What's wrong with these eggs?

With out having direct experience I have read that swings are worse than being a bit low or high, there is a range that works but shifting across it seems bad. I don't like my hot spots in the enclosures to swing 6 degrees.

It's tough to tell from that picture, but is that egg crate the only thing separating the eggs from the water at the bottom of the tub? If so, you might want to add a couple inches of PVC pipe on each corner of the egg crate to lift it higher above the water. If the eggs are just places on the crate, which is just placed in the tub, it could very well be that in carrying the egg box too and from the incubator water splashed up and soaked the eggs enough to encourage them to rot. Anywho, just a thought! Good luck with the remaining good looking eggs though!

Cheers,
-Matt

Damn they look really wet.

Sorry to see that dude. =/

I would've probably used something in there instead of just water, i.e. vermiculite and then as much water as i felt like but still using the grate to keep the eggs dry.
Sucks bro.

I also use some vermiculite or perlite below the grid to prevent splashing/sloshing when moving the tub. Even though there is substrate, it is still considered substrateless because the eggs aren't in contact with it. Loosing eggs always sucks, I feel your pain.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, we have something separating the crate from the water. I agree, too, that we should use some vermiculite on the next one. We didn't add water to the tub until it was already in the 'bator. We're down to 3 eggs with good veins. 2 of those 3 look great, and the 3rd is questionable. Hope we get at least the 2 babies.

I'd ditch the seal a meal, it caused me the same issues early on last season and after I removed it and let the tubs breath my eggs did wonderful.
I know some people use seal a meal but I had bad results with it....

I use vermiculite below light diffuser and have 3 small holes in my 7qt locking lid tubs to allow ventilation and since I went to doing it this way have had no molding issues.

Sorry for the loss, hopefully you'll get the humidity issues worked out before your next eggies.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

I'd ditch the seal a meal, it caused me the same issues early on last season and after I removed it and let the tubs breath my eggs did wonderful.
I know some people use seal a meal but I had bad results with it....

I use vermiculite below light diffuser and have 3 small holes in my 7qt locking lid tubs to allow ventilation and since I went to doing it this way have had no molding issues.

Sorry for the loss, hopefully you'll get the humidity issues worked out before your next eggies.

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I was wondering about the press and seal for this year. I think I will be getting rid of it too! Thanks :gj:

I have never used the sub less method. Ive questioned whether the two bad eggs were even good in the first place. But it doesnt make sence with the third. Possibly bc Of the seal they werent getting enough oxygen exchange? Did you have any holes in the top at all? I do know the way I inc. With vermiculite and holes in the top works well. I've only Had 2 stills throughout my whole breeding experience 4th year now, it seems to work well and I'm comfortable with it. Last year I think the two stills from the same clutch was due to too low of temps from a new inc malfunctioning. Perhaps a few holes or not sealing the tub would prevent the two remaining eggs to die.
Morgan

Yeah, now I'm wondering about the necessity of press 'n seal. People always refer to using it, so I used it. Is it really necessary? Or is it one more thing that breeders do that's unnecessary?

What I see going on with your eggs is simply that they were not fertilized from the beginning, or they were no strong embryos and died or both.

As far the wetness issues, I personally prefer to use vermiculite (Coarse or fine), and I supplement the moisture loss using direct spray of the substrate and eggs at 3, 5, and 7 weeks. This course has provided me with viable eggs throughout incubation to the effect of 75 eggs laid and 1 bad last season and an untold number of Burm and Retic eggs that I used this formula on since 2001.

I personally do not see an issue with eggs that get water on them. I have never seen it “kill” an egg and have only had positive effects on them. I know this is not the “popular opinion”, but it is my experience based on literature I have read and applied to my own collection.

In short, I am sorry that this clutch went bad for you so far. I would say use the vermiculite, lose the press and seal and keep the humidity high, like it seems you are doing.

Good luck this season!