Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok just went to turn the beardies lights out and the tank is full of eggs not sure what to do this is an unplanned event any good sites or info please help there are probally about 25 eggs

posted by Lisa OKC-how to make an incubator. or if you have a reptile store nearby they will sell them, as well parrot places etc, not sure where else, chicken places? hope this helps, im sure someone else here will have more info for you

has she been with a male? or are talking about infertile eggs? just making sure

anyhow here is the post...........

Styrofoam cooler from Walmart. $1.99
Aquarium heater from Petsmart $11.99
critter keeper from Walmart $4.00
Schultz vermiculite from nursery $3.99

Results in 64 days.....PRICELESS

I have used this homemade incubator for two years, this summer being the third, and it has worked so well that I don't even think about buying a professional incubator anymore.

I use a styrofoam cooler, put water in it (enough to cover whatever aquarium heater you have, I bought a submersible one this year so I wouldn't have to have the water level as high). I put the container holding the eggs(partially buried in vermiculite in critter keeper) on bricks and I make sure the egg container is above the water level (so it doesn't float). Put the aquarium heater in the water and start measuring the water temp. I usually keep a meat thermometer stuck in the vermiculite of one of the egg containers. I used to keep saran wrap over the egg containers, but this method keeps the humidity high enough that you don't really need to. I think I took it off last year after the eggs had been in awhile. I've still got in on the eggs I've gotten so far because, they were laid last week and I haven't gotten the incubator completely set up yet, so they're at about 75 degrees in my wet bar right now. Many people do incubate at room temperature without an incubator, but you've got to have an area in your house that stays at least in the mid 70s and you really have to make sure the eggs stay humid enough.

Is it too late to breed? I really don't know. If you have a pair, put them together and see what happens. Mine have laid as late as July and its usually 2-4 weeks after mating, so I would think it is possible.
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reiko
photos

Has she been with a male? If not, then they would be infertile. Here is one of the best links that I have found:
www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDeggs.html

If they are fertile, then you need to get them in a incubator as soon as you can. You can put them in the tank where it is about 84 degrees for the night. Just make sure nothing can get at them.
Good luck…

Do you have a male and a female? If so, this event may not have been planned, but it was inevitable. Females DO prodece infertile eggs though, just like birds. If they are really solid and round you can hold them up to a light and see if there are veins inside. There is usually a red circle inside if they are fertile. I hate to tell you, but if they have set in the tank for any time at all they are probably dead, but that is much better then your dragon being dead, which could have happened if she hadn't laid the eggs. Chances are she has been frantically trying to find a place to lay these eggs for days, but you didn't notice, so she gave up. They probably won't live since they were in the tank, what kind of substrate do you have? Eggs cannot survive temps over 89 degress for even mere minutes. If you want to give them a chance get them out of the tank on moist, not wet, paper towels in a covered container. Spend the rest of tonight reading on the internet about how to incubate eggs. Get up really early and go to a Feed Supply Store, or Livestock Supply Store, and but an incubator... Little Giant or Hovabator still air with NO eggs turners. That will run about $40. Then start saving money... it costs about $500 to get the initial setup for raising hatchlings as well as about $100 a week for food/supplements/electricity while you are raising them. You can sell them at six weeks old. Your dragon WILL lay several more clutches over the next few months. Expect 60-200 eggs. Each one of those eggs is going to turn into a hungry baby. Expect to be investing over a thousand dollars into this. Your other option is to try to find a breeder nearby that will take the eggs from you and incubate them, and in exchange for gving them to him he may give you a few of the babies. That is the best way. If you need, I can post a classified ad for you because it costs a lot to post ads here. We can find a breeder in your area who will take them, if they are fertile..

Also:

DO NOT TURN THE EGGS FROM THE POSITION THE WERE LAID IN. You will kill the egg if you turn it. It is best to lighty mark which side is up with a pencil before you move them. Do not get the eggs themselves wet, just the paper towels, you can shred the paper towels and make a nest like thing in a whip cream container. Make it moist inside, NOT WET. Let me know if you want a ad posted.
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MY Dragons!!

yes she has been housed with a male. i contacted the local breeder who i bought them from and he will incubate the eggs for me she laid a total of 20 eggs and 3 were broken so that leaves 17 incubating hopefully some will turn out thanks for all the help i will post with in any hatch

http://www.morion.com/teo/english/babies/frame-babies.html

Good Luck!

Babies

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Teo - A Bearded Dragon