One egg bad, worried about others...

[Lolo76]

I'm so disappointed! This clutch (8 eggs normal x spider) looked gorgeous when it first came out, as every egg was plump, white, and perfect. But against my better judgment, I tried a different method of incubation - first trying the substrate-less method, and then switching to eggs in vermiculite with no egg tub, at the suggestion of a few people here. Within the first week or two they started to collapse from low humidity, so I added more vermiculite which got things stabilized @ 99%. Now the one on top of the "pyramid" is completely flattened, and quickly started to mold within the last few days... I can still see veins but haven't caught any movement, so I think it's pretty much toast now.

The other eggs are iffy at this point, with 3 of them looking flat/crumpled, but still white with strong veins & movement. The rest actually look good, and not surprisingly they're at the bottom of the pile (and the one separated egg). Is there any way to plump them back up, or should I just keep things stable until the end? They are on day 34, btw. Also, is there any way to separate them?? I'm particularly worried about the bad egg, since the mold already spread a little to the adjoining eggs. I added some anti-fungal powder to the affected ones, but have a feeling things will get nasty soon. I hope at least most of them make it!! Photos below:





The nasty one up-close - think it's already dead?


P.S. I'm using a Little Giant incubator, from which I hatched 5 healthy babies last year (using a tub inside the inc).

[Wicked Constrictors]

Are they in a tub now? does it have a lid? You can try press and seal to keep the humidity in the tub. Dont try to separated you might do more harm then good, right now just keep a eye on the molded egg.

[Lolo76]

Are they in a tub now? does it have a lid? You can try press and seal to keep the humidity in the tub. Dont try to separated you might do more harm then good, right now just keep a eye on the molded egg.

Thanks for the reply! They are not in a tub now, so the only lid is the incubator's lid. Last year I used a small tub, but the clutch was much smaller (only 5 eggs, and not piled as high) - so I'm doubting this clutch would fit in that tub, and I can't think of another size that would work. Are you familiar with the Little Giants? They're pretty much the same as a Hov-a-bator, and space is pretty limited in them.

Kinda regretting not splurging on a better incubator, but it seemed unnecessary for just one clutch.

[Wicked Constrictors]

Just looked it up and yeah you have no room in that, try not to open it so the humidity cant get out. Dont have anymore ideas so hope someone else can help you.

[Lolo76]

Thanks again, Jennifer... anyone else have input? C'mon, I know somebody here can offer advice - or at least chime in on if you think they'll survive!

[Dave Green]

Is there a fan in the incubator? If so, it may be drying out the eggs, they are way to caved in. Don't try and seperate the dying egg you will probably tear the eggs it's attached to. You may want to pile up the vermiculite up against the eggs, almost bury them. The ones on the bottom (in the vermiculite) look okay but the ones on top may not make it, especially since they have 20+ more days to dry out. Next time use a container or seperate the eggs into a couple containers. It doesn't look like the incubator is holding humidity very well, that's the issue.

[Lolo76]

Thanks, Dave... I did use a tub with this incubator last year, but as I said, this year's clutch was just too big! Most of that collapsing happened in the first couple of weeks, before I realized how wet the vermiculite had to be (used Hatch-rite last year). Also forgot to mention my original Acu-Rite wasn't so accu-RIGHT at first. I suspected something was off when they started collapsing, so I tested it with another/newer unit, and discovered it was WAY off. That's when I added about an inch of vermiculite, along with moistening what was already there, and now it's holding stable at 99% for real. So hopefully that's as flat as they'll get, but is there a chance they could pop back up a little? Oh, and no there is not a fan.

Hey, I'll just be happy if a few of them hatch - but of course it would be nice to get all 7 (given up hope on that moldy one). C'mon, baby spiders!!

[Dave Green]

I would suggest that you pile up some mixed vermiculite against the drier eggs. The eggs may plump up a little and hopefully make it. Good luck!

[Lolo76]

Thank you again for the reply... I piled up a little more vermiculite around the top eggs, but not too much, since I don't want to cause the bottom ones to get moldy. Right now they look pretty much the same - no better no worse, which I guess is a good thing. Fairly sure that top egg is a goner, and the one standing straight up is possibly dead too. The rest are hanging in there, so I just have to keep things stable for another 15-ish days.

**holding my breath until then**

[Wicked Constrictors]

good luck keep us updated.