denting eggs

[desertgecko]

Just a quick question about eggs. If the eggs are starting to dent from underneath, what does this mean? Maybe the vermiculite isn't damp enough? I use the ratio of 1.1 I think. I weigh the tub, zero it. Add x amount a vermiculite, zero it, then add the same amount of water. Although last time I used perlite, does vermiculite need to be wetter?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Halley]

I don’t think I 100% understand what you are asking. Are you saying they are denting out, or denting in? How long have they been cooking? What temp? Do you have pics?

 

[GeckoGathering]

water.water,everywhere

Just a quick question about eggs. If the eggs are starting to dent from underneath, what does this mean? Maybe the vermiculite isn't damp enough? I use the ratio of 1.1 I think. I weigh the tub, zero it. Add x amount a vermiculite, zero it, then add the same amount of water. Although last time I used perlite, does vermiculite need to be wetter?

Thanks for any advice

Perlite is what Albey's water ratio is set up with.
Vermiculite and Perlite have different purposes. I have talked with the Hoffman Company, makers of both products. The perlite use will set your egg in humidity around it because it's purpose is for drainage, allowing the water to go to the bottom creating humidity. Vermiculite's purpose is to retain water so its use will set your egg in water. I agree both will hatch eggs and some persons using vermiculite will support it and they have a method that has worked for them. ..........but IMHO you will have more questions, more problem eggs, and less good hatchings when vermiculite is used.

IMHO.........You have way too much water in the mix. I have an opinion on the denting (if it wasn't there when you put the eggs in) but until I prove it to myself, I won't speculate on what happening. To combat that my #1 suggestion is going to perlite with the Weight of Perlite X .8 = water....
no lid holes......pop the lid off on an avg. of once a week or check for moisture hanging on the inside of the lid. Don't allow it to be dripping on the
tops of the eggs.....this is a good to go till hatching method.
Now if you bought a bunch of vermiculite and don't want to change I would probably start by wetting down the bottom 3/4 of your container of vermiculite..........then wet and press out the upper 1/4 so it is just on the
damp side.............No holes in lid but if lots of moisture keeps appearing on the inside of the lid......put holes in it. Again you don't want water dripping on the egg..................last year I had 2 hatchlings for 12 eggs. This year I am
10 for 10 with 10 eggs waiting. My changes have certainly made a difference
for me...............But a lot of people out there have opinions on ways that work for them. And I know part of them are with vermiculite useage. Take care. / HJ

...take care / HJ

 

[desertgecko]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry my post was a little confusing. The eggs are only 3 days old. They were perfectly laid, so were fine when they went into the incubator. They are starting to dent inwards, but on the underside of the egg, not the top. Like if you pick the egg up and look underneath you will see it denting. I will try to get a pic later.

The tub in the incubator has no holes and is air tight. This was my problem last time and eggs kept drying out. Lots of condensation is on the lid, but I don't think it's dripping on the eggs.

Thanks for the tip, I will add more water and see what happens!

Edit: The temp is 29.4 which is about 84 - 85.

 

[Halley]

If they are denting inwards, and are only that old. I might suggest putting a damp paper towel on them. I got a some that I thought there was no way they where going to hatch (haven’t actually hatched) as they where very dehydrated, it took 2 days, but the perked back up, with the paper towel method.

 

[eyelids]

In my experience eggs dented on the bottom always end up being infertile... With that ratio of water to vermiculite they are unlikely dehydrated, but don't pitch them until you've tried 'the paper towel method' as Nick mentioned...

 

[GeckoGathering]

Thanks for the tip, I will add more water and see what happens!

IMO you are going the wrong direction by adding more water. If you have moisture on the inside of the lid you have too much moisture in the container already.

I haven't proved this theory yet, but IMO here is what I think is going on. Too wet of conditions softens the egg shell, pulling moisture out. That and with the weight of the egg on a soft bottom side causes the denting.
Since the vermiculite material's purpose is to absorb moisture it makes this more app to happen over Perlite, a drainage material that does not absorb moisture. So the egg is not setting in water and the shell does not soften......
take care. HJ......