Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My BD just laid 32 eggs today 9/28 at 1am, and the incubator I ordered won't arrive til Tuesday, 9/30. Should I keep the eggs on a certain temp while waiting for the incubator? Should I mist the eggs so they don't dry up? Would they still make it even if they are not placed in an incubator right away? I didn't expect her to lay eggs so soon. Still new to BD and would appreciate any advice you could spare me. Thanks a lot.

ty - chuckpb

First don't turn the eggs. Don't spray the eggs.

The eggs need to be placed in a container with moist vermiculite. The vermiculite should be moist enough that you can just squeeze a bit of water out of it if you squeeze it real hard. I have heard 1:1 by weight but experience says that's too dry. The container can be a tupperware, ziplock, or deli cups. Something with an airtight lid.

I use 4 1/2" deli cups. They have (8) 1/8" predrilled holes. I cover 4 of the holes with tape. Mine come from lllreptile.com. If you use something larger you may need a few more holes but less is better. You want to hold in humidity. Fill the cups below the holes with the substrate. Make an impression so the eggs will be 1/2 submerged. Every week or so add a drop or 2 of water to keep the substrate moist. I weigh my cups and write the weight on the lids. Then I add water to get them back to the starting weight.

My suggestion would be to get them safely set up in containers and keep them in a warm place until your incubator arrives. Just be sure they can't get over 86 degrees. I would incubate them at 83-85.

When they are in the dragons body they get cool at night so you should be OK for a few days as long as they don't get dried out.