2011 was my first season breeding and after lots of questions, videos and forums I used the following method:
Tub was dependent upon clutch size, I used a 6 qt. for my 4 egg clutch and 15 qt. for my 12, 8 and 10 egg clutches. I cut the plastic egg crate to fit the bottom of the box. I used vermiculite only, mine was sealed and dry as a bone. I used equal parts vermiculite and water (by weight) mixed thoroughly. Being my first time, a went by weight as opposed to feel. I placed the egg crate on top of the mix and laid the eggs on the crate without separating the eggs until later on the incubation process. Honestly, I was just to nervous to separate them until after they had sweated quite a bit. I put the lid on the box. I didn't drill holes or use any cling wrap. I labeled the box, placed the box in the incubator, marked the calender and that was basically it. I looked in on them every 3-4 days, opened the lid for a little air. I separated the eggs probably around 44-45 days. I had 34 eggs, all pipped between 51-52 days. They were out by 53-54 with only one poor little guy that had some deformity and died. I also prepared the boxes and had them in the incubator for 1-2 days before I expected eggs to by laid. Hope this helps, good luck everyone.
