Fertilized vs shelled? Belly feel different?

[Amanda E]

Fertilized vs shelled eggs? Belly feel different?

I can't remember from past breedings. I should have written down all the details back then but I didn't. I was hoping someone could remind me.

I know that when the eggs are just follicles they feel like small marbles, and then when fertilized they become much larger and soft/squishy. I can't remember though... can you tell the difference in just fertilized eggs and shelled eggs? Is there a noticable difference in these two states? I haven't noticed much of a difference in the females I've tried to palpate, but I also don't know when the shelling of the eggs takes place.

Anyone know?

 

[El Jefe]

Actually, in my opinion I think there is a difference in the three stages: ova, shelled (good), shelled (bad).

The ova are small little bumps that you can barely feel and usually you can feel around a couple of weeks after breeding although sometimes you can feel them before as well.

Right near (or after) the pre-egg shed you can feel the other two types. The good eggs feel like big marbles and have a more rounded feel to the them. The bad eggs feel MUCH softer and seem very long.

Granted, this method is not 100%...but more often than not I can tell who will give me duds and who will give me good eggs. Then again, some females you can't tell either way as they are too big or the eggs just don't feel right at ANY time. But it you have enough females and you take notes you can get a 'feel' for what is coming.

Cheers.