Egg Laying Box

[GeckoMandi]

Ok I plan to make my own laying box for soon to come eggs, I'm going to cut a hole into a plastic container big enough for her to get in and out of without problems I'm also going to get one that's taller than her usual humid hide I made.

My question is what is the best to use for lay boxes and incubating eggs?

I have read so much this and that about the best stuff to use, I planned on using vermiculite in the lay box how often do I need to mist this?, and what should I use in the incubator after I remove the eggs? Also how often do I mist it? Like I said i've read about a dozen care sheets, and I know everyone has a method that works for them just looking for more tips.

 

[PaulSage]

I use either coconut fiber or sphagnum moss in the lay boxes, and incubate the eggs in perlite. I keep both the lay boxes and the incubation tubs just humid enough for condensation to form on the sides. How often you'll need to add water depends on the humidity level in the enclosure, the incubator, the number & size of holes in each, etc. etc.

 

[gko reptiles]

We use a perlite/peatmoss mix in our lay boxes. We mist their lay boxes every other day. After awhile, you'll figure out how to tell when the females are about to lay (their eggs "drop" in their abdomen, almost like babies "drop" in humans). Make sure if you notice this that you mist the lay box everyday until she lays, (usually same day to 2 days after they drop). In the incubation boxes we use straight perlite. This mixture should be moist, not soaked. It's really something that you also have to get the 'feel' for. After awhile, the water will settle and will feel almost dry, but you should be able to see the moisture on the sides. Also, a little tips that Phil and I discovered last year with our first clutch, make SURE that you put your eggs/perlite in containers that do NOT contain holes!! This will make your eggs mold faster than wet bread! Hope this helps! Best Wishes, and Good Luck!!!

 

[GeckoMandi]

I think I'm going to go with perlite for both the lay box and incubator, I had some sphagnum moss in her moist hide and I don't know if she didn't like it or what because she dug all out of her hide lol. The breeder I got her from kept on paper towels so I dunno if that had anything to do with it.

know where I can buy some perlite? Like home depot or lowes have it?

Another question about the incubator container I'm going to use do I need to put a lid on it?

I'm going to mark the eggs with a marker so I can place them into the incubator as they were laid.

Thanks for the help too!

 

[brandy101010]

I use eco earth. It comes in a big hard blocks. You take a block...put it in a bucket or plastic shoe/sweater box add watter and watch the magic! lol when all the dirt has expanded and broken up, drain the water and store in a plactic shoe box/sweater box. as long as there are no holes the dirt will stay moist so when ever your hide gets dry you can just dump the dry dirt and put in new moist dirt. no misting envolved! And this stuff lasts awhile! It's kinda fun to make too but I'm amused easily...

 

[Kimjorg]

I would not suggesst to use straight perlite in their lay boxes we use the same method that GKO Reptiles (well it helps that they taught us how to do it lol) bu we have never had a problem. If your gecko is digging in her lay box this is a good thing and i dont know how much i would vary it if she is digging upa storm (she needs to dig to cover her eggs after she ays them so she is kind of well...practicing) We have tried everything before but the peatmoss/perlite in the lay box and straight perlite in the incubator seems to be the key to a smooth breeding season

 

[GeckoMandi]

I use eco earth. It comes in a big hard blocks. You take a block...put it in a bucket or plastic shoe/sweater box add watter and watch the magic! lol when all the dirt has expanded and broken up, drain the water and store in a plactic shoe box/sweater box. as long as there are no holes the dirt will stay moist so when ever your hide gets dry you can just dump the dry dirt and put in new moist dirt. no misting envolved! And this stuff lasts awhile! It's kinda fun to make too but I'm amused easily...

Is that like the bed a beast stuff? I use to let my geckos live on it until I learned they could get impacted, I still have a buttload, and it is cool to watch it swell up.

Where can I buy perlite and peatmoss?

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

Perilite and peatmoss are available at most garden centers or stores that carry garden supplies. Home Depot, Lowes. even Wal Mart.

 

[brandy101010]

Is that like the bed a beast stuff? I use to let my geckos live on it until I learned they could get impacted, I still have a buttload, and it is cool to watch it swell up.

Where can I buy perlite and peatmoss?

Yes i'm pretty sure bed a beast and eco earth are the same thing just different brands.

 

[GeckoMandi]

Ok well I have the laybox in there with her now, she didn't like it at first but she is getting use to it, I used one cup of perlite and 1 cup of peat moss just curious is that going to be enough? It's not very deep but she has plently of digging room when the time comes.