Problems, maybe

D

DrAdam

Guest
Hi everyone,

Yesterday my leo layed two eggs, this is the first time for her so i was very happy with 2.

I put them into the incubator which was set at a nice 79F. I go down today and find the incubator at 90F shock horror i dont want males!!

So i have two solutions. 1 leave it as it is and hope its just a faulty thermometer. Or leave and hatch males.

Second solution is to reduce the temperature. What is a safe rate to do this? I know that temp spikes are bad but are temp drops just as dangerous??

What would people recommend ??

Another problem is if the thermo is wrong then they are at 79F if i reduce i could kill the eggs. If it is at 90F they will hattch out much sooner than expected and i may leave them in there ages ?? I've tried another thermometer and thats reading 157F !!! yet when put back in the gecko tubs it says 90F as expected!!!! I hate thermos

Any ideas would be appreciated

Thanks

Dr Adam
 
robin

robin

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Adam,
do you think you can get a hold of a temperature gun like this or something similar. before change temps check to see if your thermometer is accurate. no reason in changing temps if it isnt.
 
Grinning Geckos

Grinning Geckos

Tegan onboard.
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I'm a bit confused by your first statement. They can only lay 2 at a time (with some rare exceptions)...though some will lay just 1 on the first clutch or two. I'm not sure if you expected more, or if you're simply happy to get 2 instead of one.

Before you change anything, what are you using to measure the temp? Some are incredibly innacurate. Digital, temp guns, or mercury would be the only thing I would use. If you're using a digital, I'd suggest getting another and test again. If you're going with just what the thermostat says, you should have a redundant thermomoter. Once you figure out what the real temp is, we can go from there.

Yes, temp drops are as dangerous and temp spikes. The damage may already be done for these eggs (especially if it really did hit 157F). She should be laying again in 2 - 5 weeks, so at the very least you can get things right for the next clutch.

If it helps - first clutches from first time females are frequently infertile. Take it as a chance to get things right for the fertile ones.
 
D

DrAdam

Guest
I'll try and get another thermo as these two seem incapable of being accurate.

What sort of timescale do i have before i get more problems? Also do you have any ideas on the other points I made ?

Thanks

Adam
 
D

DrAdam

Guest
Grinning Geckos said:
I'm a bit confused by your first statement. They can only lay 2 at a time (with some rare exceptions)...though some will lay just 1 on the first clutch or two. I'm not sure if you expected more, or if you're simply happy to get 2 instead of one.
Click to expand...

Yes i was only expecting one!

Grinning Geckos said:
Before you change anything, what are you using to measure the temp? Some are incredibly innacurate. Digital, temp guns, or mercury would be the only thing I would use. If you're using a digital, I'd suggest getting another and test again. If you're going with just what the thermostat says, you should have a redundant thermomoter. Once you figure out what the real temp is, we can go from there.
Click to expand...

My thermometers are digital

Grinning Geckos said:
Yes, temp drops are as dangerous and temp spikes. The damage may already be done for these eggs (especially if it really did hit 157F). She should be laying again in 2 - 5 weeks, so at the very least you can get things right for the next clutch.
Click to expand...

I didnt hit 157F but thats what it was saying, I simply plugged the probe into another thermometer and it changed from 90 to 157 between the two. The thing thats annoying is that its been fine for a month and the day after eggs are put in i get problems!!
Grinning Geckos said:
If it helps - first clutches from first time females are frequently infertile. Take it as a chance to get things right for the fertile ones.
Click to expand...

True true, hopefully something can be sorted out for next time,

thanks

adam
 
robin

robin

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12,261
Location
Texas
adam,
from temp fluctuations like what you say you have you could get problems from the beginning. before changing any of the temps you need to find out what the actual temps are and to make sure your thermometers are working correctly.
personally i would leave those temps at 90 or 88 for the duration. having the temp spike and then lowering it again could definately cause the eggs to die.
your female will lay approximately 1-2 eggs every 2-3 weeks for many weeks. you could get 12 + eggs a season from one female. but first year breeders generally do not give as many eggs and sometimes they are infertile or will lay one egg at a time. so your two eggs sound good.
 
D

DrAdam

Guest
Yes i mean the eggs, obviously the incubation periods are different for two such temperatures... The best thing i can do is buy another thermometer tomorrow and find out for sure.
I'll let you know what the real temp is tomorrow....

thanks

adam
 
robin

robin

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if you leave them at 90 they will hatch sooner but you do not need to leave them in the eggs. generally by the time the males hatch out the yolk has already been absorbed and they will be ready to put in a shoe box container. just keep them misted and then wait for their first poop. i call this the poop cork and then they will be ready for their first meal. just because they hatch sooner than female temp sexed eggs doesnt mean they need extra time in the incubator.
 
robin

robin

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oh ok. i dont think you will. if you dont get to them for a day or so after they hatch they will still be fine :)
 
Grinning Geckos

Grinning Geckos

Tegan onboard.
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If you leave the temp the same (assuming it's actually at 90 and they're fertile), then they will hatch in about a month. You should be airing out the container once a week. After 4 weeks, start peeking at least every 3 days. Your average hatchling will be perfectly fine in the incubator for a few days...but it could really disturb your other eggs.
 
D

DrAdam

Guest
well I checked the temps today and the thermo is indeed correct and not out. God knows how it has been set at 79 for so long only to raise to 90 once eggs are in ?? Never mind I'll leave them to cook as males and expect them in about a month or so


thanks

Adam
 
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