Do you cut eggs?

I'm new to python breeding but have some experience with corn snakes. This is my first year with pythons (balls and JCPs) and I find the idea of cutting eggs a bit unnerving. I was wondering... how many of you cut your eggs and why? Or why not?

I've lost full term young which apparently were unable to cut their way out of eggs-so now I always manually pip the remaining eggs once one has pipped naturally.

I usually make slits once the first egg pips, but most of the time a lot of them would still end up making their own slits to exit through. If there are any babies still completely in the eggs after the majority of the clutch mates have left the eggs, I'll cut the tops off to see what's going on, and to give them a nice big opening for them to exit, in case they might be having problems doing it on their own.

Last season I cut at day 52-55.

This season I cut the remaining eggs once the first hatchling pips.

I cut after the first pip also, never had a problem doing it.

I cut because I am impatient, and it doesn't hurt as long as it is close enough to hatching. I normally wait until one has pipped then I cut the rest.

Like I said before, my experience lies with corn snakes so maybe it's a bit different with boids but I would think that if a baby is incapable of getting out of its own egg that it could be a genetic liability to its future offspring...? Is that not the case?

I cut after the first one pips.

Last year I cut last year, this year the clutch is being incubated at my friends house so I keep my hands off it them till they pip.....only 43 LONG days left

I cut my first clutch last night. It was just me being impatient I guess, but everything seems fine. I actualy got the egg slit then I cut the membrane seperately avoiding all veins as I was directed. 1 pastel 4 normals....bleh!

Better then dead eggs though, so I am happy :banana:

I clip eggs cause I hate waiting.. if I had my way they'd be born with labels of what morph and what sex they are.. LOL

Never mind, I thought I could resist waiting until the first one pips but I can’t :rolleyes:

I wait until the first one pips. A lot of times I'll widen the slits they've already made just so I can get a better look, I've also had some hatchlings that actually got their heads stuck when they pushed through a hole that was just a bit too small and couldn't back out of it. :rolleyes:

Yes, but BG is an expert.....all you rookies better learn how before you do it.


Never cut more than a V shape. Some people do, but sooner or later it will come back and bite them in their largest muscle. You know....the perfect one BG has.:D

Don't cut more than a couple days early either. You can, but you're taking a risk that's not needed. The morph isn't gonna change if you wait a few more days. Patience BG's leeetle ones....patience.

what do you use to cut?

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Originally Posted by merdcme

what do you use to cut?

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BG uses sharp scissors, but a lot of people use a razor blade.

I used scissors also, and waited till the first one pipped also.

and yes, a V only BG :P

I swore up and down i wouldnt this year. and i still caved. Im a dirty rotten cheater.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Big Gunns

BG uses sharp scissors, but a lot of people use a razor blade.

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i use Embroidery scissors. Super tiny, and very sharp. ( They are shaped like a crane)

Anyone written up a how to or a more detailed explanation for us newbies if not will some one

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Originally Posted by johnsonw84

Anyone written up a how to or a more detailed explanation for us newbies if not will some one

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Youtube is your friend.

Hi,

I find this to be a fairly re-assuring thread. :gj:


dr del

I use a standard razor blade and cut them around day 47 usually... I've never had an issue and am at ease knowing none can drown in the egg. Its pretty easy to do because the eggs are so soft. I just pinch and make a little slit and then cut out a window at the top. They are pretty hardy so for me i've never had an issue.

Alec

I cut them after day 50 if I'm really anxious about what might be hatching--otherwise, I either let them all pip on their own, or cut them after the first one pips.

I use scissors. I pinch up the egg shell, which is generally good and sunken by then, and start the cut on the pinched part, then just clip across the top. Veins...eh, I avoid the bigger ones if I see them, but it doesn't seem to matter much if you get one or two. I've never had a hatchling show any issues from having their egg cut, at least not yet. If I ever do, I'll probably stop cutting them altogether.

Also, I find I sometimes have to 'top off' the eggs with water if I cut them--I am concerned that the membranes inside will dry out, and interfere with the snake absorbing its yolk sac properly. So I refill them with water if the 'goo' level goes down.

I only did and would only do it after at least one of the babies pips. I wouldn't ever cut them even if it was close to the hatch date without pips just because I would be afraid of doing something to them.

As long as one is poking out though I figure the others would be right alonge behind him/her and it'll be okay. You gotta still be SUPER careful though!