Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,I need advice in my first clutch of corn eggs.They're in an incubator at approx.82-84 deg.F and going at day 66 and haven't hatch yet.I noticed a crack on one of the eggs last friday(day 61)with some mucous leaking out so come monday (day 64) I cut open a small opening hoping to help the baby to come out but nothing has happened yet.I can see the baby corn inside but no movement noted as of yet,I wonder if it is dead.The other eggs has dents on them since last Saturday so I thought of making a small incision on each one that has a dent in them last monday(day 64) and so far nothing has happened.I'm beginning to worry if any of these eggs are ever going to hatch.I'm at a lost as to what to do next,I really need your advice as to my next move,please help.Sorry for these long narrative.Thanks in advance.

Carlo

Your eggs sound as though they're developing normally, and the denting indicates that they'll probably hatch within a few days to about a week. It's best just to leave them all alone until at least a couple of days after the first baby emerges by itself. There's no set number of days for incubation. It can be as little as 50 days, and as long as over 80 days. Generally, the cooler the temp at which they're incubated, the longer time they take to develop. Incubating them at too high a temp., in order to get them to hatch sooner, usually results in less healthy babies. So be patient.
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tricia

Hello!
The one egg sounds like it started hatching, as that is what they do, make a slit, and fluid just oozes out. Babies can take several days to hatch. And the more they are disturbed, the slower they can be, cause they feel the commotion and probably think, hey, something out there, it might eat me if I hatch out now! I tend to let nature take it's course and not bother the babies or eggs much. As long as your temps are fine and humidity is good, all should be fine. Eggs will, not always, but often dent in before hatching. Just be patient, as there isn't anything you can do even if there was trouble of some sort. Just best to sit tight and watch for that first baby crawling around.
Keep us posted!
Russell Keys
Keys Reptiles