I have decided that after 8 years of breeding and being pretty much shackled to my breeders through the summer, that this is THE year that I have decided to not let my laying females schedule when and for how long I go on vacation. So, I have decided to throw caution to the wind and allow my females to take care of their own eggs until I decide to return.
That said,
I have read a few sites that touch on maternal incubation but most of them are for (and by) the hobbyist who doesn't have the type of set-up that many medium/large scale breeders run.
My questions:
1. Brooding female can increase both the temperature and humidity to maintain perfect conditions for their eggs, but cannot lower either. If this is the case, what type of modifications would I need to do to a rack-type enclosure to ensure that the female is working with a good base:
Rubbermaid #2221 (16"X6"X23") bin
large water dish (3 quarts/6 liters)
Unprinted newspaper bedding
90 degree (temp-gunned) warm side
80-82 (also temp-gunned) cool side
60-65% relative humidity
Adequate air circulation
Would I need to modify any of these husbandry issues to allow the female to do her job for the week or two that I will be absent?
Any insights would be appreciated as the literature I've found was lacking.
Thanks in advance.