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First Clutch Ever!! Pics!!

Euclid May 11, 2005 12:45 PM

Well she finally did it!! Yesterday...May 10th....right on schedule....8 eggs total.....5 good ones and 3 slugs.... :D I'm so proud!

Here's a couple pics.....

Dad

Mom

Here's one of the clutch.....please let me know if you notice any mistakes or have a tidbit of advice....4 of the good eggs and 1 of the slugs were glued together in the clutch....with 2 slugs and one good egg seperated....mom was wrapped around everything.....

....a couple questions.....should I just take the slugs out? I'm pretty sure that I should....but I left them in, just in case.....what about the one that's glued to the clutch?? ....and I'm slightly worried about the way I've nested the eggs in the incubation box......one egg is on top and cannot be touching the vermiculite unless the other 3 good eggs below it are nearly buried....any advice here?? Does it look okay the way I've got it??

And here's a pic of my homebuilt incubator....don't worry about the temp.....it goes down when I open it of course, but it stays at 89.7 plus or minus 0.3....

It is a square cooler with the heating element of a hovabator installed into the lid....

Please let me hear any advice or problems you notice...if you can spare the time....I'd really appreciate it....

:D :D :D

Replies (7)

bps516 May 11, 2005 12:53 PM

np
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

jmartin104 May 11, 2005 01:06 PM

I'm assuming you will have a lid on the container.

I would take the slugs out. At least the two you can get to. The one on the bottom should be fine if you decide to leave it.

It's ok if the egg is not touching the vermiculite. As long as you maintain adequate humidity. I would uncover the other eggs just a bit so you can visually monitor them. It's hard to see any issues (too wet, too dry, etc.) if they are covered.

Have you verified the temperature gauge? I have found that model to vary by at least 1 degree. Also, ensure it has new batteries.

Have fun and congrats!
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Euclid May 12, 2005 10:07 AM

Thanks Jay...

I do have to monitor the temperatures daily....my thermometer keeps track of the daily high and low temperature fluctions...so I can see how stable the temps inside the incubator are without opening it. I have a laser temp gun that reads surface temperatures....it seems to be right within a couple tenths of the incubator's thermometer which reads air temperature.

The slugs are coming out....I was pretty sure they ought to anyway.... What do you think about trying to seperate the slug that's attached? Would slide dental floss between them work? I think I'll take your advice and leave it there for now....but I am a little worried about that one.

Thanks for the reply Jay....I might wait a couple more days, but I think I'll probably take your advice and uncover the eggs a little bit too..

jmartin104 May 12, 2005 10:20 AM

>>The slugs are coming out....I was pretty sure they ought to anyway.... What do you think about trying to seperate the slug that's attached? Would slide dental floss between them work? I

Just be very careful if you go this route.

Good luck!
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Euclid May 12, 2005 10:26 AM

livingartreptile May 11, 2005 07:20 PM

Hi,

congratulation and good job! Take care.

Best Wishes,

Tony Pappalardo

Living Art Reptiles

coldthumb May 12, 2005 07:58 PM

This is my first year for eggs as well.It's even more exciting than expected isn't it?!

Congrats and good luck to you.
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Charles Glaspie

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