Steeve B
02-19-04, 04:00 AM
This may help anyone achieve better incubation, from what I can see most hobbyist makes the same mistake over and over. Assuming you already know the temperature and humidity needs of your eggs, what do you know about its oxygen need?
Well let me tell you! When eggs are laid they need very little oxygen, however as there blood vessels and embryo grows so those the need for oxygen, also as the eggs develops and expand there permeability to both c02 and oxygen is greatly reduced.
Hers are the most common mistakes;
No1 flat line constant temps day and knight
No2 keeping the eggs at constant 100% humidity throughout the entire incubation
No3 not enough air exchange
No4 not considering temperature changes when servicing egg (add water temps and air temps)
Improving and correcting the above;
No1 no reptile eggs naturally incubates at a constant temp, a slight drop at knight influences development and skin pigmentation.
No2 To understand this simply try and breathe thru a wet face cloth, the egg shell works the same way, the higher c02 vapor the less oxygen that will pass thru the shell, I often see full term dead before hatching because the keeper increased humidity thinking it will help them hatch, in reality it drowns them, what you want to do is decrease your humidity as your eggs are progressing to a fluctuating 80-95%.
No3 just simply open your lid every second day to inspect your eggs, this will take care of gas and air exchange nothing more is needed, remember to check the bottom of the egg too! Many eggs indent from bottom.
No4 use common sense if you incubate eggs in a range of temperatures then open you egg box in an environment much lower the eggs will feel it, also be careful when you add water make sure its at the same temps as you incubate.
I posted this because I received a few ?? on this matter, hope it helps you improve!
Rgds
Well let me tell you! When eggs are laid they need very little oxygen, however as there blood vessels and embryo grows so those the need for oxygen, also as the eggs develops and expand there permeability to both c02 and oxygen is greatly reduced.
Hers are the most common mistakes;
No1 flat line constant temps day and knight
No2 keeping the eggs at constant 100% humidity throughout the entire incubation
No3 not enough air exchange
No4 not considering temperature changes when servicing egg (add water temps and air temps)
Improving and correcting the above;
No1 no reptile eggs naturally incubates at a constant temp, a slight drop at knight influences development and skin pigmentation.
No2 To understand this simply try and breathe thru a wet face cloth, the egg shell works the same way, the higher c02 vapor the less oxygen that will pass thru the shell, I often see full term dead before hatching because the keeper increased humidity thinking it will help them hatch, in reality it drowns them, what you want to do is decrease your humidity as your eggs are progressing to a fluctuating 80-95%.
No3 just simply open your lid every second day to inspect your eggs, this will take care of gas and air exchange nothing more is needed, remember to check the bottom of the egg too! Many eggs indent from bottom.
No4 use common sense if you incubate eggs in a range of temperatures then open you egg box in an environment much lower the eggs will feel it, also be careful when you add water make sure its at the same temps as you incubate.
I posted this because I received a few ?? on this matter, hope it helps you improve!
Rgds