Advice needed, on day 44...

First clutch ever, only 4 eggs but they all still look great. Here is my predicament:

Today is day 44. On day 51, I have to go out of town (visiting fam, so looking forward to it regardless) :) will be coming back on morning of day 54, which is next Monday from the family visit. Unfortunately this might mean that I miss my first pip and or first time possibly seeing one or all four emerging from the egg.

Question is, does anyone think I should cut burg re I leave (again which will be day 51) or should I wait it out and see what unfolds when I return on day 54? I have a feeing that I should just let them be until I return.

Last question is, let's say they all come out while I am gone, will they be fine in the egg box on their own for a couple days if this happens? I am not using a diffuser, just eggs directly on top of vermiculite with humidity at 85 to 90%. I just worry that if they come out I won't be able to immediately get them on wet paper towels. Is this that big of a deal or should I stop worrying so much?

I really would appreciate any insight and or advice. Just need the peace of mind from some veterans if u all wouldn't mind. Thanks guys and gals!l

I'm sure they probably won't pip at day 54, you should be ok

depending on what temp your incubator is at, they should be ok on their own. when they pip, it should be at least another 24 hours or so before they start to leave their eggs.

K. Thanks y'all. I'm incubating around 89. Lowest I have seen is 88.5, highest has been 89.6. Will temp fluctuations of a degree or so each way promote any defects? Or does there usually have to be a pretty drastic spike or drop?

Sorry about the paranoid questions... I'm sure you were all in this position at one point. Hahaha. I JUST WANT THESE DARN THINGS OUTTA THE EGGS! Man it's so so hard to be patient. How the he'll am I supposed to wait another year for more?? Lol

You will be fine with your temps. Leave them alone untill you get home. They will be fine in the egg box for a few days.

Let it ride you will worry more if you cut

You might as well wait, it's not going to hurt them. Like others have said, they are most likely not going to be pipped on day 54. I had just about the same situation. I went out of state on day 51 for a family reunion and came back on day 54.

Another thing I wanted to add, is that if you cut before you go, that's three days that you won't be able to check on them and clean out all the bacteria that starts growing once you cut the eggs. I noticed that the snakes really dry out too when you cut the eggs.

you will be fine waiting till you come back they won't pip that soon, I incubate at those temps and my don't pip until like day 53-56. I seem to have snake that want to lay when I am out of town lol..

about the temps, nature is not as percise as people think, as long as your temps are 88 to 90 you are fine.

My eggs didn't pip until day 60 and I was incubating at a rock-solid 89F the whole time. I say leave 'em and don't worry.