My first clutch!

http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/a...8628786342.jpg

I am excited and scared all at once! LOL! I have never bred anything before, but had some friends doing this so I got into it this year. I picked up quite a few snakes. (more than I need really) and had 7 confirmed locks when I put everyone together in November/December. I hadn't seen any sign of eggs so I got disappointed and shut down my incubator for the year... then tonight here these are!

My issue, I built a fairly large incubator that holds about 10-12 tubs... but I don't see any of my other females going, so should I put together a smaller cooler type incubator for this one clutch? Or should I just leave what I have alone?

I appreciate any and all help and suggestions as this is my first go round. I don't want to mess up my first clutch! Especially if its the only one I get this year

Thanks in advance...

Can't sleep keep looking at the incubator to see how they are doing since i didn't have everything ready. Temps aren't quite where I would like them to be. Wondering if I should build a cooler incubator in the morning and get it ready to move the eggs into. Having a hard time with humidity too. The eggs are sort of caving in a little bit on top. Not bad, but they weren't at all when I pulled them from the female's tub. I would appreciate some info! Am I just bugging out for no reason? Or is there something I need to do fast so I don't mess it up...?

Check your water to substrate ratio. If they are too wet, setup a new tub and use less water. If you have no substrate, then put a few holes in the tub to get a small amount of air flow. Too much humidity isn't a good thing I believe. I haven't had my first clutch, this is just info I've read about or asked to other breeders before.

Yes your bugging out for no reason, just adjust the humidity levels and try to keep the door/top to your incubator closed. Cycle the air every few days, and try not too pull your hair out waiting!

If you're pairing, you should always have your incubator running! 1 lock is all it can take if done at the right time, and it seems like you did it! The size of the incubator shouldnt matter for just 1 clutch, just make sure you're parameters are correct and play the waiting game.

Congrats!

What was the pairing?

Trey Jackson

I can see the bottom of your container , you def need more incubation medium in there. It looks like youre using hatchrite/perlite. I would suggest filling the box a lil higher with your medium and cover with glad press and seal. What are your temps running in your bator?

Thanks for the replies and info! I really appreciate any help I can get.

My incubator is a glass door cooler that I added heat to and gutted all the refrigerant stuff. I was using the fan in the unit to move air, but I think it may be a bit much. Going to pick up a small fan today from Radio Shack.

I too think that I skimped on the substrate so I made up another tub with the perlite about 2-3" deep and I am trying to get it up to temp before I move the eggs. I don't want to disturb anything too much. I am also going to pick up some press and seal and use that.

My temps are better this morning, but the thermostat had to be set at 92* to get to where it is now.

http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/a...8672415008.jpg

Congrats :)

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Originally Posted by Chuckels

What was the pairing?

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Het pieds

I hope you have great odds :)

Congrats! Good luck with proving them out!

Thanks everyone! I'd like to see it prove out too. Here is a pic of the eggs now that I got them in more perlite. I think the other tub was too dry, this one will clump together in my hand, but not drip when I squeeze it so hopefully its better. Though the eggs did sort of sink in a bit, hope they are alright!

http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/a...8685302583.jpg

Looking good. :) Good luck!!

I am getting a little concerned. I don't think that I am getting enough humidity. I have the tub covered in glad press and seal wrap, the medium is pretty moist, and I added some more water but the eggs are starting to dimple and even cave in some. What can I do?

I'm not a press and seal fan. I've always used food storage tubs and have never had a humidity issue. If they are dimpling this early you are having a humidity problem.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

I put a flukers thermometer/hygrometer in the tub to see if I could get a more accurate idea of humidity. After I added the water and let it settle for around 30 mins, the humidity was up to 98%. This may be a stupid question, but will the eggs un-dimple or regain their shape? I don't have any idea how this works and I appreciate everyone's help with my questions that have probably been asked a thousand times.

It takes a bit for the medium to heat up and produce humidity, you should be fine.Just be sure the perlite is not to wet as you do not want the eggs wet. you can always add water little by little

I am getting beyond frustrated. My incubator temps are fluctuating WAY too much for my liking. From 87* to 92* depending on ambient air temp. I am thinking that I am going to put together a cooler incubator tomorrow. Hopefully that will be easier to regulate. I am really kicking myself for thinking nothing was going to happen and not being ready for this.

Seeing as how the eggs themselves shouldn't be wet, should I get some of that light panel stuff to put them on? I really should have done some more research! I totally thought I was ready when I started pairing. I was very wrong.

Now I just hope I don't screw up my first clutch :please:

The light defuser panels work really well. Those are a huge help. But you have to remember that the condensation of the humidity will pool at the top. So you may have to watch that and add a hole or two if the water starts pooling and dripping on the eggs. What incubator are you using? A CPU fan and some water bottles help stabilize temps as well.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

The light defuser panels work really well. Those are a huge help. But you have to remember that the condensation of the humidity will pool at the top. So you may have to watch that and add a hole or two if the water starts pooling and dripping on the eggs. What incubator are you using? A CPU fan and some water bottles help stabilize temps as well.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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This morning, my temps were a little low so I changed the location of the thermostat probe from in the tub, to in the middle of the incubator, and within a couple hours, temps had stabilized between the two, however I am having a little bit of a hard time keeping it super steady. Still going from 88 to 90 throughout the day depending on outside temp. I am using a home made incubator built out of a glass door type drink cooler. I have a shelf full of water bottles near the bottom of the incubator.

Seeing as how the temps seem to be getting better and the humidity is where I need it, I don't think I will be changing anything unless absolutely necessary. I have stirred up the eggs enough since I found them. No need to do any more damage than may already be done

I put the egg crate panel in the tub today and was happy to find that the eggs had regained their shape. I wasn't sure if once they had caved in or dimpled if they would stay that way until they hatched.