When to cut?

I have a surprise clutch or atleast what I call it cuz I started out with a pastel male to my normal and gained a few other males which I saw locks with all if them so I'm being very impatient lol but i was wondering what's the earlyist that's safe to cut eggs? My eggs are incubating at 88-90 and I'm at day 20 and the eggs are still perfect I was planing on cutting at day 55 but I was just wondering what would be safe

I've been on this site stacking it for a couple of years, learning as much as possible and letting my babies grow.
This is only my second clutch, but I just cut at day 55, crossing my fingers the majority on this sight is right.

Today is day 55 for our 2nd clutch. The first one pipped and got his head stuck! :O

I had heard of this, but I didn't think it would really happen...anyway, I cut him loose. So I'd say the time to cut is when they're stuck! haha

It also depends on what temperature the eggs are incubated at. I try to cut at day 55 or later. Last year I was going to be out of town for a clutch's day 55 so I cut on day 52 but I incubate at 89 degrees. All was well but I had add water a few times so the fluid in the egg wouldn't dry out.

I always cut at 52 to 55 days. I incubate at 89 degrees and use hatchrite for my substrate. Never had any problems. Good luck with your clutch and be very careful if you decide to cut.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

Thanks guys this is great to know I just can't wait to see what I got and what do you guys use to cut your eggs?

I've cut at day 46. Never will do it again! Just know what ever you decide you must deal with the consequences. 55-57 is when I will cut next time.

My plan is to cut after the first one pips!

After the first baby pips, which for me is usually right about day 54.

this question might be stupid for ball python vets, but i would just like to know why is there a need to cut eggs?tnx.

you can use a simple but safe method:
you could cut starting at day 55 but using a flashlight you can see if the blood vessels are still big or if they become to decrease in thickness. that means that the baby is going to hatch in a couple of days. in that way you can also avoid big veins to be cut, that is never a nice thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aziejames

this question might be stupid for ball python vets, but i would just like to know why is there a need to cut eggs?tnx.

---

It isn't required. Most people simply do after the first baby cuts it's egg to ensure all of the others are OK.

It is uncommon but not unheard of for a baby to loose it's egg tooth before being able to pip it's egg. If this happens, the baby can die in the egg. Cutting a small slit also allows you to see if any babies have the umbilical cord wrapped around their body.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aziejames

this question might be stupid for ball python vets, but i would just like to know why is there a need to cut eggs?tnx.

---

Nope not a stupid question at all.Well the majority of us cut our eggs because it gives the babies a better chance at surviving.I lost one baby when i first started breeding them because it was unable to fully cut the egg.So now i cut around day 45.It can be done safely if you know what your doing with zero negative results.

45 days?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Quality_Snakes

45 days?

---

Yes 45 days :gj:.I watch them grow and pretty much know what i have before they come out.I know someone that cuts at day 30.Once again if you know what your doing things will be fine but i would not suggest it for newbies.

While I wouldn't personally cut that early, I believe Joe has enough know-how to make it work. We have also seen the negative side of cutting early if you do not know exactly how to care for the eggs afterwards. It takes a little more vigilance but some people don't mind.

but... what's the point in doing that? just being impatient to see what's inside the shell I guess...
no benefits for the hatchling tho, only risks.

To each their own. As long as the person doing the cutting is capable of caring for the eggs properly after cutting I see no problem in cutting them that early. Personally, I would not cut that early, but then again, I do not have as much experience as many of the breeders here.

Technically I had an egg "cut" :rolleyes: at 36 days! Technically it fell and split open but so far the baby inside has done well. I did patch the egg up with some plastic wrap, but still. I just cut my eggs on day 56.

I'm one to point out my own flaws & mistakes, last season I had a temp malfunction & cut too early (for what temp they were actually running at) on my first clutch 9 eggs, 4 pastels 4 spiders 1 normal. the normal and 1 spider survived. I'm still not over it :rage::rage::rage:

I cut day 45-50 depending on the day of week it falls on. Never lost a hatchling or had problems.

When eggs develop mold on the surface where i cut or they pipped,I use sterile saline solution, few drops every other day till they hatch. This keeps the surface where you cut or where they have pipped clean and reduces bacterial growth till their out.

I incubate at 88.1-88.4 and all babies are out by day 54. Cutting a week ahead gives me a idea of whats in the egg and if anything is wrong with a baby inside that needs assisting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by llovelace

I'm one to point out my own flaws & mistakes, last season I had a temp malfunction & cut too early (for what temp they were actually running at) on my first clutch 9 eggs, 4 pastels 4 spiders 1 normal. the normal and 1 spider survived. I'm still not over it :rage::rage::rage:

---

We had a very similar issue. We cut a clutch of fires at day 55. It was very obvious that it was too soon. We unfortunately lost that whole clutch. 7 fires :tears: . Now if it were to happen again we know how to deal with it. To be safe though we wait until day 60 if they don’t pip on there own.