Help with eggs :,(

[stickyalvinroll]

I've never had any problems any year with eggs molding or dimpling. This year however my first clutch is looking kinda bad. It's day 20 for them and they look like this. What should I do right now?

The temps fluctuate between 87-90. I can also see the embryo moving when I candle them

[Albert Clark]

Wow! Sorry to see this. First thing that comes to mind is to check the saturation of the substrate? Maybe it's too wet, and what percentage is the humidity at?

[stickyalvinroll]

I don't check the humidity. I mix the vermiculite 1:1 and it worked everytime. So you think it's too dry or too wet if the eggs look like that?

[Albert Clark]

I don't check the humidity. I mix the vermiculite 1:1 and it worked everytime. So you think it's too dry or too wet if the eggs look like that?

I think it may be too wet. Do you use a diffuser to keep the eggs off the substrate?

[stickyalvinroll]

I think it may be too wet. Do you use a diffuser to keep the eggs off the substrate?

Diffuser as in like a mister? No I don't use that all I do is mix 1:1 water with substrate

[chilliscale]

It is a plastic "mesh" of sorts. They go in fluorescent light fixtures. It keeps the eggs from coming in direct contact with the substrate. When I have too much moisture is simple sprinkle some dry substrate on the tub rather than move the eggs into new tub. Some people are using food powder or something on moldy eggs but I have no experience with this

[chilliscale]

Here's a link to a light diffuser. They are real cheap at hardware stores
https://www.zoro.com/value-brand-lig...g&gclsrc=aw.ds

[rlditmars]

If you are doing everything as you have before, it could just be the calcification of this clutch is different. I too use a one to one mix by weight and it hasn't ever seemed too wet.

You say your temp is fluctuating between 87 and 90. That seems like quite a bit of swing. What type of incubator are you using and where is the thermostat probe placement? Is that just a hydrometer probe in the pic or is that the T-stat probe?

All in all they don't look too bad. Some times eggs just look rough but unless they are severely collapsed, I wouldn't worry to much. The surface texture may look awful but unless there is heavy mold it's not usually a problem. I have seen some clutches on here that have looked as rough as a cob and yet they still hatched successfully.

Best of luck to you.

[stickyalvinroll]

Yeah when they were laid, they didn't look too good. So I guess it's the calcification of that clutch. First year female

[Mike41793]

calcium deficiency but they could still hatch fine. the one on the left there is getting water dripped on it or something. make an adjustment to stop that from happening otherwise that'll mess up that egg. otherwise everything looks ok to me. good luck!