cutting eggs

[zina10]

So I see that most people cut eggs. Some a couple days before the clutch should hatch, others a few days and up to a week before the clutch should hatch.

Has anyone ever had a "bad" experience due to cutting the eggs ? And if so, how early were they cut and what happened ?

I know that some say cutting the egg can actually save a hatchlings life.

Any life saving or life loosing stories related to egg cutting ?

[PitOnTheProwl]

I lost a BEL a couple years ago, cut it and found a tied umbilical cord, unwrapped it and put it back but didn't have any luck.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The earlier you cut the longer the animal has to be exposed to bacteria and drying out.

Ideally cut after the first animal pips or 2 days before they are due (that requires a setup that is well round and that allows you to know for sure when the animals will hatch)

There is pros and cons to cutting and not cutting.

Not cutting I have seen hatchlings drown because their egg tooth broke (rare but it happens)

Cutting I saved an hatchling with a I have twisted umbilicus now the issue is that they genereally happen toward the end of incubation and can be due when the hatchling is startled by either cutting, constant checking after the egg is cut, or frequent candling prior to cutting.

I still cut but I usually cut at day 60 at which time my hatchlings are starting to pip.

[zina10]

Thank you, both !!

I have heard about cutting to save a hatchling with twisted umbilicus, but never thought that the cutting might possibly be causing it.

I want to be prepared and I want to do this right. I've only hatched out one clutch, and that was a complete and utter surprise clutch out of a "rescue" giant BP female I used to have. Just found her on eggs one day and knew NOTHING about it. After quick googling I set up a Hovabator and managed to get the clutch to hatch, but I never cut. They hatched right around day 60 and all were fine (and huge, between 89 and 116 gr, I had 5)

I feel that was beginners luck. I want to be better prepared this time and do everything right.

What I'm still not sure about after reading some breeders blogs, they mention that their clutches hatch around day 54 or 55, so they cut around day 50. But if my clutch (or others) hatch around day 60, then cutting on day 50 seems WAY early. I am not sure I want to cut at all. Certainly not out of curiosity, but if it may save a hatchling, then I would do so. I have watched youtube videos on how to do it. But I'm sure in person, when holding that egg, it is a little more nerve wracking.

Do you have a favorite kind of scissors ? Do you dip it in alcohol prior to cutting ?

I'm really grateful for all the tips and info

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I use a small nail scissors which is always disinfected with alchool before and after.

[PghBall]

As stated above, I only cut after I start seeing pips.

[zina10]

Thank you, all !!!

I will get some good, sharp little scissors to have ready and I will be patient and wait for the first pip (or day 60?) before cutting.

[Freakie_frog]

I use to do the whole clip on day 52-54 thing but over the last few years I've had babies crawl out to soon, really really bad twisted cords, and a whole host of other issues that have cost me babies. These days I'll let babies pip on their own and I've noticed a difference! Babies come out stronger and more willing to take a prey item the first time its offered. I've had measurably better feeding responses out of babies that I allow to pip and crawl out on their own vs those that I clip and all that jazz.. Also the animals that after day 60 don't pip and I have to clip the egg to rescue the baby, appear to simply be weaker animals across the board vs the ones that pip and crawl out on their own.

[zina10]

Thank you !!

All your replies really sealed it for me, I'm not going to cut "ahead" of time. Not unless I have some that are over due to do so.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I use a good old single edge razor blade. Throw it out when Im done.
Mainly the reason people cut is to see what was made.
I personally think twisted umbilicals are cause from candling too much.....