Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is a closeup shot of the HET albino eggs. Today is day 41 into incubation at 89 degrees.

You can see in the photo that there are 2 eggs that sorta got cooked from the heating element in the hovabator, (my fault bad placement of the eggs in the incubator).

The two eggs on top of the clutch were the ones that suffered the most.

The one on the left was the one that got it the worst. It has never recovered, and has looked this way since day 6 into incubation.

Also the one to the right with the little stripe dents also has not changed since day 6.

Do you think from the photos, and the fact that I am at day 41, there may still be a good chance for a healthy baby?

Should I wait for the first egg to pip? Can I cut a small cut in the eggs on a certain day no matter what?

I don't want to put anyone on the spot, but Corey told me that he cuts his eggs on day 52. This sounds like a good plan, as I don't want to risk losing any babies, if they hatch.

This is my first clutch, I want these babies SO DAMN bad, I do not want to take any chances on losing ANY of them.

Been trying to get snake eggs for 10-years already from Corns, to Burms, and now finally ball pythons. So you can see how much I need this to work.

Thanx so much.

Damon,
Those top two eggs still look good to me. Just becuase they are a little dented in does not mean much. The fact that they are growing, still white, and not molding at all, points to them being healthy eggs. As for cutting the eggs, I know the excitement can be insane, but I would let the first baby pip before cutting any eggs. This way you KNOW that the babies are ready to come out. If your trying to see if you have any albinos, start candling them now, you might be surprised!!

Jason

.... Afraid I will drop the flashlight or something.. That would result in one instant heart-attack, resulting in me falling face first into the entire clutch

From what I can see, the eggs look fine - my flat screen does not always display colors properly but I really don't see anything wrong.

At this point, let them keep incubating. The Hovabator does not keep consistent temps. So I would not rely on a specific number of days. Just watch them. If they don't pip somewhere around days 55-60, you may want to manually pip them.

I know it's hard, but resist the temptations.
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Jay A. Martin

I'm not using the hovabator's built in waffer thermostat.

Instead I have the waffer turned up very high (so it does not shut off on it's own). I have the Helix DPS-1000 hooked up with the probe centered in the air between the eggs.

It seems to be keeping the temp in the hovabator a steady 89 degrees. I hope with this setup the temps are steady.

Not sure how good the built in waffer thermostat works since I never used it.

PS I just cleaned the windows in the hovabator, the water was so heavy, so that is why the windows are clear.

I hope Jay meant the hovabator does not maintain steady temps with it's built in waffer thermostat, otherwise I am starting to worry again. You know how bad I am.

Listen, those eggs look great, don't sweat it. Cooked dead eggs look like a rainbow mess (unfortunately I know from experience). Eggs can be slit incredibly early in the process but if i were you I would wait until they pipp on their own ... I know it's difficult but breath deeply and have patience.

Hey, you have 2 helix thermostats on that one unit???

Ben

.

just relax at this point. I bet they pip around day 54!
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Jay A. Martin

....

???????cooked eggs....wonder how many times we gotta tell you they are fine and they will probably hatch...

cut them if you want to risk more problems.

let them cut themselves if you do the right thing...

have fun..

eggs look better than alot of mine.....and mine are fine......
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people???.........people are stupid.........
really???......really.........

NP
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Mark Kennedy Reptiles

..
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CB

"expertise is measured by time, but never 100% correct"

first timers..worry worry worry.....

wait till he loses thousands in snakes and all..$$$$$$$

he won't give a darn anymore about it........

.....drop in box....breed...drop in box..they hatch...
.

(hey dude..((Chad)).......I am going away agin tonight.....I get you food soon.....I didn't get home till almost 12 last night....sorry....everyone waits till the last minute....)

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people???.........people are stupid.........
really???......really.........

You can cut the eggs if you want, cuz it will not hurt at day 52 to do so, but they should be fine either way. I have cut eggs 2 weeks before anticipated hatch date, and they were fine. Just let them go and post pics of the babies when they are all out.
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CB

Damon,

The eggs look fine...........they should hatch.

I cut all my eggs......everyones different. Never had a problem cutting eggs......been doing it since 2000. After this season I've cut close to 800 eggs.

Corey

Congrats on the beautiful clutch. I've never seen a guy so maternal before. I'm encouraging it. I can't wait till I have eggs of my own to fuss over. Just think guys, this is me next year. ::giggle::
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Violette Garcia
www.shakahnsgrove.com (Coming Soon!)
Yes I know it's in webmaster's 'shop'.

His fretting loses a little appeal after the second year or so of listening to it! Good luck Damon. I would not cut the eggs at day fifty-two...you'll drive yourself nuts when they don't do anything for four or five days...wait till 55 or 56. Just my two cents...

Christy

Do you have any form of medication in the house? I suggest you take it!

Now do me a favor. Get real close to your computer. Closer. Closer.

LEAVE THE FREAKIN EGGS ALONE!!!!!! THEY ARE FINE!!!!!

MJ

or

Damon,

What a shame that 2 of the eggs are cooked. They were probably albinos. The other 2 will likely be hets...males. Oh well better luck next decade.

MJ
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www.ballpython.ca

who cares cause it sure was funny.......a lil laugh at poor Damon's expense

Keep them as pets as you have no business in breeding.

>>Keep them as pets as you have no business in breeding.

Damon probably spends more time, money and effort than anybody on his animals. He's a worry-wort but that's because he cares. I think he's going to do very well breeding BPs.
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JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.