Setting up an egg box. The K.I.S.S. way.

[rabernet]

Hatchrite runs about $12 something per bag -- will fill one maybe two tubs maybe more -- depending on tub size and how deep you like it -- and yes you run the risk of it being dried out or too wet - and that leaves you where.

I've not heard of Hatchrite being too wet out of the bag, and I didn't have a problem with any of mine being too dry. The bags clearly tell you how to deal with it when it's too dry (which I didn't experience).

But I did take my last clutch off/out of the Hatchrite right before I cut them and put them on damp paper towels to keep the Hatchrite from getting any egg yolk on them, so I have a batch that I will re-hydrate this year and see about re-cycling it this year. I didn't do that with the first two clutches and tossed their Hatchrite.

[jglass38]

Vermiculite all day long. I wouldn't touch Hatchrite for Balls. No thanks. It's not affordable for anyone doing more than 2-3 clutches. It's not that hard to mix Vermiculite!

[Emilio]

Vermiculite perlite and a piece of crate to keep the egg's off the substrate I just feel better not having to worry about the moisture.

[rabernet]

Vermiculite all day long. I wouldn't touch Hatchrite for Balls. No thanks. It's not affordable for anyone doing more than 2-3 clutches. It's not that hard to mix Vermiculite!

I'm curious, besides price (which doesn't matter to me on the Hatchrite), why wouldn't you touch it? For me, it was perfect and worry free!

[jglass38]

I'm curious, besides price (which doesn't matter to me on the Hatchrite), why wouldn't you touch it? For me, it was perfect and worry free!

I like to mix the vermiculite myself. I know what it should feel like and I'm comfortable using it. I don't believe that Hatchrite is a set it and forget it incubation medium. I have talked to a couple people who have had to add water halfway through which to me defeats the supposed purpose of it. I mix my vermiculite, put the eggs in, seal the box and don't open it until the eggs start to dent. Then I open every day or two for a minute for air exchange. No need to add water at any point in the incubation process.

I know you said the price doesn't matter to you, but if you plan on doing more than a few clutches, how can it not?

[rabernet]

I like to mix the vermiculite myself. I know what it should feel like and I'm comfortable using it. I don't believe that Hatchrite is a set it and forget it incubation medium. I have talked to a couple people who have had to add water halfway through which to me defeats the supposed purpose of it. I mix my vermiculite, put the eggs in, seal the box and don't open it until the eggs start to dent. Then I open every day or two for a minute for air exchange. No need to add water at any point in the incubation process.

I know you said the price doesn't matter to you, but if you plan on doing more than a few clutches, how can it not?

Even if I did 10 clutches, $120 is no larger expenditure to me than what a Herpstat or Helix thermostat costs me and I don't find that to be too expensive for my animals.

The great thing is we're learning that there's more than one way to do things successfully. Hatchrite worked well for me, and I have no compelling reason to try something else right now! What I don't have is space to store a HUGE bag of Vermiculite from what I don't use.

BTW, you know I have to pick on your avatar - that BP.net shirt you ordered is too small for you dude!

[jglass38]

Even if I did 10 clutches, $120 is no larger expenditure to me than what a Herpstat or Helix thermostat costs me and I don't find that to be too expensive for my animals.

The great thing is we're learning that there's more than one way to do things successfully. Hatchrite worked well for me, and I have no compelling reason to try something else right now! What I don't have is space to store a HUGE bag of Vermiculite from what I don't use.

BTW, you know I have to pick on your avatar - that BP.net shirt you ordered is too small for you dude!

No doubt Robin! Go with what works! Everyone has their way and over the years I have learned that sometimes there is no right and wrong, just different.

Haha, nice pic, right! Kelly will never be able to wear her shirt now that I stretched it out!

[Adam_Wysocki]

Even if I did 10 clutches, $120 is no larger expenditure to me than what a Herpstat or Helix thermostat costs me and I don't find that to be too expensive for my animals.

I'm a firm believer of spending whatever I need to in order to care for my animals as best as possible too, but ... if I'm looking at 200+ clutches this coming season spending $72 in vermiculite vs. $2,400.00 in hatchrite just seems like a no brainer to me. Unless of course, someone from the company that makes hatchrite would like to comp me what I need for this coming season ... then I'd be more than happy to tell anyone that wants to listen about hatchrite.

NOTE: This was a cheesy and shameless attempt to get something for free. I didn't expect it to work and I certainly have nothing bad to say about hatchrite. I think that whatever people feel works best for them and their husbandry methods is awesome! The point is to have fun with this stuff and to enjoy your animals.

-adam

[Adam_Wysocki]

Haha, nice pic, right! Kelly will never be able to wear her shirt now that I stretched it out!

The way I do laundry, it'll be small enough to fit one of the boys after a couple of washes ... is it hot water for cotton??? I get so confused.

I still can't believe she let you put that on ... you two were out of control!!!

-adam

[rabernet]

I'm a firm believer of spending whatever I need to in order to care for my animals as best as possible too, but ... if I'm looking at 200+ clutches this coming season spending $72 in vermiculite vs. $2,400.00 in hatchrite just seems like a no brainer to me. Unless of course, someone from the company that makes hatchrite would like to comp me what I need for this coming season ... then I'd be more than happy to tell anyone that wants to listen about hatchrite.

NOTE: This was a cheesy and shameless attempt to get something for free. I didn't expect it to work and I certainly have nothing bad to say about hatchrite. I think that whatever people feel works best for them and their husbandry methods is awesome! The point is to have fun with this stuff and to enjoy your animals.

-adam

Guess you need to call Brian or Kev and get their hook-up on bulk Hatchrite! Somehow, I doubt they're spending that much!