Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I had incubation probs with my first clutch (only 1 of 5 eggs hatched). One of my girls should be laying soon, so I I've been trying to troubleshoot my prevoious problems; and I think one issue may have been my egg container size.

Just read from the Barker's book that they recommend containers no less than 1000 cubic inches,,,,,, something like 17.3 quarts/4.33 galllons. I've searched everywhere for a good container solution for my cooler converted incubator. The best I've found are 17 qt Isis snap-lock containers, and these 2.5 gal buckets. I can only fit one Isis container, but I could fit 2 of these buckets in my incubator.(the tops of the buckets are flat, and will be flush against a glass pane)

Here's my Q: Do you think its better to split one clutch between the 2 buckets, or put them all together in the 17 qt container?

Thanks so much for any input!!!!!!!! Really appreciate it!

Who has that much room in their incubator lol? The best containers I've found that fit my needs and function perfectly with the substrateless system are Cambro clear cold food storage containers. For ball eggs they have to be the deep ones. The smaller clutches fit in the rectangular boxes and the larger fit the large square tubs. Air flow is minimal as they are designed for food, temp fluctuations are limited. They are completely stackable, and you can easily see into them. I put no holes in them and only open them to clear lid condensation the last two weeks of incubation.A little pricey new but can be found used through restaraunts going out of business in our lovely economy....

-----
Primeval-Beauty
"Finding beauty where other's fear to tread"

Good ol' Rubbermaid or Sterlite plastic shoe boxes! You're over-thinking the issue!

I would have to agree with the other posters - unless you have a walk in incubator I don't see any reason for the bigger container. I use 5.4 qt shoeboxes - can fit 12 clutches in my cooler incubator. If it's your only clutch then sure go ahead and use whatever fits - up but it can definitely be done just as efficiently in a smaller box. Congrats on the upcoming eggies.
-----
Tosha
JET Pythons

nihil facimus sed id bene facimus

NP

I have used the 9 3/4" deli cups from Superior shipping supplies for several years with good results. An 8 egg unmounded clutch will fit in the cups that are 3 3/4" tall, while larger mounded clutches will fit in the taller container. I use a Hatch rite type material, and tape all the holes shut except for 2, and I usually get great humidity levels, but that can be adjusted by sealing or unsealing the air holes as needed. What I like are the clear tubs, and the lids fit very nicely so little variation is seen in the humidity between one tub and another.