deflated eggs

labomb · 04-09-05, 03:05 PM

well this is about the fourth clutch my female has laid and once again they are indented on one side. I will try these out for awhile to see what happens as someone has told me that they have seen this type of egg swell out to normal. but if these eggs prove to be no good I think maybe i should seperate this female from any males for life. i am beginning to wonder if maybe she has a physical condition that won't allow her to lay eggs? maybe her pelvis is too small? if that is what you would call it. i know for sure it is not lack of humidity and don't see how it could be a calcium problem as she is very healthy and gets calcium supplement. any suggestions?

UPDATE
I am happy to say the hopeless looking "deflated" eggs hatched and I now have two amazing little babies. The first one hatched at 79 days and I was sure the second one would not, it was the worst of the two being folded in half practically, but it hatched at 82 days! so there is hope for those dented eggs!
too skinny Mama has been removed from daddy long ago due to weight loss although she looks like she is carrying eggs again. Her strength has improved since I have been giving her emeraid from a dropper. She still doesn't appear to be eating much. these babies are special to me coming from her as she was the very first crested we got

DragnDrop · 04-09-05, 05:25 PM

Since they are soft shelled eggs, they bend as needed while she's laying them -- an advantage to make sure they don't get damaged on the way out. The eggs are also not completely 'full' when laid, leaving them a bit soft and again making it easier for her to lay them. They absorb the rest of the fluid from the substrate, doesn't take long, so most people only see fully fluffed up eggs when they find them. What are the chances you've been finding the eggs before they absorbed all the needed moisture? Is the substrate moist enough where she lays them?
I would definitely save the eggs, you'd be amazed at some of the eggs I've seen hatch. Don't expect to see much sign of life for a week or even two, if they don't candle pink during that time, don't pitch them. I'd wait at least a month, unless they collapse and stink outright.

labomb · 04-10-05, 11:18 AM

thanks for the info, except for the first clutch that I kept for over 3 months and never hatched I am afraid I pitched some good eggs since then. I am hanging on to these but am concerned because she laid them on the paper towel under some leaves and not in the substrate that she normally lays. the paper towel was damp, but I'm not sure how long they were there because I have been watching the place she normally lays. she was still with the eggs though, so maybe it hadn't been too long. anyways, what is the best substrate to use for laying? I have something i picked up at the pet store but it doesn't hold moisutre well. I moved the eggs into a container of vermiculite. can the vermiculite be used in the aquarium for laying, or will they ingest it?

tHeGiNo · 04-10-05, 12:31 PM

That may suggest that your nesting box is inadequate for your female, so I would definitely look into some improvements.

labomb · 04-11-05, 05:32 AM

I would like to try changes to my females nesting box if any one could tell me what works for them?

CDN-Cresties · 04-11-05, 12:06 PM

I use bed a beast coconut fiber. So far it has been working for me.

Betty Miskie · 04-11-05, 12:40 PM

I use bed a beast as well. Just make sure it is damp (not wet) and at least 3 inches deep.
Betty

babysweet · 04-11-05, 03:13 PM

Just one question... what to do when you're using a substrate of 4" deep soil covered by 1-1 1/2" of coconut husk in your naturally planted vivarium?

I don't forsee us keeping breeding pairs in our planted tank, as it's kinda short for adult cresties, and it's much too pretty now to take it apart and try to plant it standing upright. I'm sure we'll end up making our own enclosures when the time comes.

I would assume the obvious answer is use paper towel/outdoor carpet/etc. for substrate in mating enclosures to ensure that they will use their nest box... but has anyone ever used a natural set up such as the one I'm describing? (successfully... )

I'll add pics to this post tonight...

DragnDrop · 04-11-05, 04:21 PM

I've used live plants in pots, with needlepoint mesh over the soil to keep the females from digging (weight down with a few choice rocks

) The floor of the enclosure was just lightly 'dusted' with peat or coco-fibre to cover the floor, so there was no choice but to lay the eggs in the nesting box I provided.
The pots were visible, but by picking some ceramic or dark coloured pots and strategically placing bark, logs, branches and 'boulders', you can conceal them to some extent.

labomb · 04-14-05, 11:48 AM

well I am thrilled to say that these eggs are now looking much better, ouch, that means I tossed good eggs in the past maybe? I am hoping and praying....that these will be hatching this summer and I will try the bed a beast for future eggs. thanks for the info!

but what are you refering to "if they don't candle pink"? what does this mean, how can I tell?

labomb2 · 07-01-05, 04:10 AM

I am back.........

little_dragon_ · 07-01-05, 03:16 PM

I use coco fiber to. Some will lay them in nest box and some prefer their favorite plant pots.

stickytoedgecko · 07-10-05, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_dragon_

I use coco fiber to.

So do we, we dont use a "nest box" though, we just go egg hunting once a month :thumbsup:

We then ,mark the eggs wiht a marker (just aline on the side that is facing up when we find them) and move them over to critter keepers. The critter keepers have coconut fiber, mixed with vermiculite and perilite to help with moisture.

Hope ths helps!