Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been breeding and hatching snakes for 30 years. This is my first attempt at lizards. The eggs are fertile (obvious emryos) but upwards of 80% are turning brown and slimy. It starts at one spot and within 24-36 hours the whole egg is covered with brown slime. This occurs at various stages of developement. I have tried reducing humidity to no avail. They are in a homemade incubator with a helix control. The temp fluctuates between 84.9 and 85.1. I calibrated and regularly check with a very accurate referance thermometer. Eventually fungus appears but only 5-7 days after the brown slime. Has anyone else encountered this problem? All theories would be appreciated.
Thanks!!!

first off, does the incubator or container yyou use to incubate in have airholes? what type of incubation media are you using? also, how old are the animals being bred? and are they getting all the correct nutrition? gutloaded bugs, calcium, pinks occarionally?
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-robin day
Geckoheads And Geeks

They are 2 years old, 60 to 80g. I use course vermiculite 6 parts to 4 parts water by weight. I feed only mealworms raised on chicken feed 22% protein and antibiotic free. I keep a constant supply available. I provide a calcium "lick". The incubator has no holes but is opened daily. The egg containers have holes. I started with very small holes but enlarged them because I thought air circulation might be a problem. The containers are also opened daily for a quick inspection. The eggs are coming from three breeding groups of 1.4 each. Eggs from all three groups are exhibiting the same "symptoms". Those that have hatched have produced healthy babies and they are all doing well. I know the diet is somewhat controversial but (so far) believe the experience of Robbie Hamper, Al Zulich, and the famously infamous Ron Tremper shows that it can be used successfully. I really appreciate your quick reply. I've been trying to deal with this for 3 months now without success.

I'm only just beginning to manage eggs myself, but I don't think the problem has to do with the quality of the eggs or the diet of your leos. My guess is that the vermiculite is too moist. You could try switching the medium to a perlite-vermiculite mix. I use perlite by itself with .8 water by weight added and haven't had any problems so far.
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

I've seen setups where the lids of the containers sag in the middle, and the humidity buildup grew toward the middle of the lid and fell on the eggs... you could try moving the eggs away from the middle of the container. This may not be the case, but what's the harm?

Kev
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Kev
1.1.0 Tang Leopard Geckos: Marley, Mary
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko: Toad
0.1.0 Colombian Rainbow Boa: Rambo
1 Beta: Malificent
0.1.0 Tri Australian Shepard: Nelly

LOTS of breeders, including myself, are having similar problems this year. I have not been able to determine the root cause other than it is just "one of those years" thus far. I lost one egg (looked to be a PA) about 2 days before its clutchmate hatched (NOT a PA!).

Let me know if you figure it out.

BTW, I would throw some old fashioned oatmeal in with the mealies. They LOVE it. The cheapo brands are just fine.

Steven

My 1st clutch died like you describe.

I changed two things.

1. I started using the abey method of incubation.
http://www.albeysreptiles.com/incubate-eggs.htm

2. I changed the box I was using so that condensation will not build in the middle of the box and drip down from any ridges directly onto the eggs.

I have an air tight box with a hole cut in the top and a flat thermometer glued into the hole so that it creates an air tight seal. This gives me a good internal temp reading.

Since I changed these things I have never had a problem and my last 8 clutchs have all hatched. I personally suspect that you are using alittle to much water or maybe the container you are using might be dripping on the eggs.