Awful Egg Experience

[Renefoy]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I just feel so...deflated from this experience lol. The first baby to pip is the only one that has survived and he seems to be doing well. He hasn't left his egg yet but he pipped so early that I'm not really worried. I know I couldn't have really prevented this but I still feel awful for the poor babies. Better luck next time I guess...

[WingedWolfPsion]

Did the bowl baby die, then? If it is still hanging in there, even if it appears extremely weak, I would not lose hope for it.

I have had runts hatch before that were VERY weak with poor muscle tone, but after a few days out of the egg, they actually gain strength and then go on to thrive.

[Renefoy]

Yes, the bowl baby did die...he had not absorbed any yolk, was not breathing, and was starting to become stiff. I don't really think he had a chance from the start...

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Your humidity was "within range" but I'm sure most would agree that 100% humidity is best to prevent any dimpling or drying. Condensation would be caused by leaky, or bad eggs, or a lid on the egg box which was not tightly sealed. Aside from occasionally candling, or treating for mold, the egg box should not be opened until the last couple weeks of incubation. Then only a few times a week for a few seconds to exchange air and to remove condensation from the lid so it does not drip on the eggs. About the only way to achieve 100% humidity without getting the eggs wet is by going substrateless and using a thick grate or a double grate so there is no chance the eggs will come in contact with any water. Or by using a larger egg box so the outer perimiter substrate can be moist while the areas the eggs are in are not overly wet.

Dont lose hope or get discouraged by this. Just try again. You will have better luck with the next clutch. Sometimes eggs just dont develop right no matter what. I have had 2 clutches this year which had bad eggs that looked like large perfect white eggs at first. 2 of these from my third clutch even candled perfect with veins. Then they just rotted for no reason while the other eggs in the clutch went full term and hatched perfect babies. Nature weeds out the imperfections sometimes.

[Gavin Cooper]

Sorry for your loss.

As already stated so I won't ramble on too much. As much as this sucks now take pride in the fact that you still have a nice little Normal that is doing fine.

Everyone has gone through or will go through what you just experienced at one time or another.

Chin up and better luck this fall.


Gavin