Setting up an egg box. The K.I.S.S. way.

SETTING UP AN EGG TUB
Alot of confusion comes about when it is time to set up egg tubs. There is a ton of info out there reguarding incubation and what to use for egg tubs as well as what substrate to use as well. I try to use the K.I.S.S. method in anything i do. In case you are wondering the K.I.S.S. I am refering to is not the KISS that the BIG DOG DADDY AKA THE KING - RALPH DAVIS is a big fan of!
K.I.S.S. simply mean Keep It Simple Stupid.
When I first started breeding snakes I tried to make things harder than it is. Why was that. The internet is a great place for info on anything out there. But I was overwhelmed by all the different ways of incubating eggs. So i will stop all the lip flapping and get to setting up egg boxes the simple way.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Remember this is my simple but very effective way of setting up an egg box. This is not the only way.Who am I? I am no big breeder I am someone who finds out what works and the simplest ways to do it. I use 6 quart tubs on most of clutches. For bigger clutches (8 eggs and up) I may use a bigger tub. I use only Perlite I get it from Wal-Mart in the garden section.
Sometimes I use a piece of egg crate (from Lowes in the lighting section) that is cut to fit into the tub. Finally I use a 16 ounce deli cup for water.

HOW TO SET IT UP!

Do not wait till the last minute to do this. I feel better if I have a tub set up a few days in advance.I also place the temp probes inside the eggs tubs, this is where the proper temps are needed most right.Take the tub put in about 1 and one half inch to 2 inches of Perlite. Add one cup to 1 and 1/2 cups of water.
(I use1 of the 16 ounce deli cups filled with water) You do not have to mix it around the idea is to let the water sink to the bottom. If you want add in the piece of egg crate. Most the time i do not even use it. Add the eggs in and push them gently into the perlite. Add the lid and wait patiently(yeah right) for eggs to hatch.
I do not put in any holes into the tubs but I open them once a week to air out. Once it gets closer to hatching time you can open them up daily.

See easier than you thought. Good Luck.

thats it...? im kinda waiting for the rest of the post here... where are the pics?

No pics. A 6 quart tubs is a 6 quart tub. 1 1/2 - 2 inches of perilite and 16 ounces of water. Some simple even retarded me can do it. LOL I will try to add in pics for this and the breeding one.

isnt this already a sticky?

Mine was even simpler! Order Hatchrite, open bag of Hatchrite, pour into tub, add eggs! :) Sorry - couldn't resist, but truly, that's what I did. I did put Hatchrite in the tub a few days before I expected the clutch and put in the incubator to warm up.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Mine was even simpler! Order Hatchrite, open bag of Hatchrite, pour into tub, add eggs! :) Sorry - couldn't resist, but truly, that's what I did. I did put Hatchrite in the tub a few days before I expected the clutch and put in the incubator to warm up.

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+1

It is simpler Robin. What does Hatch Rite run a per bag?? I always worry that there could be a hole in the bag of hatch rite letting the water evaporate out over time. With my luck that would be the bags I get. Good luck to everyone this season.

I just went the old tried and true method of vermiculite and perlite. Must be something to it. My first year with eggs - 18 eggs laid, 18 eggs hatched, 18 healthy hatchlings crawled out - no mold on the eggs or anything funky like that. :)

Hatchrite runs about $12 something per bag -- will fill one maybe two tubs maybe more -- depending on tub size and how deep you like it -- and yes you run the risk of it being dried out or too wet - and that leaves you where.

IMO - it's just better to know the proper moisture content for your substrate instead of relying on it coming out out of the bag measured perfectly. That way you can spend that $12 on a 4 cubic foot bag of vermiculite and fill what 30 or more tubs. I suppose if you have one or two clutches the Hatchrite would be fine -- but on a bigger scale I cant see why you'd want to use it unless your bottom line is so enormous that you could use that big of a write off in incubation supplies. :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by Thomas Jones

It is simpler Robin. What does Hatch Rite run a per bag?? I always worry that there could be a hole in the bag of hatch rite letting the water evaporate out over time. With my luck that would be the bags I get. Good luck to everyone this season.

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If it's too dry, you simply add a little water to each corner of the egg box (about a tablespoon in each corner).

I figure if it's good enough for NERD and BHB to use for their ball pythons exlusively now, it's good enough for me. So yes, for me, it's much easier than mixing perlite or vermiculite. :)

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Originally Posted by Tosha_Mc

Hatchrite runs about $12 something per bag -- will fill one maybe two tubs maybe more -- depending on tub size and how deep you like it -- and yes you run the risk of it being dried out or too wet - and that leaves you where.

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I've not heard of Hatchrite being too wet out of the bag, and I didn't have a problem with any of mine being too dry. The bags clearly tell you how to deal with it when it's too dry (which I didn't experience).

