Few First Timer Questions

Alright, been reading over the forums for a couple years as my girls grew up and this is my first season. I'm expecting eggs around July 28th and have a couple questions about details I haven't been able to find on the forums here.

1. I can feel golf ball size lumps now. Since size isn't on the timetables I've seen AFTER the follicle stage, I was wondering how close we might actually be based on egg size.

2. She's a first timer and though I'm using an incubator, I was wondering what might be easiest for her in terms of substrate. While I see clutches laid on newspaper, cyprus, and various other things, with her being new at this, I was curious as to what might be easier for her to handle in terms of keeping the eggs together.

3. If I change from newspaper to a mulch type substrate, should I do it now or wait until closer when she's due to lay?

Thanks for any input. It's much appreciated.

Golf ball sized lump usually are follicles.

Is it possible you saw a large build not an ovulation?

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Originally Posted by dr del

Golf ball sized lump usually are follicles.

Is it possible you saw a large build not an ovulation?

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Very possible. Like I said, first time going through this so just seeing where things go. My male stopped pairing with her a little while back and she moved to hot side a little over a month ago. As far as I know, she's just torturing me. :)

The lumps are probably follicles. When your girl ovulates, it will look like she swallowed a can. Keep her substrate the same, newspaper. Hope this helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by S.I.R.

The lumps are probably follicles. When your girl ovulates, it will look like she swallowed a can. Keep her substrate the same, newspaper. Hope this helps.

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To my untrained eye, it's looked like that a couple times (swelled and then went down the next day but they were large marble size at that point) but good to know that they are probably follicles and not eggs. Every little bit helps. Thanks. :)

If she did ovulate and they still feel small they may be slugs. Hopefully she is still building.

So I'm guessing her last shed was end of June? When palpating for eggs I've found them to feel like squishy water balloons nearer laying, and slugs are more noticeably hard.

Substrate wise I wouldn't worry too much - newspaper is fine, or they end up moving it all and laying on the floor of the tub anyway... Mulch is recommended for maternal incubation as it's good for holding humidity, less crucial if you're using an incubator.

This is my first season too, all I can say is be ready to wait! All my girls have been weeks late in laying, one still making me wait now. It can be difficult to identify the various stages and I am forever second guessing myself - hope your patience pays off!