54 day old fertile egg collapsed... what to do?

[desertgecko]

I have 2 eggs in the incubator right now that are 54 days old (inc at 85). One egg has stayed yellow all the way through so I'm assuming it hasn't grown (it was fertile) but since it hasn't molded I've left it.

The other egg was doing really well. I can see a mass in the egg and it candles pinky red. I'm sure I saw a baby move a few days ago but it may have been my imagination! But 2 days ago it started to dent on the side. By the time I got home from work, the top of it had also collapsed a little, like the air had come out. I hoped that meant it was about to hatch but I think it would have done by now.

Is it safe to say it didn't make it and to pip it?

 

[fallen_angel]

This is always a tough question and decision to make. Every person is different, some people would pip it (I personally would, most likely), but most wouldn't. The way that I decide for myself is just going by my instincts. Go with what your heart is telling you to do. If you truly feel that you should wait, then do so. And then if pipping it is what your gut is telling you to do, then by all means, do it! Never question your instincts/gut/intuition/whatever you want to call it! Good luck!!

 

[acpart]

I have had some eggs look plump and then hatch that day and others get more and more dented for 3-4 days and then hatch, so it could go either way.

Aliza

 

[desertgecko]

Thanks for the replies. I decided to open the egg as I was sure the egg was dead and I was right. The baby was only half grown. Fully developed head, and one front leg but the rest was just a stump (no back legs or tail). I guess it died a while ago as even if the rest of it had developed it still looked too small to be hatching now. I've got pictures if anyone wants to see but they are a little graphic so I'm not sure.

It just goes to show that you need healthy geckos to have healthy eggs and babies. The female was laying infertile eggs every 2 weeks which took a lot out of her. She then stopped eating and lost a lot of weight. She would only hand feed for a long time. Even though she was on her own, she laid these eggs (after 2 month of being on her own) so she retained the sperm. I was gutted at the time cos she had gained weight and I thought she was getting better. The eggs were very soft, but I put that down to lack of calcium (due to not eating). The female is doing really well now and I hope she will be in good shape by next year. At least I know the male and female (both RAPTOR's) can produce fertile eggs

 

[Kristi23]

I"m sorry the baby didn't make it.

 

[fallen_angel]

So sorry to hear about all of the problems that the female had, and sorry for the egg as well Staying positive is what's most important though, and it's good to see that you are. I am glad that the female is doing much better now :heart: Best of luck to you!