I posted this question a little while ago and was asked by several people to keep them updated so here goes. I've got opinions from both sides of the fence. This was my first clutch and I really didn't wanna screw this up. My intentions were to let them pip on their own, but when they hit day 60/61 with no pipping I began to get nervous particularly because one of the eggs looked completely collapsed. More than just what appeared to me to be dimpling. Would they have eventually pipped on their own, probably, but I decided to cut them. And the result, 4 apparently healthy babies. All seem to be doing fine, 2 of them are already heading into their first shed. They are all normals, nothing special, only to us. Thanks to Heat and David K. for the advice. In the future I'll still try and let them pip on their own but if those nerves start to set in again, who knows.
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To cut, or not to cut - update
Replies (4)
Congrats on the new additions to the family!!
Aren't they just adorable.
Lee Van Hyfte
if they are not pipping...you need to adjust your temps...i had an early clutch take 67 days...i increased the temps and a clutch starting pipping yesterday on day 60...I have other incubators that are perfect with pipping starting on day 57.
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Michael Enriquez
out of curiousity, what temps were yours at before you increased your temps to 'encourage' pipping? and what temp did you increase it too?
Without these facts it makes your suggestion rather dangerous for newbies...who may raise temps too much and end up killing the clutch.
I also feel all the eggs will pip fine on their own 90% or more of the time, but it seems so many ball python breeders just won't let the babies have a chance...and some who do cut their eggs, the babies cut their own spot anyway.
If its just impatience that causes ball python breeders to cut eggs..makes me wonder what they do with boas...
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PHLdyPayne
Thats AWSOME 
Major congrats!!! See...it wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be cutting them open huh?....I was SUPER nervous my first time, but after the first time...its not that big a deal...I have 3 more weeks to go before I take a peek at mine...
Major Congrats on a Beautiful Healthy Cluth...All the best
David
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com
