Question about eggs - HELP

[BocaJan]

OK, my 7 1/2 month eggs (I have two clutches) have started to sweat over the weekend. However, I notice that some of them seem to be collapsing. Is this normal or is there a problem with the eggs? Is it too dry? should I drop a little moisture in the boxes or just leave them. I don't want to lose them after waiting so long.

Thanks!

 

[Nicodemayo]

OK, my 7 1/2 month eggs (I have two clutches) have started to sweat over the weekend. However, I notice that some of them seem to be collapsing. Is this normal or is there a problem with the eggs? Is it too dry? should I drop a little moisture in the boxes or just leave them. I don't want to lose them after waiting so long.

Thanks!

I would leave them if I were you

 

[BocaJan]

Is it normal for them to collapse?

 

[Lancecham]

They can collaspse a bit. How much are you talking about?
The eggs should be fine.

 

[BocaJan]

I'll let you know....something should happen soon, huh?

 

[kinyonga]

Can you post a picture please??
When the eggs sweat they do shrink in size...some of them look like they are collapsing.

 

[BocaJan]

I took 3 pics. I hope they show the collapse. Remember, these eggs were fat up until yesterday when they started to sweat.

 

[Syn]

My uncle had turtle eggs. When this happened, basically he told me it meant that it dried up..
He wasn't too clear on if it meant dried up as in, completely, or dried up as in just a little bit.

Maybe the air wasn't very humid and it took the moisture from the eggs.

Though, that being said, turtle eggs are probably nothing like chameleon eggs.

 

[BocaJan]

Most of the eggs appear to be sweating. I don't think they are dried out.

 

[Lancecham]

I agree, they don't look dried up. Cham eggs will shrink a bit before they hatch out.
I also raise snakes and bearded dragons and they shrink and cave in before they hatch. I think they will be fine.

Lance

 

[kinyonga]

I really hope I'm wrong...but some of them don't look good. As I said...I really hope I'm wrong.

 

[summoner12]

I can't say from personal experience because my eggs haven't hatched... but I kind of agree with Linda. I too hope I am wrong. I only say this because my veiled eggs are larger and much more white. But other than my moldy Melleri eggs.... it is my only experience. My Veiled eggs are 108 days along now.

What kind of temps have you been keeping your eggs at?

 

[BocaJan]

they have been kept at 75 degrees. The temp only varied when Fl. had some cold weather and the household temps got about 71 at night but I'm thinking diaphase. Anyway, they don't look too good to me either. I guess a few days will tell the story. The other clutch looks better then this one. I have some eggs that are younger that look totally different, fat white and larger. This was the females first attempt at eggs and while I know they are fertile, it could just be ... well, who knows. Wait, wait, wait is the name of the game.

 

[kinyonga]

Might I recommend that you look for the coarser vermiculite? The kind you are using tends to dry out unevenly and might be part of the problem.

 

[BocaJan]

I have looked all over and can't find any. I was thinking about trying the stuff from the herp store. I don't like this fine stuff but I got what I could.

 

[Syn]

I think I saw something on LLL, don't remember the name though.

 

[ChrisnLisa]

I think I saw something on LLL, don't remember the name though.

Its called Coarse Grain Vermiculite

 

[summoner12]

I have looked all over and can't find any. I was thinking about trying the stuff from the herp store. I don't like this fine stuff but I got what I could.

Where I work we sell two different kinds of vermiculite. I purchased the kind you have and it is preferred by a couple local breeders... I actually purchased some for one of them and he gave me some back to use on my own eggs. Seems ok..... or is it why my Melleri eggs molded or were they just not fertile? I would like to think the eggs just weren't fertile.


The Hatchrite I got from LLL had a hole in the bag.... so I had to moisten it all over again.... I also add water to the hatchrite. So far so good.

I honestly just think the eggs of this clutch aren't viable. You did say it was her first clutch. If you have more on the way I would foacus on them especially if they look healthier.

 

[ChrisnLisa]

Jan-

I have to agree, this does not look good. We just had an almost identical situation to this. It was a small clutch (17) of veiled eggs. We too had used the exact same vermiculite since we did not have any coarse grain at the house. They had been kept at low 70's for their entire incubation. About a month before they hatched we moved to a new place. At the new place we kept them in a closet which we thought were the same temps.

What had actually been happening was that during the day while at work temps in the closet were reaching nearly 90 and dropping back down by the time we got home. The only reason I knew this was by peeking in there one weekend while at home mid-day. They had been in this closet a few weeks before i noticed. I immediately moved them under a sink that is never used and STAYS at 72-74. Is there any way you were also having heat spikes?

There was a bit of condensation in the container, so I didn't think they were too dry. We had virtually none hatch, and a few that did had an issue and passed away. We are now left with 2 healthy babies Our eggs would sweat, start to shrink, and then never hatch. They were also turning that awful brownish tint that your show. I cut a few of the eggs open, and there were fully developed, dead babies inside . I must mention the eggs were very rubbery and quite difficult to cut through, which is probably why they never emerged . I am willing to bet this is your situation as well. I am still not sure if all of this happened because a the temp spikes, or the vermiculite, but it may be something to think about. I will never use that vermiculite again, as to not have a similar situation happen.

Have any of the babies hatched at all? If so, how are they health wise. You may want to consider cutting open one of the eggs that are dead looking just to see how the neonates look. IMHO your eggs were viable, something just went horribly wrong. I am sorry, I really know how hard that is to go through. P.M. me if you would like, so we can share notes if you would like.

Lisa