This was our first time incubating Hermann's eggs and only 1 hatched but only got half way out by himself (see Rachel87). 3 weeks later we checked in the other eggs and found 5 grown but very sadly dead babies. Feel so bad and guilty. What did we do wrong? The eggshells did seem hard. Humidity was kept around 70% but the thermostat was pretty rubbish, varying between 22-32deg. We don't want to go through that trauma again so would value any advice. I will buy new thermostat. The eggs were kept in vermiculite in sealed polystyrene box with dish of water and 3 small airholes in the lid.[/b]
Hi Karen. It sounds to me that your humdity was not high enough. What are you using to measure humidity. You really do need a new thermostat because 22c is way to low. When you buy one try and buy the pulse thermostat. These keep stable temps better. I think it is a combination of up and down temps plus humidity.
(10-17-2011 06:29 PM)KarenT Wrote: [ -> ]This was our first time incubating Hermann's eggs and only 1 hatched but only got half way out by himself (see Rachel87). 3 weeks later we checked in the other eggs and found 5 grown but very sadly dead babies. Feel so bad and guilty. What did we do wrong? The eggshells did seem hard. Humidity was kept around 70% but the thermostat was pretty rubbish, varying between 22-32deg. We don't want to go through that trauma again so would value any advice. I will buy new thermostat. The eggs were kept in vermiculite in sealed polystyrene box with dish of water and 3 small airholes in the lid.[/b]
It sounds like anoxia, lack of oxygen, they really don't need to be sealed, this will stop oxygen exchange. I leave mine open but keep them pretty much buried with the tops showing. The thermostat would not have helped as 22 is too low for incubation so not a good idea. Next time you must keep temps more steady although a slight variation is no problem.
Is the box sealed or the box the eggs are in?.
(10-17-2011 07:56 PM)TICKANDTOCK Wrote: [ -> ]Is the box sealed or the box the eggs are in?.
it's a polystyrene box with a tight fitting lid and I had the eggs on the surface of the vermiculite. I may be being thick but if the box is open or not sealed, how do you keep the humidity up?
I think Sue thought the box you had the eggs in was sealed not the incubator. I have come across people that have put a sealed box inside the incubator. Thats why she mentioned the lack of oxygen. I will tell you about my homemade incubator. I have a polystyrene box. Then i stick the heat mat on the inside of the box. I put mine on the side but not touching the bottom and connect it to the pulse thermostat. This gives really stable temps when set up. I then put 2 house bricks at the bottom of the box. You can put more in it just depends how big your box is. This is what i put my box on that contains the eggs. I find the house bricks help to keep the temps stable. Some people put the bricks in and then rest a rack on them. It up to you and i think it depends on how many eggs you have to hatch. You then add your water dish or because the heat mat doesn't touch the bottom you can put some water in the bottom of the box if you like. You then need a humidity gage and thermometer. You are best getting a digital one. You can buy one of these from ebay cheaply. Once set up it keeps the temps really well.
(10-17-2011 11:15 PM)TICKANDTOCK Wrote: [ -> ]I think Sue thought the box you had the eggs in was sealed not the incubator. I have come across people that have put a sealed box inside the incubator. Thats why she mentioned the lack of oxygen. I will tell you about my homemade incubator. I have a polystyrene box. Then i stick the heat mat on the inside of the box. I put mine on the side but not touching the bottom and connect it to the pulse thermostat. This gives really stable temps when set up. I then put 2 house bricks at the bottom of the box. You can put more in it just depends how big your box is. This is what i put my box on that contains the eggs. I find the house bricks help to keep the temps stable. Some people put the bricks in and then rest a rack on them. It up to you and i think it depends on how many eggs you have to hatch. You then add your water dish or because the heat mat doesn't touch the bottom you can put some water in the bottom of the box if you like. You then need a humidity gage and thermometer. You are best getting a digital one. You can buy one of these from ebay cheaply. Once set up it keeps the temps really well.
Yes, that's what I thought. Sorry I am tired lol. The more they are buried the better as this helps with humidity too.
Thankyou all for your time and advice. Will get a new thermostat and probably a bigger box as house bricks won't fit in mine! I did use a humidity gauge and thermometer but will check the thermometer as not sure how accurate it was.
Better luck next year but it does seem we were very lucky to get one tortlet
(10-18-2011 04:36 PM)KarenT Wrote: [ -> ]Thankyou all for your time and advice. Will get a new thermostat and probably a bigger box as house bricks won't fit in mine! I did use a humidity gauge and thermometer but will check the thermometer as not sure how accurate it was.
Better luck next year but it does seem we were very lucky to get one tortlet
I think all new breeders have one disaster or another before they get it right. It really does sound like oxygen starvation though, so remember to give plenty of room for air circulation and don't put lids on the egg boxes but keep the substrate slight sprayed with water to stop it becoming completely dry. Don't actually wet the eggs though.
Good luck