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 #2117485


HatchetSS
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 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

Hi, at the time my female laid her fertile eggs all I had was Zoo Meds Eco Earth Substrate on hand and decided that was better than nothing. I have been quite skeptical of switching them to vermiculite as it might disturb the eggs. Now the eggs are browning where the dirt has been sitting. Is this normal or should I switch the substrate? Any advice is appreciated thank you.



01/26/10  01:38pm

 #2117487


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: HatchetSS   In reference to Message Id: 2117485


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

They will discolor and not be as white and pretty as first laid. The key question is are they growing? I wouldn’t disturb them, that would be asking for trouble. If they start to dent, that means they are dehydrating. If they really dent, they are dieing or dead.



01/26/10  01:42pm

 #2117489


HatchetSS
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   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 2117487


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

Ok thank you. They have been growing for several weeks and there is no denting or shriveling of any sort. The temp is 86-88 and humidity between 80-90% at all times.

There is no mold on the eggs but I was concerned about the browning. Do you think they will be alright in the Eco-Earth substrate without any mold? I have 2/3 of the egg buried and 1/3 above the substrate.



01/26/10  01:50pm

 #2117512


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: HatchetSS   In reference to Message Id: 2117489


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

Temps are high. I forget, but I am thinking (DON’T quote me, lol) that the med temps of 83-84 will produce males, and higher or lower will produce females. Dang! It could be exactly opposite, lol, I am dyslexic! I did mine at 83 and produced mostly males, but also female.

I would also put a covering of the eco earth on top to the eggs, unless you have some spaghnum moss on hand. That will absorb the misting, assuming you do that, and not let the water touch the eggs.

How old are the eggs now? They should incubat 60-65 days, there have been longer but not at your temps.
01/26/10  02:53pm

 #2117535


HatchetSS
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   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 2117512


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

I read in my water dragon book incubation temperatures at 80-85 will produce mostly males and 86-91 will produce mostly females. I would prefer females to males.

So I am not supposed to let water touch the eggs? I have been misting them directly every few days. ( I was just reading tricias water dragon site. )

The eggs are about 3 weeks old now and keep getting larger from what I can tell.

Thanks for the quick responses clouddancer
01/26/10  03:48pm

 #2117558


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: HatchetSS   In reference to Message Id: 2117535


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

You are most welcome! Try to not let the water touch the eggs. So I guess put some more eco earth on them. I am looking forward to the outcome on your efforts!
01/26/10  04:41pm

 #2117607


HatchetSS
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   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 2117558


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

Great I will put some on top and leave the incubator to do its job, my other female has a few eggs in her so I might have a few more to put in there, I’m looking forward to it as well! Thanks again!
01/26/10  06:19pm

 #2118075


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: HatchetSS   In reference to Message Id: 2117607


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

How many days have they been in the incubator and what type of incubator are you using?
01/28/10  11:00am

 #2118087


HatchetSS
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   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 2118075


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

They have been in the incubator for about 3 weeks, they have been in there since the day she laid them. I am using a home-made incubator, the same one on tricias water dragon she suggests to make, 20g tank, brick with water up to it and a water heater set on 86 degrees, the eggs in a plastic container with eco earth the soil is at 86 degrees as well, ambient air 86-88 degrees with 80-90% humidity.



01/28/10  12:22pm

 #2118123


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: HatchetSS   In reference to Message Id: 2118087


 CWD Eggs Browning in dirt. Normal?

How exciting, only 6 more weeks to go! I hope you marked the calendar! Also I find it helpful to mark the egg tub with a sharpie as to the lay date and number of eggs in it. That way if you end up filling up the whole incubator you don’t get so confused. I find that my females tend to lay 2-3 clutches about a month apart.

You might consider taking the temps down a couple of degrees . . .



01/28/10  01:51pm


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