Egg issues

[dean]

Having some problems with some eggs. Have 16 hatched out perfectly. Have about 18 in incubator right now. But have had at least 10-12 layed that are just so soft, you can barely pick them up. Doesn't matter if it is 1 minute after laying or hours. Almost every "soft" egg has failed within days. These are from females that have also layed picture perfect eggs that have done well. I am at a loss of why? All food is dusted, and they pull from calcium dish on occasion as well. Any info would be appreciated.
Dean

 

[acpart]

I have found that sometimes it just happens and I don't know why. This year things are going very well for me, but for the last 2 years about half my eggs at this time of year went bad, many of them with dead fetuses in them. The only other thing I can think of, is if you introduce your males to your females for a night and then separate them, maybe it's time for another introduction. Maybe the females are continuing to lay eggs but don't have enough sperm to fertilize them.

Aliza

 

[dean]

I should have thought of that...will try and thanx.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

i kinda disagree with that. i mean their bodies know when they are done. i say if the male didn't pump enough seed in then there was a reason. just throw the slugs away and let the girls just get back up to weight so that way you don't burn them out

 

[acpart]

i kinda disagree with that. i mean their bodies know when they are done. i say if the male didn't pump enough seed in then there was a reason. just throw the slugs away and let the girls just get back up to weight so that way you don't burn them out

I do agree that it's important not to burn the geckos out and it may be best for their health to limit how many clutches they lay, but if they're in OK shape, in nature they may encounter another male, so I don't think there's a problem with re-introduction. In all honesty, I don't know if their bodies know when they're done (well, they do know when they're done ovulating). I think it's different with eating when they do know when they're done.

Aliza

 

[dean]

sorry, work is nuts! girls are in excellent condition...eat like horses till 2-3 days before laying, then right back at it. i really don't think they are burnt out. put them with respective males, and they were receptive within 2-3 minutes, way quicker than initial pairings in spring. will see if eggs improve.

dean

 

[Leopardgeckosunlimited]

In that case I totally agree w/ re introducted as well and some females just need to be more then others-for example usually 1st yr breeding females. Also this is much more common for 1st yr breeding females to lay infertile eggs too and most times next season they're fine. I've heard/read from rep breeder, that it's good to put 1st yr breeding females back w/ the male 1 per week- I've never done that much, but def agree w/ Aliza and when you do re introduce them it's best right after they lay, not when they're about to lay- of coarse. If they were receptive then they were ovulating still and that's the best way to know if they're done for the yr or not.
Good Luck!

 

[dean]

SOUNDS RIGHT TO ME. I DON'T THINK THERE IS A RULE FOR ANY OF THESE GIRLS. I HAVE 2-3 YR OLDS PRODUCING 10-12 EGGS, AND TWO 1 YR OLDS AT 55-65G THAT PRODUCED 12 & 14 EGGS LAST YEAR(I HAVE READ SMALL QTY'S FOR 1ST YEAR) AS LONG AS THERE ACTIVE, AND LOOK HEALTHY SHOULD BE GOOD. THANKS.