egg turner

[jvbernard]

hi all, i am looking to buy an incubator, and seems most of the things i read up on suggest a Hovabator,1632 model for poultry &reptiles, now i wondered do any breeders use an egg turner? as the one i am looking at comes with one!!

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

Turning reptile eggs kills the developing embryo.

 

[jvbernard]

i did hear something about avoid movement, but didnt realise that was the reason. don't worry i'm not planning on breeding for another year, so i'm gathering info well in advance, thanks for your help

 

[dionythicus]

Make sure you don't get the model with the fan. That will dry out the eggs and potentially kill them, too.

 

[kathylove]

I haven't bought an incubator in years (mine go on the shelf in the reptile room). But back when we used to buy them, the cheapest Hovabator was actually the best. That is because it didn't have all of the fancy "extras" that we don't need, such as fans and egg turners.

You probably already found this out, but when you do get it, be sure to set it up and get the proper temp at least a week or more before you expect the first eggs. Once you put eggs into it, tape down the control and don't adjust it further, because it will usually get too hot and kill the eggs.

 

[MegF.]

I used one for my first clutches, but I think I'll just go to room incubation after this. My friend Stephen incubated his at my house for weeks just sitting in a styrofoam box to avoid drastic temperature changes and had nearly a 100% hatch rate from 6 clutches. It's easier and I won't have to worry that they will fry as my second clutch did.

 

[JGAust]

thats alot

I heard that all you need is sand, heater, and and empty ice cream container. Then make sure that the lid is closed but every few day look in on them and let fresh air in. That works for me!

 

[MegF.]

You usually don't use sand. It's too drying. Perlite, moss or vermiculite is usually what's used as they hold moisture well and don't smother the eggs. You don't even need to open the lid that often. Eggs have a very low rate of oxygen exchange and I know that some breeders like Rich don't have any holes and don't open them the whole time. They hatch fine. I just have some very tiny holes in my containers and the only reason I open them is to add water if necessary or check for egg deaths. Not more than once every week or two. You don't want to cool them too much by opening and closing the lid too often.

 

[paulh]

I used sand once. It worked, but I put in too much water and drowned half the eggs. With Perlite and Vermiculite, people have already worked out the right amount of water to add.

 

[MegF.]

The nice thing about perlite is that it's almost impossible to drown the eggs. The water goes thru the perlite to the bottom, providing humidity without clinging to the egg and suffocating it like perlite and other mediums can.