What causes stubby tails?

[rufretic]

So now we know my temps were a couple degrees too warm but do we even think that would cause such a deformity? I did also get one kinked baby in each clutch. No deaths though, they all were alive.

[JodanOrNoDan]

Ah, more data. I am going with heat. That said, I had a single kinked baby this year. No heat spikes that I know of. Everything else has hatched well but I have four clutches to go.

[Hannahshissyfix]

So now we know my temps were a couple degrees too warm but do we even think that would cause such a deformity? I did also get one kinked baby in each clutch. No deaths though, they all were alive.

I still find it odd that if it were only related to your heat being a few degrees higher it would cause the same defect in so many babies. with thousands of other breeders out there using slightly different temps or just faulty incubators it seems it would be a commonly documented result of temps being too high at this point. I guess you'll never know for sure but adjusting the temp for your next clutches can be a starting point to rule that out.

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[rufretic]

I still find it odd that if it were only related to your heat being a few degrees higher it would cause the same defect in so many babies. with thousands of other breeders out there using slightly different temps or just faulty incubators it seems it would be a commonly documented result of temps being too high at this point. I guess you'll never know for sure but adjusting the temp for your next clutches can be a starting point to rule that out.

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I actually agree with you, it just doesn’t make sense that nobody has seen this before. The problem is, I can’t find anything else to blame. It will be interesting to see if the 3rd clutch has the same issue. If it does then there is no doubt something is very wrong with this incubator setup. I would like to test another clutch with the new adjusted temps before I scrap this incubator but I’m not sure when my next clutch will come and I’d hate to risk multiple clutches if I have to wait until next season. I guess for now I need to just wait and see how this last clutch turns out.

[Hannahshissyfix]

I actually agree with you, it just doesn’t make sense that nobody has seen this before. The problem is, I can’t find anything else to blame. It will be interesting to see if the 3rd clutch has the same issue. If it does then there is no doubt something is very wrong with this incubator setup. I would like to test another clutch with the new adjusted temps before I scrap this incubator but I’m not sure when my next clutch will come and I’d hate to risk multiple clutches if I have to wait until next season. I guess for now I need to just wait and see how this last clutch turns out.

The other confusing part is you said it was a used incubator that previously caused no issues. Im almost more leaning towards something with your adults via chemical exposure, water, diet. Any switch in feeder rat supply? Maybe some odd chance the feeder rats were on a poor diet that passed on some vitamin deficiency? What do you wash your tubs with? Local water supply have something going on with it?

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[rufretic]

The other confusing part is you said it was a used incubator that previously caused no issues. Im almost more leaning towards something with your adults via chemical exposure, water, diet. Any switch in feeder rat supply? Maybe some odd chance the feeder rats were on a poor diet that passed on some vitamin deficiency? What do you wash your tubs with? Local water supply have something going on with it?

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I don’t use chemicals to clean, only water. No change in rats that I know of. I’m on well water so I suppose the water could have an issue, I should get it tested. My family and I drink bottled water so I have not had the well water tested in years.

[Alter-Echo]

Well water eh? Pesticides can seep into well water and are known to cause birth defects.....

[Bogertophis]

Well water eh? Pesticides can seep into well water and are known to cause birth defects.....

Pesticides aren't the only risk, all sorts of things can be an issue, stuff like heavy metals, nitrites/nitrates, etc. No telling the effects on snakes.

https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/pot...-their-impacts

[rufretic]

Well water eh? Pesticides can seep into well water and are known to cause birth defects.....

I don’t use chemicals on my property but who knows what the neighbors are putting on their lawns.

[rufretic]

So far this third clutch is perfect, 2 out of 5 so far. It’s weird but seems that extra degree or two was enough to cause birth defects. If it was only one clutch I would of said it was just a genetic thing but it looks like it was just incubation error on my part.


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