Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys I think I might have messed up already with one of my eggs. I am so bummed right now.

The problem was that the egg was a little close to the heat-bar in the incubator.

I mean there was a lot of clearance it was not anywhere near where I thought it could do damage.

But obviously it was drying the air out enough that it caused the egg to dent in pretty good. The humidity was fine as none of the other eggs are dented in at all.

So last night I had to move the entire clutch so delicatly. I gently shifted the cluth more to the center of the incubator. Now the eggs are almost centered.

Would have done this at the start but because of the placement of the snap switch in the center of the hovabator it was hard to get the eggs in the center. Without the risk of the snap switch/waffer hitting the eggs when the lid is placed on.

I setup another hovabator last night incase I get another clutch. Turns out the redesigned the inside of it, and they now have the waffer/snap switch in the corner of the lid, instead of right in the middle.

I only wish I knew that, I would have used the other hovabator and none of this damage would have been done.

I am SO SICK about this, is there anything I can do for this egg? Do you think I damaged the egg?

Even with the humidity quite high after finding this, the egg has not come back to its normal shape.

Today is day 7 in the incubator.

Man when I get done working with this batch of eggs, whether they hatch or not, I'm going to have some nice new patches of grey hair.

Dampen down a thick tissue and place it over the top of the egg. Change the paper daily until the egg recovers back to its normal position. It should be ok.
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Regards
Chris Jones
Chris Jones Reptiles
Sand Boa Forum

...of the picts it is impossible to tell if the egg was adversely affected. I use hovabators but I put the eggs in Phillips brand clear plastic shoeboxes (flatter than Rubbermaids or Sterilites by a 1/2" or so) about half buried in moistened vermiculite, and THIS box goes in the hovabator. I put just four 1/8" holes in each end of the shoebox. This provides a more stable environment around the eggs. I have 5 hovabators cooking eggs now, 2 of which have fans. Both seem to work equally well but I make certian to always have water in the bottom troughs. I lay several layers of paper towels dipping into the troughs which act as wicks to help increase the humidity surrounding the egg boxes. I periodically add a few ml's (= cc's) of bottled water to the egg chambers as well. This system works well for me.
Only time (several days to a week or so) will tell if the egg is OK. Good Luck!
Scott J. MIchaels DVM

I put a very thin pience of paper towel that was wet with warm water over the egg. It was actually half ply since I peeled it from the first layer. It's nice and thin.

The egg won't suffercate with this will it? I will change it once a day even though it could prob go a few days in between?

Maybe the change once a day is to prevent and change of bacteria?

...better to have at least a double layer - won't dry out quite as fast. Actually several layers would be better. Don't worry on the bacteria, or mold spores, but don't use the outer 2 pieces of paper towel from the roll (ie, remove 2 sheets, then use the next 2 sheets).

Again if possible find a suitable-sized egg box, carefully place the eggs inside, half bury the eggs in moist vermiculite, and place the egg box in the hovabator.

Don't need to change the paper towels daily, only about once/week. Healthy eggs are remarkably resistant to infections, due to maternal immunity intrinsic to the eggs.

Good Luck!
SJM

Damon,
Did you candle them? Infertile eggs will start to dimple after about a week. I tested a few infertile eggs I got this season, and they all started dimpling between 5-8 days after being laid. Also Two years ago I had a WC female lay a clutch for me, I estimate it to be around 4 days after she laid I found them. They were all dimpling really bad I set up the egg tub as usual except I covered the eggs completely with vermiculite for the first two days, they all came back to normal shape and hatched out some beauties. So don't give up hope! Just candle it if it's yellow it's infertale, and there is nothing you can do. If it's pink with veins, then you should have no problem, just put damp paper towels on it or try to push more vermiculite around it up the sides a little. Good Luck!

Jay Cassidy
cavemanreptiles.com

actually...they look normal to me?????

I am hatching some right now...from eggs that were alot dryer and dented than those........

........get a taller incubater box bottom??????

...........

grilled ball ......mmmmmmmmmmmmm......with mayo........
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