Question about incubating males and females for less dark coloration

[justin-branam]

Since i have read that you can produce lighter colored animals by incubating them at a higher temp, i figured id give it a try on all my eggs this next season. For those who do this, and produce both males and females, do you just have 2 incubators setup? one at the female temp and then move them over to the male temp after the initial sexing period (14-16 days?)?

it seems like this is the easiest way, and ill probably be ordering another hovobator soon, but i was just curious of how you others do this.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

I do not like that idea of moving them to a higher temp, I know some people have done it with success but others have lost clutches by using that method. To me its not worth the risk.

Incubate them at 85-86 and you will get a mix of males and females.

 

[BalloonzForU]

I agree with Wendy, not worth the risk at all. Many deformities are caused by temp spikes. The method you are talking about really only works with the Tremper Albinos. It's 21 day to set the sex, and you gradually raise the temps, not just switch incubators to higher temp. So really you would need three incubators at min, using the third to hold eggs that you want to slowly rise the temps on over days. Then depending on how many eggs you have and their age, you may need another incubator too.

Tremper doesn't talk about his on his site, but many breeders that have tried this method (which Tremper didn't develope) will tell you that they have lost many hatchlings to deformities. IMO you shouldn't do it.

 

[Stitch]

I tried incubating my first few clutches for female and then raised the temps to 89-90 to obtain brighter colored females. The rest of the eggs would then be male since they would incubated at the higher temp. Well by raising the temp I created a temp spike and also couldn't control the humidity. I lost all but two eggs, mostly due to mold. So next year it's 85-86 degrees for me, plus less moisture .

 

[iceman]

I the same problem some lady that was at a pet store here locally told me how to setup one it was so humid mold started growing on the eggs! I think she was scamming me anyway but i did it anyway because my mom woulve thought i was rude