But I did take my last clutch off/out of the Hatchrite right before I cut them and put them on damp paper towels to keep the Hatchrite from getting any egg yolk on them, so I have a batch that I will re-hydrate this year and see about re-cycling it this year. I didn't do that with the first two clutches and tossed their Hatchrite.

Vermiculite all day long. I wouldn't touch Hatchrite for Balls. No thanks. It's not affordable for anyone doing more than 2-3 clutches. It's not that hard to mix Vermiculite! :)

Vermiculite perlite and a piece of crate to keep the egg's off the substrate I just feel better not having to worry about the moisture.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Vermiculite all day long. I wouldn't touch Hatchrite for Balls. No thanks. It's not affordable for anyone doing more than 2-3 clutches. It's not that hard to mix Vermiculite! :)

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I'm curious, besides price (which doesn't matter to me on the Hatchrite), why wouldn't you touch it? For me, it was perfect and worry free!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I'm curious, besides price (which doesn't matter to me on the Hatchrite), why wouldn't you touch it? For me, it was perfect and worry free!

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I like to mix the vermiculite myself. I know what it should feel like and I'm comfortable using it. I don't believe that Hatchrite is a set it and forget it incubation medium. I have talked to a couple people who have had to add water halfway through which to me defeats the supposed purpose of it. I mix my vermiculite, put the eggs in, seal the box and don't open it until the eggs start to dent. Then I open every day or two for a minute for air exchange. No need to add water at any point in the incubation process.

I know you said the price doesn't matter to you, but if you plan on doing more than a few clutches, how can it not?

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I like to mix the vermiculite myself. I know what it should feel like and I'm comfortable using it. I don't believe that Hatchrite is a set it and forget it incubation medium. I have talked to a couple people who have had to add water halfway through which to me defeats the supposed purpose of it. I mix my vermiculite, put the eggs in, seal the box and don't open it until the eggs start to dent. Then I open every day or two for a minute for air exchange. No need to add water at any point in the incubation process.

I know you said the price doesn't matter to you, but if you plan on doing more than a few clutches, how can it not?

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Even if I did 10 clutches, $120 is no larger expenditure to me than what a Herpstat or Helix thermostat costs me and I don't find that to be too expensive for my animals.

The great thing is we're learning that there's more than one way to do things successfully. Hatchrite worked well for me, and I have no compelling reason to try something else right now! What I don't have is space to store a HUGE bag of Vermiculite from what I don't use.

BTW, you know I have to pick on your avatar - that BP.net shirt you ordered is too small for you dude! :P

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Even if I did 10 clutches, $120 is no larger expenditure to me than what a Herpstat or Helix thermostat costs me and I don't find that to be too expensive for my animals.

The great thing is we're learning that there's more than one way to do things successfully. Hatchrite worked well for me, and I have no compelling reason to try something else right now! What I don't have is space to store a HUGE bag of Vermiculite from what I don't use.

BTW, you know I have to pick on your avatar - that BP.net shirt you ordered is too small for you dude! :P

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No doubt Robin! Go with what works! Everyone has their way and over the years I have learned that sometimes there is no right and wrong, just different.

Haha, nice pic, right! Kelly will never be able to wear her shirt now that I stretched it out! :)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Even if I did 10 clutches, $120 is no larger expenditure to me than what a Herpstat or Helix thermostat costs me and I don't find that to be too expensive for my animals.

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I'm a firm believer of spending whatever I need to in order to care for my animals as best as possible too, but ... if I'm looking at 200+ clutches this coming season spending $72 in vermiculite vs. $2,400.00 in hatchrite just seems like a no brainer to me. Unless of course, someone from the company that makes hatchrite would like to comp me what I need for this coming season ... then I'd be more than happy to tell anyone that wants to listen about hatchrite. :gj:

NOTE: This was a cheesy and shameless attempt to get something for free. I didn't expect it to work and I certainly have nothing bad to say about hatchrite. I think that whatever people feel works best for them and their husbandry methods is awesome! The point is to have fun with this stuff and to enjoy your animals. :D

-adam

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Haha, nice pic, right! Kelly will never be able to wear her shirt now that I stretched it out! :)

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The way I do laundry, it'll be small enough to fit one of the boys after a couple of washes ... is it hot water for cotton??? I get so confused.

I still can't believe she let you put that on ... you two were out of control!!! :bow:

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I'm a firm believer of spending whatever I need to in order to care for my animals as best as possible too, but ... if I'm looking at 200+ clutches this coming season spending $72 in vermiculite vs. $2,400.00 in hatchrite just seems like a no brainer to me. Unless of course, someone from the company that makes hatchrite would like to comp me what I need for this coming season ... then I'd be more than happy to tell anyone that wants to listen about hatchrite. :gj:

NOTE: This was a cheesy and shameless attempt to get something for free. I didn't expect it to work and I certainly have nothing bad to say about hatchrite. I think that whatever people feel works best for them and their husbandry methods is awesome! The point is to have fun with this stuff and to enjoy your animals. :D

