To cut, or not to cut. Help appreciated!

[Matt K]

Hello there! I'm in a bit of a pickle and would love some input from all of you BP.netters. My first and longly anticipated clutch of Ball Python eggs is on day 54; the clutch was incubated at ~88 degrees. Starting on the 10th, day 62, I'm going to be away for 4 days.

I'm on the fence about whether to cut the eggs on Friday (day 56), or wait until the first one pips, hopefully before day 62. My thought is that if I cut on day 56, I could at least keep an eye on the eggs for about a week and troubleshoot any issues that may or may not arise. The problem is that 88 degrees is a little on the low side, and day 56 is a bit early to cut at that temperature. As this is my first ball clutch, I also have zero experience cutting eggs (though I'm honestly not worried about it). It's my hope that cutting on day 56 would mean the snakes are out by the time I leave. I should also note here that some of the eggs are pretty darn dimpled, one in particular that started deflating about a week and a half ago is almost alarmingly so.

Not cutting could mean one of two things. Either the eggs don't pip by the time I leave and I'm not sure of the status of the eggs (i.e. if there are any remediable problems with them), or they do and I cut the rest of the clutch. This worries me because, again, I won't be able to troubleshoot any issues with the freshly cut eggs. It seems preferable to me, however, to allow the snakes the time to pip on their own. I'd rather be confident that they are fully developed and ready to exit their eggs before cutting into them.

So after that long winded spiel, the question is--to cut, or not to cut? I know ultimately it is my decision, but I'd love to get some opinions either way. I'll throw up a poll, but any further insight on why you chose what you did would be very appreciated. Thanks for your time and input guys and gals!

Cheers,
-Matt

[trcmustang]

Hey Matt,

I don't think this will answer your question but I did go through pretty much the same dilemma last year that you are having now so I thought to reply.

Out of a 6 egg clutch, 5 pipped on their own in a timely manner. (Sorry I don't recall the incubation day and I wish I would because I also incubate my eggs at 88 degrees). Anyways, there was one left to pip and I was leaving for vacation in two days. So I decided to cut the remaining egg. (Also my first time doing it. Not to difficult BTW). The little bugger was out and scooting around the egg tub the very next day after I snipped.

So here is my opinion... If you would rather have them pip on their own, don't cut the eggs until you absolutely have to. From my experience, it only takes the babies a few days to come out of the eggs after they pipped.

Hope this helps just a little. Keep us posted on what you decide to do and how it turns out. Just curious.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I would personally find it odd if you didn't have one pip by then but then again, I've always had one pip by day 55 incubating at 98•.

If you don't cut and there is a problem, you could end up with babies in trouble. If you do cut and there is a problem you're in the same boat.

Honestly, I'd wait until the last night before you leave and then make your decision. If none have pipped but they candle good with veins and movement, then I'd cut a small flap just to be sure all babies can make it out.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

What the heck?? I don't know what the "•" stuff at the end of my last post is but it was a degree dot originally.. Lol! I didn't notice it in time to edit it out.

[Matt K]

Thanks for the votes and advice guys! Haha, it's still such a tough call. Any more input would be very welcomed at this point. Thanks again everyone!

Cheers,
-Matt

[Matt K]

Grrrr--still not sure what to do about this. I was thinking of cutting the severely dimpled egg, but I know if I do I'm just going to cut the rest of them, lol. That one egg looks like it needs some attention though. It started dimpling from the side, rather than the top, and by day 45 it was easily half it's normal size horizontally. I'm pretty sure that hatchling is going to be deformed, but I guess we'll see. Hrmmmmm...

Cheers,
-Matt

[RichsBallPythons]

I cut everything by day 45-50. Nothing will harm them as long as your not making sun roofs. Just small enough hole for their head to fit and your fine.

[seeya205]

I wait until the first pips before I cut the rest! This way I know that they are ready! Since you don't have experience cutting then I would wait until day 60 or the first one pips, whichever comes first! This way you still have two days for them to come out while your home. Experienced breeders like Rich cut earlier because they know how to take care of them after and they know the signs to watch out for! Good luck! Not an easy decision!!!

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Severely dimpled isn't usually a bad thing. It happens close to hatch time anyway. The baby should be ok. It's so close to hatch time I don't see the harm in making a small flap in them to check them.

[Matt K]

Haha, thanks for additional input and votes everyone. I just keep telling myself, "One more day. One more day." I'm going to wait until day 60 if they haven't pipped on their own. Tomorrow is day 58, so hopefully we'll see some noses soon. I'm still on the fence about that one egg; I'm going to set up another egg tub tonight, and I might cut just that one tomorrow. I'm thinking I should get the worst out of the way first, so everything after that is more positive. I know extreme dimpling is normal at the end of incubation, but this egg is and has been pretty ridiculous. I decided early on not to mess with it too much, and it might have been the wrong call, but we'll see soon. Just watch, it will be the ultimate heart-breaker. Not only will it be deformed, which would kill my soul in a big way, but it will also be the Super Pastel Pied that I'm hoping for. Anywho, thanks for all the advice and support again, it has been very appreciated!

Cheers,
-Matt