Egg box Size; Separating eggs?

[ChadOwens]

I will have my first few clutches to be laid with in the coming weeks and have a few questions.

I have seen eggs situated individually in egg boxes rather than stuck together. I would like to use this method due to space constraints in my incubator. How do I go about keeping the eggs from clumping. If they do clump, can they be saparated?

What size eggs tubs are used for a 6-7 egg clutch. Will they fit in a shoebox tub or do I need to go larger?

Thanks for any help you can offer

[AcePythons]

I asked this question a while back. The response I got is that in order to separate the eggs with any chance of success of not tearing them, you need to catch them within an hour of being laid. The long you wait the higher risk of tearing occurs.

My current incubator is VERY small (unfortunately) and won't fit the typical 6qt sterilite tubs. I would end up having to separate the eggs and that scares me unless I caught them right when it was happening.

I am buying a wine fridge and converting it into an incubator so I can fit the 6 or 12 qt tubs in it so I won't have to worry about separating them. I don't think it's worth risking ruining any of the eggs. That egg could be your one multiple gene animal in the clutch (example).

And to answer the other part - from the videos I've watched, yes a 6qt/shoebox tub will fit 6-7 eggs.

[Bill Buchman]

I separate MANY of my clutches largely BECAUSE I use 6 qrt. boxes. I have never paid any mind to how many hours they have been under the female -- 6 - 36 -- no matter. Have never ripped even one. Just be careful. You get a feel for doing it after a few clutches. Good luck.

****** I have a nine egg clutch in a shoebox right now -- it was a tight fit!!!! Seven should be no problem if you arrange them just so!!