-adam

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Guess you need to call Brian or Kev and get their hook-up on bulk Hatchrite! Somehow, I doubt they're spending that much! ;)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Guess you need to call Brian or Kev and get their hook-up on bulk Hatchrite! Somehow, I doubt they're spending that much! ;)

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I doubt that they are too which is my point ... as far as hook ups, not gonna happen ... I'm not that important. :rolleye2:

-adam

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Guess you need to call Brian or Kev and get their hook-up on bulk Hatchrite! Somehow, I doubt they're spending that much! ;)

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It's called getting paid (or paid in free product) to promote. It's what makes the world go round. Like a couple of years ago when a big breeder said that he was putting his many thousand dollars worth of Freedom Breeder racks by the curb because he was using only Vision racks now. :D

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

The way I do laundry, it'll be small enough to fit one of the boys after a couple of washes ... is it hot water for cotton??? I get so confused.

I still can't believe she let you put that on ... you two were out of control!!! :bow:

-adam

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Yeah, hot water for cotton is right. Also, I always mix the colors together. Good, right?

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I'm not that important. :rolleye2:

-adam

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You're important in my eyes.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

You're important in my eyes.

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Yeah ... I'm painfully aware of that. Thanks?

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Yeah ... I'm painfully aware of that. Thanks?

-adam

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Now THAT is funny!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

It's called getting paid (or paid in free product) to promote. It's what makes the world go round. Like a couple of years ago when a big breeder said that he was putting his many thousand dollars worth of Freedom Breeder racks by the curb because he was using only Vision racks now. :D

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Well shoot, I'm promoting Hatchrite, where's my free Hatchrite? :rolleye2:

LOL -- if someone wants to send me some free Hatchrite I'll be happy to give it promo plug here and there as well. Will stick a link on my web page and even be sure to have it inconspicuously placed in the background of several "candid" shots. LOL Will need about 20 bags for next season - thanks! :rofl:

I guess the way I see it is that if it were "better" (like using a helix compared to wafer) then it might be worth the extra expense -- but as far as I can tell you're just paying for the convenience - which normally I'm all for - but it's just mixing substrate and water which isn't rocket science and I can get the kids to do for free :D .

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Originally Posted by Tosha_Mc

LOL -- if someone wants to send me some free Hatchrite I'll be happy to give it promo plug here and there as well. Will stick a link on my web page and even be sure to have it inconspicuously placed in the background of several "candid" shots. LOL Will need about 20 bags for next season - thanks! :rofl:

I guess the way I see it is that if it were "better" (like using a helix compared to wafer) then it might be worth the extra expense -- but as far as I can tell you're just paying for the convenience - which normally I'm all for - but it's just mixing substrate and water which isn't rocket science and I can get the kids to do for free :D .

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I'm with you! I'll use their logo as my watermark! :D

I like mixing vermic. I know what I want it to feel like and what is going to get me through 60 days (give or take) without messing with it.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I'm curious, besides price (which doesn't matter to me on the Hatchrite), why wouldn't you touch it? For me, it was perfect and worry free!

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I used hatchrite for my BP eggs. Needless to say, I had to actually switch to vermiculite half way through the incubation. For my first year hatching balls, it was a bit scary to say the least.
Now saying that, I LOVE hatchrite for my crestie eggs. I will never use it for the BP's but I will stick to it for the cresties'.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I like mixing vermic. I know what I want it to feel like and what is going to get me through 60 days (give or take) without messing with it.

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I agree, its less stressful to have confidence in your incubation medium and for me vermic is the way to go!

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Vermiculite all day long. I wouldn't touch Hatchrite for Balls. No thanks. It's not affordable for anyone doing more than 2-3 clutches. It's not that hard to mix Vermiculite! :)

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I agree 100% - I have used vermiculite and hatchrite over the last two years.... both worked just fine. Neither had a flaw I could find.

BUT, the price difference is big. I'll use vermiculite exclusively from now no. I don't see the point (For me anyway) in spending a lot more to get the same result. :)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Well shoot, I'm promoting Hatchrite, where's my free Hatchrite? :rolleye2:

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Seems like a no brainer to me ... someone from that company should send you at least a couple of bags!!! Just sayin. ;)

-adam

Excellent post!!!!


STICKY WORTHY!!!!!

I like the no sub method, but that's just me. Perlite and vermic in the bottom of a 6qt or 12qt, soak with water until it's sloshy but firm enough to hold the light grate up, then put light grate on top. Cover the top with Press N Seal and it's good to go.

I can't get vermic or perlite in large quantities here so I buy the small bags($6 and $7 apiece) and just do the no-sub. Works better for me that way and no problems here for 2 seasons going on 3. :)

We've been using the "no substrate" method for the past two years @ CSR with exceptional results. We're still very small and have only produced a little over one hundred babies during that time, but we've only had 2 or 3 eggs that failed to hatch.

We use only water with the light grating supported by pvc pipe. We have had zero problems with this method and we highly recommend it.