Incubation medium

Shrapnailed · Jan 20, 2015

I have my second clutch on the way and im trying to get everything in order to not lose this clutch as well( one of the two from the first clutch is still hanging in there and now in the incubator). However, i am low on funds and the wifes patience. So, here is my question for everyone: Is Coconut fiber a good incubation medium or should i push my luck and try to get some hatch rite or perilite or something to that nature?

SCGeckos · Jan 20, 2015

You can incubate eggs in many different things. Coco fiber, moss, vermiculite, perlite, clay aggregate (very similar if not the same product as super hatch or supreme hatch). As long as the proper amount of moisture is used any of these will do the job quite well.

I personally prefer the clay aggregate, perlite, or any form of suspended incubation.

For new breeders the suspended incubation method is the best because the eggs never come in contact with the medium. This method eliminates the potential for getting the medium to wet and killing the eggs which is a very common mistake with new breeders.

Shrapnailed · Jan 20, 2015

SCGeckos said:
You can incubate eggs in many different things. Coco fiber, moss, vermiculite, perlite, clay aggregate (very similar if not the same product as super hatch or supreme hatch). As long as the proper amount of moisture is used any of these will do the job quite well.

I personally prefer the clay aggregate, perlite, or any form of suspended incubation.

For new breeders the suspended incubation method is the best because the eggs never come in contact with the medium. This method eliminates the potential for getting the medium to wet and killing the eggs which is a very common mistake with new breeders.

Thanks for replying! First person to reply to any of my threads! I am going to have to stick with coco fiber since i have a huge bag of it and it needs to be used up before I purchase anything else. I have three GEOs to use and that should be plenty for this breeding season. I think each holds 8 eggs each and they all should fit nicely inside of my exo terra. I have read that I should poke holes in the deli cups. Is that true or just open the container once a week?

SCGeckos · Jan 20, 2015

No problem! Since you are using coco fiber I would absolutely poke ventilation holes. You may have to add a bit more water a couple times throughout the incubation period but without ventilation holes the coco fiber may have a tendency to grow mold or bacteria. I would used distilled water or RO water to reduce the potential for bacteria growth when the using coco fiber. The biggest thing to remember when it comes to incubating the eggs directly in the medium is the they can tolerate being a bit to dry MUCH better than to wet. To wet will kill eggs very quickly. Hope this helps.

Shrapnailed · Jan 20, 2015

SCGeckos said:
No problem! Since you are using coco fiber I would absolutely poke ventilation holes. You may have to add a bit more water a couple times throughout the incubation period but without ventilation holes the coco fiber may have a tendency to grow mold or bacteria. I would used distilled water or RO water to reduce the potential for bacteria growth when the using coco fiber. The biggest thing to remember when it comes to incubating the eggs directly in the medium is the they can tolerate being a bit to dry MUCH better than to wet. To wet will kill eggs very quickly. Hope this helps.

Yes! This greatly helps! The one egg that appears to still be in fighting shape has had mildew trying to start on the egg. I have cleaned it with a cotten swab a couple of times and it seems to stay the growth. The eggs dented rather fast as I did not have them in a proper incubator because I wasnt expecting any eggs (female and male had been seperated for two weeks).

Is tap water not recommended? And to get more fertile eggs do I have to keep mating her every two week period or because she laid her first clutch I do not have to mate her anymore for the season? I am a first timer at this and sorry if I have lots of questions. I know a good bit on caring for them just not the breeding aspect or egg incubation. I have found lots of helpful information on this website and on youtube, but cant find an answer as to getting the second clutch.

Kristi23 · Jan 27, 2015

Shrapnailed said:
Yes! This greatly helps! The one egg that appears to still be in fighting shape has had mildew trying to start on the egg. I have cleaned it with a cotten swab a couple of times and it seems to stay the growth. The eggs dented rather fast as I did not have them in a proper incubator because I wasnt expecting any eggs (female and male had been seperated for two weeks).

Is tap water not recommended? And to get more fertile eggs do I have to keep mating her every two week period or because she laid her first clutch I do not have to mate her anymore for the season? I am a first timer at this and sorry if I have lots of questions. I know a good bit on caring for them just not the breeding aspect or egg incubation. I have found lots of helpful information on this website and on youtube, but cant find an answer as to getting the second clutch.

I use filtered tap water with no issues. If the egg continues to mold, it may be bad, but keep incubating it anyways. Toss it once it smells really bad. That's a sign it has gone bad. Good luck!

Incubation medium

Shrapnailed

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SCGeckos

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Kristi23

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