Feeding after laying?

[Miss Lily]

Amy has just finished covering up her first clutch. Her lights went out a couple of hours ago but I put a temporary light over her viv so she could finish. Is it ok to offer her food tonight then turn her lights out soon after, or should I leave it until the morning? I am going to give her a drink as soon as she's back on her branch but not sure what to do about food. It is now 9pm in the UK and she would normally be asleep by now. What shall I do?

 

[laurie]

I would give her a drink and let her be until tomorrow. I am happy she is finished without out incident. Hopefully she will want to eat tomorrow. We will be waiting to hear ohm many eggs.

 

[pssh]

If she will eat I would offer a little. It's not going to hurt as long as she can bask well tomorrow. Well dusted and gutloaded of course!

 

[Miss Lily]

Thanks. She has finished! What a relief! I had to help her out of the laying tub and let her climb onto a branch. She took a waxworm and drank for ages while I misted her.

 

[kinyonga]

Did you let her finish filling in the hole before you helped her out of the bin?
I would feed and water her well for the next couple of days and then cut back the amount of food and keep the temperature in the low 80's to help slow her metabolism.

Waiting to hear how many eggs she laid.

 

[Miss Lily]

She's finished!

Well, Amy laid 81 eggs which themsleves weighed 55g. She looks so skinny, bless her - I am always shocked at how awful they look afterwards.

Kinyonga: Yes, I did let her finish covering them up - she was actually trying to get out of the bin but didn't have the strength. She climbed very slowly onto my hand then off onto her stick where she spent the night. She ate a waxworm and drank very well when I misted her then I turned the light off so she could get some rest. She has continued to eat and drink this morning - I am very glad that I ordered some silkworms last weekend! They arrived just in time!

She is getting exta dusting and food for a few days, then I'll cut her right back. Her temps are usually in the low 80's anyway, but I put a higher wattage bulb in whilst she was laying so she didn't get too cold whilst digging. Photos will follow when I've uploaded them. I am so glad that it's all over!

 

[Miss Lily]

Some pics

This is how Amy looked this morning - very dark and very skinny, bless her!

A size comparison pic!

81 eggies!

 

[bradley]

my fmelae looked like that. I used to give as many dusted locusts she would eat the first day. and then the next few days do crickets with a waxie or morio or other feederfor about a week then back to normal.

 

[laurie]

Poor little thing does look tired and skinny! All I can say it you should be very happy those are not fertile, I don't think I could face 81 baby veiled.
Give Amy my love and tell her I am glad it's over with her ok. Glad you survived also Tiff.