Candling/checking eggs

[BlueMoonExotics]

I'm used to my crested geckos who are incubated at room temp (about 72 in my room) so I know I can check on them every once in awhile just to make sure the eggs are still good and maybe see the babies moving. I'm new with ball python eggs though and their temp needs to be kept quite a bit higher than my gecko eggs so I'm just wondering how often do you normally open up the incubator and undo the press n seal to check on your eggies? I get nervous even opening the incubator because of the temp drop but I'd like to know if the eggs can tolerate it just long enough to do a few minute check on them?

[coldbloodaddict]

I don't Candle eggs (never saw the point) and I only open the egg tubs a week or so before they hatch.

[C&H Exotic Morphs]

We open our tubs about once every week or so.
We did have a clutch that hatched last week that we had to open a couple times a week to check on and wipe off the mold on a couple of boob eggs.
In our limited experience opening them hasn't had any negative effects.
As far as candling we candle when they are first laid to check for veins and then in the last couple weeks if we want to see movement or try to pick out patterns on the babies.
Our last clutch we were able to pick out 4 of the 5 Spinnerblasts and the Bumblebee in the clutch! So that was kind of cool.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I candle when they are laid, then they go in the incubator and I don´t touch the egg box until the last week of incubation.
There is no need to mess with the eggs or open the egg box before that.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

I only candle if someone wants a tutorial, or a photo. Personally, I don't see the point. If they hatch, they hatch. If they don't, they don't.

I seal the tubs when I put the eggs in, with press and stick. Then I open it to let a bit of air in around day 50. Once they start to pip, I replace the press and stick with the lid for the tub (with a couple holes predrilled).

[BlueMoonExotics]

For those of you that aren't opening the tubs at all I'm just wondering how you check for bad eggs? Maybe your container has a see through lid? Mine have white lids which makes it hard to see all of the eggs unless I take the container out and open the lid. Also, I've heard of people drilling 2 holes (one on each side of the tub) for air ventilation and some people say don't drill any holes. I'm assuming those of you who aren't opening the tubs at all have a hole or two drilled in the container? I tried that at first but it was drying out the incubation medium rather quickly and wasn't holding humidity very well, so I sealed them up. For my gecko eggs, I just open the container once a week to allow for air exchange.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

For those of you that aren't opening the tubs at all I'm just wondering how you check for bad eggs? Maybe your container has a see through lid? Mine have white lids which makes it hard to see all of the eggs unless I take the container out and open the lid. Also, I've heard of people drilling 2 holes (one on each side of the tub) for air ventilation and some people say don't drill any holes. I'm assuming those of you who aren't opening the tubs at all have a hole or two drilled in the container? I tried that at first but it was drying out the incubation medium rather quickly and wasn't holding humidity very well, so I sealed them up. For my gecko eggs, I just open the container once a week to allow for air exchange.

I have absolutly no holes. No air in, or out, for the first 50 days.

If there is a bad egg, then there is a bad egg. No big deal.

I should say that I use large tubs, I think they're deep 20qt tubs. If you're only using a 6qt tub, then you may want to let fresh air in once a week or so.

[SlitherinSisters]

I have absolutly no holes. No air in, or out, for the first 50 days.

If there is a bad egg, then there is a bad egg. No big deal.

I should say that I use large tubs, I think they're deep 20qt tubs. If you're only using a 6qt tub, then you may want to let fresh air in once a week or so.

After thinking about it more, I'm sure there is no need for air exchange until they hatch. I don't see how air could be exchanged through the shell of the egg. This just proves it I guess!



I open mine here and there throughout the process to add more water when needed. I do like to candle when I put them in to see if there are any problem eggs. I also like to candle again at the end when you can see the pattern through the egg, only because I think it's neat

Checking on them all the time won't do anything for them unless there is a humidity issue. If you aren't sure about your humidity you should keep an eye on them. I suggest going substrateless so you don't have to worry so much about humidity. It's just easier to soak the substrate and get your eggs off of it.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

For those of you that aren't opening the tubs at all I'm just wondering how you check for bad eggs? Maybe your container has a see through lid? Mine have white lids which makes it hard to see all of the eggs unless I take the container out and open the lid. Also, I've heard of people drilling 2 holes (one on each side of the tub) for air ventilation and some people say don't drill any holes. I'm assuming those of you who aren't opening the tubs at all have a hole or two drilled in the container? I tried that at first but it was drying out the incubation medium rather quickly and wasn't holding humidity very well, so I sealed them up. For my gecko eggs, I just open the container once a week to allow for air exchange.

There are no hole in my tubs (holes means more moisture will evaporate) and I do not open the tubs for air exchange before the last week, again no need to mess with your egg boxes during incubation even with smaller tubs.

As far as my tubs I can see inside the tubs just fine without opening them. I am using those http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-...of-10/20699636 in the 7 quarts version mainly.

[Chris_Wilson]

I only candle if someone wants a tutorial, or a photo. Personally, I don't see the point. If they hatch, they hatch. If they don't, they don't.

I seal the tubs when I put the eggs in, with press and stick. Then I open it to let a bit of air in around day 50. Once they start to pip, I replace the press and stick with the lid for the tub (with a couple holes predrilled).

When you say press and stick, are you referring to plastic wrap? That would make it much easier to see whats going on without opening. I learn something new every day!