candling

[Pirranha]

Anyone have an idea how to candle eggs still being guarded by there mother?
Mine is in a rubbermaid and its been about a week since they were laid and id love to see some red inside them,but i dont wanna bother the momma to much.I tried holding a flashlight up to the bottom ofthe rubbermaid but i cant get it close enough to make enough light shine through the eggs to see inside them.

-Pat

[tigerlily]

I would guess it's probably just better to leave them alone. I wouldn't want to upset the mother, nor risk any damage to the eggs. That's just a guess though.

[Spaniard]

I would agree with tigerlilly.

Whether you candle them or not it isn't going to change whats going on in the egg. Where as if you do decide to candle it would just be to satisfy your own curiousity and in the process you could lose and egg. Or get tagged by an angry mommy.

[Louis Kirkland]

and quickly!

[Shaun J]

I thought you are supposed to take the eggs out as soon as they are all laid?

[tigerlily]

I thought you are supposed to take the eggs out as soon as they are all laid?

That is correct for those who will place the eggs in an incubator. Some people use a technique called maternal incubation, where they leave the eggs with the mother.

[Shaun J]

Does it work just as good as manual incubation?

[Kilo]

That is correct for those who will place the eggs in an incubator. Some people use a technique called maternal incubation, where they leave the eggs with the mother.

Also the method for those who cannot afford to make/buy an incubator!

[tigerlily]

Does it work just as good as manual incubation?

I believe external incubation is better, because it allows for a more controlled environment for the eggs. Even more important is it allows the mother to return to eating and regaining weight lost. I can't see the advantages of maturnal incubation, except for the cost savings on not having to purchase or build an incubator. I plan on breeding this year and have an incubator on it's way.