Brev (pygmy) incubation- coconut husk!

[myst]

Most everything I read said to use Perlite or Vermiculite to incubate Brev eggs. The last 2 clutches were placed completely covered with coconut husk substrate at room temperature. We sprayed the substrate a couple times a week. Just wow!

Coconut husk is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-mold. Tends to hold moisture at the bottom, yet keep the container humid enough to incubate the eggs perfectly. We have 5 four month olds and 3 one week olds that are the healthiest babies we have ever seen.

 

[djorgensen3]

Cool!!

Well very cool to hear. I will cover up the eggs that mine just laid then.

 

[laurie]

So did you take them out of the tank form Mom or just add the coconut husk covering?
Congrats

 

[myst]

I remove eggs. Others have great success at just leaving eggs alone to hatch (not that brave). I lightly dust back layers of substrate until I found little tic-tac sized eggs. I go on a rather slow & methodical egg search in the enclosure (I use coconut husk for substrate too) and place the eggs in a clear tupperware like container.

I use a huge spatula to not disturb the eggs at all. I transfer the entire substrate area and eggs to an incubation container, then barely cover the top eggs with more coconut husk so they are never directly sprayed. I felt like I was playing a guessing game regarding perlite/vermicule white beads and moisture levels.

With coconut husk and a clear incubation container, I have a visual of the changing moisture levels. I move the entire clutch. They are such tiny little eggs laid on top of each other - to try to reposition individually in a different container. Maybe less really is more?