Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok... I arrived at home last night to find one of the 277 had layed 1 egg. It was pointed a bit at one end. Now almost 24 hours later and no other eggs have come out. Probably about 10 more /- in there. How long do you wait to shoot mineral oil and or aspirate eggs. If you have to aspirate, what gauge of needle do you utilize?

Thanks for reading and your help.

Best Wishes,

Steven Owens

Hey Steve,

I am not sure if this is the case with your female, but I have had females lay one or two dud eggs a few days prior to laying a viable clutch..

I would give it a day or two and she has not moved the remaining eggs then begin considering other options.

~ Mike Russo

Steve, I have had it happen where they will drop a dud and a day or two later drop the rest. If there is a problem with binding it usually will happen with only one or two of the last eggs,only so be patient.

Jim

My female got two stuck, I gave her almost a 10 days before I aspirated and everything went great.

Use a 18-22 gauge needle and a nice big syringe.

James Sfregola

I have a corn snake that started laying good eggs, almost one a day. She still has 7 to go. In the past I have had them lay a couple duds before laying the rest of the clutch a few days later, but never an egg or two every day or two. As others have said, I would wait until she has laid most of the clutch to see if she is egg bound. Also, I think in the past I have used a 14 ga needle to aspirate. The bigger it is the easier to get the yoke and white out.

Mike
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South Texas Herps

I've used 12 gauge needles to aspirate with good success. I agree with the guys that it is prudent to wait a few days, unless the female is obviously in distress.

for your help. looks as if the eggs are coming now. We did use some mineral oil so hopefully that helped a bit.

Best Wishes,

Steven

That's good to hear Steve.. Somtimes patients pays off!

Good luck with incubation!

~ Mike Russo