Egg Frustration - Help please

[Wretched]

Okay, so... months pass, I have two females that lay lots of eggs. I place eggs in deli cups filled with moist vermiculite and have them mostly burried. The incubator is thermostated at mid 80's. The eggs always look fine for about a week or to and then, invariably, they either collapse, or start seriously rotting (green fuzz and bad smell.) All I have is a hovabator but the temps are being rather stable.

What am i doing wrong?

 

[justin-branam]

first things first. Do you have a male and have you checked the eggs to make sure they are fertile? they will lay eggs whether they are fertile or not.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

If the eggs are firm and leathery after they are laid, you may have the vermiculite too moist. I use a ratio of 1 part vermiculite to .8 part water.

 

[Wretched]

first things first. Do you have a male and have you checked the eggs to make sure they are fertile? they will lay eggs whether they are fertile or not.

... yes, I have a male, and have even watched them make, i do know where babies come from...

 

[Wretched]

If the eggs are firm and leathery after they are laid, you may have the vermiculite too moist. I use a ratio of 1 part vermiculite to .8 part water.

What is a good way to maintain moisture if vermiculite dries? Mister? drip water along edges?

 

[GoGo]

Null-Void

 

[KellyTCS]

Just hope the eggs aren't stuck together.

 

[BalloonzForU]

Ryan, are you egg containers air tight?

 

[Wretched]

yup, air tight except for when i check the eggs every couple days.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

I agree with Marcia, sounds like they are too wet which causes them to go bad. If the mixture is .8 water to 1 perlite/vermiculite you should not need to add water during incubation.

 

[BalloonzForU]

If you can squeeze water out of your vermiculite you've got too much water in it. This would account for the eggs getting moldy and rotting out. Some people have used Gold Bond powder to stop the mold. I have on occasion been able to catch the mold quickly, removing the eggs wiping off carefully and placing into new egg container with fresh perilite or vermiculite.

 

[G & M Geckos]

Ryan, are you egg containers air tight?

Don't you want one small hole?

 

[BalloonzForU]

I use air tight and open them once a week, more often near hatch time.

 

[bittner_344]

poke a hole or two in the side of the cup, it reduces moisture!
-brett

 

[bittner_344]

poke a hole or two in the side of the cup, it reduces moisture!
-brett