Incubation Substrate question?

I was wondering how much substrate do i need when incubationg my eggs. I have seen hatchrite sold in bags of 2lbs a peice. Does it really take 2lbs per clutch?

No but hatchrite is just pre moisten perlite and over priced.

I use perlite mixed with vermiculite. Fill the tubs 2" deep and i soak it. Since i use substrate-less where eggs never touch the medium. Technically you can use what ever you want as long as its absorbent and holds moisture well.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...5xphantom2.jpg

I use straight Perlite, slightly moistened and don't use the substrateless method. I probably do 2 to 3 inches of substrate in the egg box, but it really all depends on how the eggs are stacked on each other (I tend NOT to separate them, because I'm to worried I might tear one).

I used Hatchrite my first year, so I was familiar with how moist was moist enough. Always default to not moist enough, you can always add more moisture, but it's hard to take away. If the eggs start to dimple a little, I just add a teaspoon of water to each corner of the eggbox.

For perlite should i do it the same as vermiculite? Should it be 1 to 1 water to perlite by weight

Its always 1 to 1 by weight if your not doing substrate less like i have pictured.

Doing my method in picture no need to ever measure just dump and pour

Thanks for the help.

curious about the hatchrite. I have found bags with small holes or rips. do they lose the moisture?

I've used straight vermiculite last time and it worked perfect.

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Originally Posted by Subdriven

curious about the hatchrite. I have found bags with small holes or rips. do they lose the moisture?

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Yes they do lose moisture. But like stated its just pre moistened perlite. Just add water to it if the bag is dry.