Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I wasn't expecting my first clutch for 2 weeks. I opened one of my tubs and I have 7 eggs. I have no incubator, I wasn't planning on building one until this week (for females I knew were gravid). The eggs are on sani chips and mother is incubating them. I put in some cypress mulch around the sides of the blanket box for a little bit of humidity. The top of the eggs temps are at 82. I just got back from a week of vacation, so they could have been laid last week. I have to leave for work in 30 minutes and by the time I get off the only thing that will be open is a 24 hr walmart. Usually I am always prepared for this, but all my snakes started breeding so late. So, I thought I had time to build an incubator. Can anyone help me out.

Kyle

At this point, you might want to up the ambient air temp a bit, and let the female incubate them. I have never done that, but that is what I would do in your situation. OR, make the long drive to Eric's house

Dave

I checked the temps again.... under the eggs is at 86-87 and on the top of the eggs 82-83. The rack is set at 95. Dave, I need to incubate my own eggs, its not Erics responsibility. And I expect 3 more clutches of eggs in the next month.

Kyle

Kyle, I was obviously kidding about taking them to Eric, I just know he helped you out a few years ago or whenever you moved, with some eggs. Good luck man, how do they look?

Dave

He helped me out last year, sorry didn't get.. that you were joking. They look ok, a couple of the eggs have a little bit of windows. But other then that they look good, there a little on the small side, but they look healthy.

Kyle

I am pretty stocked up on heat tape. The only thing I can think of using at the moment is a camping cooler. One thing I forgot to mention is, I have a vision rack... so I don't know how well the heat will hold for maternal incubation. Thats why I am a little stressed. Any suggestions.

Kyle

If you leave them with the female, can you use a towel over the air holes to keep some heat in?

Dave

Not really, there are hole in the plastic shelving of the rack.

Kyle

Yeah, I have a couple of Visions too. I would lay a big bath towel over most of the holes, to keep in the heat. Might work if you say the tops of the eggs are getting cool.

Good luck man!

Dave

I put a towel over the top of the shelving before I left for work. I just got home and checked the temp of the top and the bottom side of the eggs, its staying at a good 88 now. Thanks David, that was a really good suggestions. I was freaking out earlier because its not like my old PVC racks. If I had a clutch lay in the PVC rack, I wouldn't worry to much about the temps, but since visions are a open rack they have a harder time keeping temps.

Kyle

If you have an agricultural store around, like a blue seal or something, they usually sell hovabators for pheasant and chicken eggs.
It's a temperary fix...but it should work until you can build the one you want.

Or...
look up how to make the fish tank incubator I've seen so many pics of.
All that stuff you can get at a 24 hour Walmart.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

has Hovabators in stock. I think they open at 12:00 tomorrow. Good luck!!!

Kyle, if mom will do it, I'd leave them with her for this clutch and get busy on the incubator. If you have a piece of heat tape - 3" or 4" - you can place it at one end of her tub to provide a constant source of heat. Just watch the temps. I'm not familiar with Sani-chips. Do they mold easily?

If you still have my number, you can give me a call if you need to.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Sani Chips mold pretty easy, but I just checked the temps and there staying at a good 89-90 top/bottom of the eggs. I only have larges pieces of heat tape, I don't think I have ever bought the 3" or 4" width. The mother seems to be doing a pretty good job. I am buying an upright freezer off of craigslist today and I will pick up a computer fan from radio shack tomorrow. I should have the incubator built by tomorrow at the latest.

Kyle