Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my girl laid eggs the other night when I had no clue she was gravid. I have not unburied the eggs, and they are in her nest box under 2 heat lights. I got my incubator yesterday morn, and I am having serious problems getting the temp correct. Heres the issue: I leave for Florida Fri nite at 11 pm. Cant change this fact. My sis will be caring for eggs while Im gone, and has all directions.

Should I put water in the bottom of the incubator like the directions say?
Or should I put the containers that the eggs will be in (w/ verm.) into incubator?
Do the containers for the eggs need tops?With holes?No Holes?
I have a hovabator: the notches, from your experience, represent how much of a change in temp?(ie: 1 notch = 5 degrees, ect)My room is at 77, but area around the incu. is 80*.
I have a heat light under the incu. on a shelf, is this causing my temp problems??

PLEASE HELP!!! I am freaking out!!

Yes use lids on the containers. When they do hatch they will get out if you don't. Yes put a few air holes in the container. Don't put water in the bottom of the incubator, put it in a jar of some sort. That way you can replace it every now & then. (it's cleaner to do it that way)

Move the incubator. The temp inside the incubator is in relation to the room temp. If you have it on top of a light that is on a timer or what ever, it's going to fluctuate & that's no good. Remember, incubators can make the environment warmer but it can't make it cooler. Heat can be your enemy when incubating..

I hope that helps
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Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com

oh thank you very much, I will move the light definitly, I had a feeling that was the prob. And thanks for the jar tip, I will do that too!

Be careful moving the eggs. It's best to do it within the first couple hours of laying. Once they have settled, they start the development and the egg can not be turned.
Make sure the top stays the top.

Good luck
-----
Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com