Lying bin help

[Weebo]

I just put together a lay bin for my girl. It's 5 gallon bucket 50/50 sand and coconut fiber substrate. My big question is whether to have it in or out of the cage. My concern with it being inside her cage is that wth the automister set up the bucket will not drain properly. Looking for some feeedback please

 

[Virgil1972]

You could drill some holes in the bucket. I would put holes near the bottom and maybe some going up the side as well. If your worried about the sand coming out you could line the sides with some gardening fabric.

 

[Weebo]

So you think it be better to put it in her cage? Right now I have it set up outside her cage on the ground with a lift over it. Was going to cover the top and put her in there tomorrow morning before work. But wasn't sure if she would get stressed from that

 

[Virgil1972]

I have never had a female before but I would think its better if its in her cage. Its a very stressful time for her and moving her is probably not a good idea. She would be more comfortable with it in her cage.

 

[Weebo]

Here is how I have my bin set up. I'm thinking of switching the light bulb with a heat bulb. I tried to put a plant in but there really isn't room since the bucket is more than half filled with sand/dirt

 

[ZacharyLeesWife]

I have a permanent lay bin in the cage with my girl, but it's not as large or deep as her real lay bin. After I see her start digging in the permanent one for a few days, if she's not getting the job done I put her in the big one. So you can definitely use something smaller in her home that has drainage and isn't as tall because she might feel more comfortable being in her normal cage with a cover. My big lay bin is very similar only I used a tall kitchen trash can. If she doesn't cooperate and lay in her cage after 2 days of digging, she gets thrown away lol. She's only laid one clutch so far but it took 4 very long days from the first time she dug a hole to 55 eggs. I would lower your dirt level enough for a stick or two, but otherwise it looks good. Is this her first clutch?

 

[alphakenc]

If u put the heat bulb ,it will dry up the sand/dirt ,u will need to monitor the dampness inside the bucket,why not leave the bucket inside her cage,and use some cover to prevent the mist water goes in the bucket while u set up some type of climbing objects like branch or stick for the female cham to climb down into the bucket,this way u dont have to worry she will wondering off somewhere outside the cage along with the extra heat lamp setup.

 

[Weebo]

Ok both good tips thank you. I had a small lay in in her cage but she just kept pooping in it lol. But she hasent eaten in 5 days now and has been restless. I see her at the bottom and wondering all over. Also she has those little pouches over her hips

 

[Weebo]

And yes this is her first clutch. She was also at the vet in November and in the X-rays you can see eggs developing.

 

[Weebo]

Well....I tried doing it out of the cage with a screen top. My girlfriend checked on her while I was working and she was out roaming my apartment. How can I cover this inside the cage so the mister doesn't soak the dirt

 

[alphakenc]

U will have to improvise with some type of cover or re-adjust the misting direction , my imagination idea is a lid cover with a hinge so u can block the misting coming in

 

[kinyonga]

I always recommend having an opaque container at lease 12" x 8" x 8" full of moist washed playsand in the cage of any egglaying female chameleon once she reaches sexual maturity. This gives her a place to dig to show you when she's ready to lay eggs. You can put a "tent" over it to keep the sand from getting too wet.

I also have a converted a 65 litre rubbermade container I use if the female is not happy with the container in the cage once she starts digging. Conversion: cut a large hole in the lid and glue screen over it.
Fill the container about half full with washed playsand that is moistened enough to hold a tunnel. Add a branch for her to sit on. When the chameleon is ready to lay put her in the rubbermade container...put the lid on...place a light over the screen to provide heat and light.

Do not let the chameleon see you watching her while she's digging. It may make her abandon the hole and can lead to eggbinding.do not move her back and forth from the rubbermade to the cage.you can feed and water her while she's in the container but don't leave any uneaten insects in there since they might chew on the female while shes laying or on the eggs.

Hope this helps.

 

[Weebo]

I always recommend having an opaque container at lease 12" x 8" x 8" full of moist washed playsand in the cage of any egglaying female chameleon once she reaches sexual maturity. This gives her a place to dig to show you when she's ready to lay eggs. You can put a "tent" over it to keep the sand from getting too wet.

I also have a converted a 65 litre rubbermade container I use if the female is not happy with the container in the cage once she starts digging. Conversion: cut a large hole in the lid and glue screen over it.
Fill the container about half full with washed playsand that is moistened enough to hold a tunnel. Add a branch for her to sit on. When the chameleon is ready to lay put her in the rubbermade container...put the lid on...place a light over the screen to provide heat and light.

Do not let the chameleon see you watching her while she's digging. It may make her abandon the hole and can lead to eggbinding.do not move her back and forth from the rubbermade to the cage.you can feed and water her while she's in the container but don't leave any uneaten insects in there since they might chew on the female while shes laying or on the eggs.

Hope this helps.

Perfect. I really appreciate this feedback

 

[kinyonga]

You're welcome!