a habit of resting before getting tired!"

Last year, I used Big Apple Herps glitter grade vermiculite that came with the incubator I got from them. It worked pretty well. This year is the first time that I have ever heard of the other stuff. I read all the mags and a lot of the forums. Until recently, I haven't heard of the stuff. I'd like to know what is in it. Their website doesn't give any clues as to what is in it. Derek

ant-fungal property, and maintained all the other good characteristics of perlite/vermiculite, it probably wouldn't be worth the premium to me........I've always had a VERY good hatch ratio when using vermiculite. But I do know, that MANY people DO NOT mix the two correctly, and is a huge determining factor in hatching success!!....I've never had any fungus issues to speak of either, as too much moisture without enough ventilation will certainly make fungus more likely(as well as swelling the egg and drowning the embryo).......then you have the other side of the spectrum, with eggs being too dry and shriveling up!!....but if it is like the other guy said,...all premixed with correct moisture content, just dump & go, I suppose it might be better for some,......also, for people that incubate on a very large scale, if you didn't have to maintain it at all, I could see a definite advantage!!,.....I guess we'll all find out soon enough if it is a great performer!!...........................Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Ray,
I was going to post the same question about that hatch rite stuff.Sounds pretty good and I would guess they have tested it.

I have always used vermeculite with varried results.

Shannon

Yeah, sounds good (emphasis on the word "sounds". I guess I am just very concerned about trying out it for the first time with eggs that come from high-end hondurans that could end up in disaster. That's why I am hoping that some people had actually tried it and will attest to its success rate. We'll just have to wait and see this season for people who are brave enough to try it.

Thanks,
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RAY - "Laziness is nothing more than a habit of resting before getting tired!"

I will try it but at first will try with gecko eggs or beardies (kids stuff) and then try with some siniloans or pueblans.

Shannon

Shannon, I will live vicariously through you on this issue and ask your input later this season. The gecko eggs and sinaloan eggs are for sure a good starting point to test it.

Thanks,
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RAY - "Laziness is nothing more than a habit of resting before getting tired!"

will do,
I should have some gecko eggs in about a month.one of the beardies just laid 22 eggs yeasterday but I don't have the stuff yet.I will be ordering it soon.
Shannon

I have a few bags they gave me at Daytona in Aug. but I haven't opened it. Kinda feels like it has perlite in it, but I dunno.
I'll most likely give it a try since it was gratis and maybe just hold it for those "unexpected" clutches that surprise me now and then. Sometimes I'm out of town and I could have it handy for my sitter to easily transfer any clutches he finds when I'm not there to prep the boxes myself.
They could use a better proofreader though for their packages and ads....
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

It's good to see that i am not the only one thinking about giving HatchRite a try. I guess the advertisment they posted up is working!!

It's funny i have been using course vermiculite (also with varied success) forever and just to check it out i was thinking about using HatchRite in one of my boxes this year.. Although, it is rather pricey compaired to vermiculite if the only difference is that it's pre-mixed with water??

I think they should send all of us a free bag or two, if it woks well for us this year just imagine the endorsment they would get!!

~ Mike