Don't put all your eggs in one basket?

As I have a couple clutches baking, I couldn't help but think of that old saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket", in that if you have all of anything in one place, if something goes wrong, you lose it all. This just happens to concern eggs...

When you get into having a higher number of clutches, do you also have a few independent incubators? I'd hate for a minor glitch in one incubator destroy an entire year's work. Just curious what you guys do.

I have 3 incubators. 2 for bp's and one large one for colubrids.

Nope, I have one big walk-in with redundant heat and thermostat systems. I've never had a problem and it holds A LOT of clutches for me every year.

Hope this helps.

-adam

Here's how Ralph does it. Lots of back up systems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSRkh8QMNNc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l73YPwI8Lfg

its not so much 1 place for the eggs its the backup systems you have in place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by extensive

its not so much 1 place for the eggs its the backup systems you have in place.

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I agree, it's not just the room, it's the redundant heat sources, redundant temperature controls etc. I've only used a single incubator in the past and I worried about it every year. I set up a second incubator this year (hovabator) and ended up losing all of my burm eggs to a hugh temperature spike. But at least my main incubator (natures spirit) held steady and I didn't lose any balls. I'm getting to the point though that I'd going to have to either set up a closet incubator or build another stand alone.

Don't worry so much. It is better to have one reliable incubator than a bunch of smaller junk ones. Thermostats fail, heaters fail, power fails, invest in backups for everything if you can, at a minimum I would recommend a backup thermostat.

Richard

I never incubate my eggs in a basket. That's a sure way to get a low hatch rate.

On Easter Sunday, I always carry 2 baskets...I just feel the need to get more candy than my daughter :D