dump clutch?

fallen_angel

Fallen Angel's Geckos
Messages
7,937
Location
Stockton, CA
We have two eggs that have been incubating at 84-86 degrees and are on day 38 today, so we expect them to hatch within a week or so. Normally I candle eggs when they are a week old or so to make sure they are fertile, but apparently I never candled these two. The shells are perfect - white, no discoloration, no denting, no sweating, no smelling - perfect.

The problem is, I went to candle them today and came to find that they both candle yellow...? Of course, all the excitement of more babies this week is now gone.. I have heard of this happening to a few others (having eggs that candle yellow for a very long time), but I am not sure what to do. One egg has nothing that I can see inside of it at all; it just glows yellow everywhere. The other seems to have a little pink dot inside (like a fertile egg would look at 1-2 days old).. but this just bewilders me because they are nearly 40 days old!! I really don't see how anything could develop in them since it's been so long and I know that many people don't toss eggs until they smell.. But what do you guys think about this? Should I keep them?

Also, this is the 4th clutch (out of 5). I have read something about a "dump clutch" where the eggs are more likely to be infertile because it's the last reminants of the sperm..or something? Would this explain why we have eggs that look viable, but are actually empty inside?

Thanks :)
 
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Kristi23

Ghoulish Geckos
Messages
16,180
Location
IL
I'm sorry about the eggs. I know you were looking forward to them hatching soon.
 

acpart

Geck-cessories
Staff member
Messages
15,457
Location
Somerville, MA
I have had eggs hatch that have never candled to show anything. I have also had eggs mold and collapse after 7-8 weeks that had nothing inside. I'd recommend keeping them till they either hatch or stink.

Aliza
 

fallen_angel

Fallen Angel's Geckos
Messages
7,937
Location
Stockton, CA
Thanks everyone for your help!

John, this female in particular was rebred with a second male, she has a 5th clutch that candles red/pink, and is carrying her 6th clutch (confirmed eggs in her belly today)

We'll definitely keep the eggs, they haven't dented or anything this whole time..
 

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