Day 55... getting anxious!!

[Lolo76]

Oy, I'm about to go crazy! It's now day 55 of incubation, and still no little noses peeking out... I incubated at 89.4-89.6 fairly steadily throughout (closer to 90 in the first 2 weeks), and they dimpled right on schedule - all showing good veins and movement too, so I guess they're just not done cooking yet. They are a little dry compared to other eggs I've seen, but are fairly pliable when you touch them. I don't want to cut the eggs, mostly out of my own paranoia, but I'm assuming that would be okay at this point? And is there a day when you'd recommend cutting, if they haven't pipped by then?

C'mon out and see the world, little snakies!!

[sho220]

Normally you would be fine to cut, but it's up to you. Personally I'm okay with cutting at day 54 and on, depending on what the eggs look like.This should have given them enough time to develop, yet still be early enough to maybe take care of any tangled umbilicus problems...

[Quiet Tempest]

Oy, I'm about to go crazy! It's now day 55 of incubation, and still no little noses peeking out... I incubated at 89.4-89.6 fairly steadily throughout (closer to 90 in the first 2 weeks), and they dimpled right on schedule - all showing good veins and movement too, so I guess they're just not done cooking yet. They are a little dry compared to other eggs I've seen, but are fairly pliable when you touch them. I don't want to cut the eggs, mostly out of my own paranoia, but I'm assuming that would be okay at this point? And is there a day when you'd recommend cutting, if they haven't pipped by then?

C'mon out and see the world, little snakies!!

If you don't want to cut, you don't have to. I'd just give them a while longer. Sounds like everything is going just as it should. Looking forward to baby pics!

[Lolo76]

Thanks for the replies! I'll probably give them another day or two, even though my roommate is saying "CUT THEM!!"

If I were to cut the eggs, how would I recognize something like a tangled umbilicus? Would it be really obvious?

[Lolo76]

Here's how they look as of today... that moldy egg looks tasty, huh? The top two that are severely dented have been like that since week 2, due to an error my roomie made (while I was away). They're still kicking, though! Should I try separating the clutch now? I'm worried the one buried egg won't be able to emerge.



Terrible candling shot, but you get the idea...

[sho220]

Thanks for the replies! I'll probably give them another day or two, even though my roommate is saying "CUT THEM!!"

If I were to cut the eggs, how would I recognize something like a tangled umbilicus? Would it be really obvious?

There have been some really good threads here about this problem. Do a search for twisted umbilicus and you'll probably find some good reading. The basic idea is to give them enough time to develop, yet cut early enough to help any babies that may be twisted. If the umbilicus is twisted up, or around the baby, the baby may not be able to absorb yolk and may be under-developed. If you catch it in time, you may be able to shift the baby around to get it untangled and give the baby the chance to absorb the yolk...I guess it can be quite obvious when you cut open the egg. There will be a small baby and a sort of firm looking off-white/yellow mass next to it. If you find pics, you'll know what I'm talking about. I've never seen it firsthand...just from threads here...Just one of the things to consider when pondering the cut or don't cut decision...

[Evilme5229]

I cut my eggs on day 58, I was a first timer. I was paranoid too, my husband can def. tell ya that. Everyone of them is fine. Just be careful as you can. I do not know much about the whole twisted umbilicus and how common it is. I would do some research before worrying tons about it.

Being a first-time anything can be scary, take deep breaths and relax. I'm looking forward to my next clutch. Vanillas and vanilla pastels!

[Lolo76]

Thanks to both of you for the advice. They're still in the eggs, and I still haven't cut... I'll wait until day 58 (Thursday) before I suck it up and do that, unless one or more pips before then. Sheesh, the wait is killing me! It's especially annoying since I have a solid-door fridge incubator, so I have to resist the urge to open it 10x/day to check on them.

[Evilme5229]

What snakes did you breed? I'm going to be ripping my hair out with anticipation when my pastel x pewter lays eggs. Its always nail biting for waiting lol.

[Lolo76]

What snakes did you breed? I'm going to be ripping my hair out with anticipation when my pastel x pewter lays eggs. Its always nail biting for waiting lol.

I bred a normal girl to a pastel & mojave... nothing super unique here, just a beginner's clutch. You can see the results on my new thread!