Never again will I use Hatchrite

[SPJ]

I've had nothing but problems with this stuff.
I checked on the eggs today and as soon as I popped off the top, I saw this. It's day 45 now for these. The eggs look the same today as they did on day 30 except now they are browning. I will be really ticked if they don't make it after all the headaches I have had with trying to keep up the humidity with this substrate.

[Drew87]

WOW im sorry man i wish you the best of luck with those

[Nate]

And to think...I just got back from PetSmart where I asked for Hatchrite..and they had no idea what it was nor did they have it....so, i'm about to mix up the Perlite.

[Custom Exotics]

Wow, I have actually heard alot of great things about the hatchrite and actually have some here to use for the gecko and Ball Pythons, although I haven't used it for myself.....yet, I have heard good things. How often did you open the top of the incubation container? Also, the only bad things I heard about the stuff was the exact opposite, too much humidity.

[Ginevive]

Have you added in water throughout incubation? I only ask because, I use a mix of perlite/vermiculite. Last year, towards the end, I did have to add in some warm water. I put it into the corner of the tubs so that the water never hit the eggs, but it did Up the humidity. Maybe this is needed? This is something that I just expect when incubating; I don't think that there's a substrate out there that never requires some adjusting. Sorry that you're having dryness though.. I know that incubating is a harrowing experience no matter what, at least to me.

[Bill Buchman]

That is not good! Hope they make it. I have one thing to say -- substrateless!!!! I know other people have success with old school substrate, and I respect that -- I REALLY do. This is my first breeding season and to say it is going well would be an understatement. There ARE some things to worry about during the season. The eggs in my boxes have not one of them.

My recipe: mark eggs with dull pencil, 50/50 coarse vermiculite- perlite, 6/12qt sterlite box with 2 inches of mix and 1/4-1/2 inch of water in the bottom, egg crate cut to size, seperate the eggs or not(I usually do after they are marked of course)and put them in, Press N Seal over top and close lid, mark info on box( I use a sharpie on side and top - take it off with acetone after first shed), put in cooker and RELAX. I take the Press N Seal off a week before they are due -- at 48-50 days, cut all eggs after first pips -- unless I just can't help myself because there could be something snappy inside. I appreciate the virtue of other methods but all I know is I sleep GOOOOOD!!!!

P.S. Get those eggs some humidity pronto. Might not be too late. Good luck.

[BMorrison]

Sorry to hear about/see that.
Hope everything pans out okay for you!
Good Luck!

[SPJ]

Wow, I have actually heard alot of great things about the hatchrite and actually have some here to use for the gecko and Ball Pythons, although I haven't used it for myself.....yet, I have heard good things. How often did you open the top of the incubation container? Also, the only bad things I heard about the stuff was the exact opposite, too much humidity.

This was the first time in 15 days that I took the top off.
I have gotten the humidity as high as 92% but only because I kept adding water to the edges. Out of the bag it ran 78%.
I do not care for this stuff at all.

[Custom Exotics]

This was the first time in 15 days that I took the top off.
I have gotten the humidity as high as 92% but only because I kept adding water to the edges. Out of the bag it ran 78%.
I do not care for this stuff at all.

Wow, ok then, back to the drawing board, haha. I am reading on incubation methods now to figure out which way I am going when I start pairing up Ball Pythons, right now it is either Vermiculite or Substateless.

[Ginevive]

It really might not be too late. In one of the books I read, they showed some pictures of hatchling Burms, that had dried out alot during incubation. They still hatched, but showed signs of mild dehydration; wrinkly skin. I would gradually Up their humidity.. seems like the hatchrite Is like using old-school verm/perl, that does need to be checked and monitored, and maybe water-added, during incubation in my experience.