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Questions regarding incubating a clump of eggs in moss

Amanda E

Amanda E

Snake Addict!
I'm currently incubating in sphagnum moss because the eggs I have are laid in a clump. I have moss on-top of the eggs as well as underneath.

Now some other posts have got me thinking about later when the eggs are closer to pipping.

For example, ChaosCat had babies with their yolk sack still attached and people said that this was probably due to her messing with the eggs too much, forcing the babies come out of the eggs too soon.

Well, if this is the case then how do you know if they are pipping (and therefore not to mess with them) if you have a pile of moss on top of the eggs?

Should I remove the majority of the moss on-top of the eggs when they start dimpling?

If so, then I'm guessing at that point it would be okay for the eggs at the top of the clump to not be in an incubating medium?
 
I incubate on a bed of vermiculite, with the eggs covered with moss (if I can keep it from going mouldy!). When I get to within a week of the estimated due date, I remove the moss completely.

It doesn't appear to have caused any problems - all of the fertile eggs have hatched successfully after I've removed the moss, even the year they fooled me and hatched two weeks later than usual. This meant that the last three weeks of incubation were without the moss covering.

As long as you keep the general humidity up in the egg container, I think you'll be OK if my experience is anything to go by.
 
I think the BEST advice (and I'm not the one to follow this myself) is to NOT mess with the eggs once they are doing great. Just leave them be, and from time to time, near hatching time, look for little squirming snakeys....

It's HARD not to pay close attention to the eggs when you expect them to pip!
 
Amanda, most of my eggs are always in clumps. I put them in spagnum and then cover loosely with the same. When I check on them, I just move the top moss to the sides and then back. On day 55, I move the moss to the sides and leave it there. I am one that does not remove the newborns so quick. They might be out of the egg 2-3 days, before I take them out. So not to disturb any pippers. I find when the eggs are in a clump, they hatch more unevenly... time wise, then when you have them seperated. REG
 
Well the only problem with the current set-up I have going is I'm not using a lid on the container in my incubator (I can't use a lid because it wont fit in the incubator as is), therefore, if any babies hatch before I change the set-up, there is the potential for them to escape or be burned by the heating element.

My plan was to keep the eggs the way they are until they get closer to hatching, and then move the eggs into a different container without as much moss so as to allow me to use a lid and keep the hatchlings in.
 
Yes I am and I can NOT find a container to fit inside with the lid on and the eggs and all the moss not being smashed (as they are in a clump.)
 
I had the same problem this year with trying to find a container. I just seperated the eggs by gentle pressure into two clumps and then they would fit. I also dont cover my eggs in moss I just lay them on top with moss half way up the top eggs side. I have always had luck this way.
 
Hovabators that are too small

I came across this recommendation awhile back, and haven't tried it myself but it might work for your situation. If your Hovabator isn't tall enough to accomodate egg bins with lids, (or you just want the heating elements farther away from the hatchlings), look for a styrofoam box that tropical fish are shipped in. Your local pet store might have extras. The boxes supposedly are the same footprint dimensions as the Hovabator lid, and are one solid piece. Simply place the lid on top of the fish box, and presto! You have a tall Hovabator! If you give it a try, let us know how it works!

Ronda
 
Hovabator also sells six inch spacer "rings" to add height between the top and bottom shells. Although they do not think of it as being practical (because of what they are normally having their customers incubate, I imagine) to use more than one at a time (thereby increasing the height capacity even moreso), I see no problem with it at all. I use one, and it works exceptionally well. I believe the ring was along the lines of $15, if memory serves.
 
Amanda, the reason I ask, I also use several Hovabators as my incubators. I use containers that when I order food for delivery some use containers similar to Glad ware. They are about 3 inches tall. If the clump of eggs are too high to use the top of the container (another inch taller) I just put spagnum on the bottom,place clump in and surround sides and top with spagnum. Then cover with a small piece of newspaper. I find the newspaper is less prone to wick the moisture thus drying out the batch. On day 55, I remove the spagnum from the top of the eggs. It makes it easier to monitor. But I also will let it go(at times) a couple of days without peeking in. If a baby hatched and is crawling around the Hovabator I do not panic. I do not think the element gets hot enough to burn the newborn. That is what I find. Again my location has alot to do with my knowledge. I keep my setting at 84. The Hovabator cycles on for maybe 5 minutes. The element is warm to touch never hot. Also it is easy for me to tell what Genetic strain hatched because I seperate eggs that have been laid close to date from different females into different incubators. I hope that I helped some and not added to your doubt... REG
 
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