Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering how many people absolutely cut eggs every season and on or about day 55?

My clutch is ready to go and the little ones are moving I can see the eggs shift a bit and two eggs have windows where I can see I have pastels and they actually are eye up to the window, but it is only day 49. I wouldn't do this for a few more days, but should I cut them out? or will they with out doubt cut themselves out in a week?

I don't want them to drown at all in the egg they seem very active but I guess I am nervous to do it.

Any advice on how to do this? I haven't seen any reall instructions on how to cut them out or how big to make the cuts.

Thanks in advanced

To answer your question...no, it's not necessary. I think the thought is that occasionally a healthy baby will be unable to cut its own way out of the egg, leading to a full term baby dead in the egg. I'm not sure that anyone can say for sure that those full term dead in eggs would have made it out alive had they been cut.

Here's what I do...

I'll wait until the first baby pips. After the first baby has pipped, I'll wait an additional 24 hours or so. If there are any babies that have not yet pipped on their own, I'll cut them at that point. Often I'll cut an egg, only to find the baby cuts its own hole somewhere else.

A small pair of curved cuticle scissors work great. I just cut a tiny v-shaped inscision in the top of the egg, being careful to just barely go beneath the surface. Some people try to pinch the egg shell away from the egg before cutting, to make sure they don't nick a baby. Wait a while, and just be careful if you decide to cut them...
Joe Pociask