Egg tray success!

[maxttu]

100% success rate with using these egg trays. I had 4 in one tray and 8 in another tray.

These eggs were a month younger than the eggs that I had in vermiculite, but all of them hatched out before the 1st vermiculite egg.

These eggs were half the size of the vermiculite eggs.

Trays hatched out right at 7-7.5 months, incubating at 76-78 degrees.

 

[Montium]

very cool

 

[MelissaB]

I have some of those that I haven't had a chance to try yet. Thank you for posting about your experience with them.
When the other batch hatches, I wonder if there will be a difference in size of the neonates.

 

[maxttu]

MelissaB, one verm egg has already hatched out and there is no noticeable difference.

More eggs have split, so I'll see what's up in the next few days. [emoji106]

 

[ChamDE86]

Chocolate chameleons! Very cool!

 

[MelissaB]

MelissaB, one verm egg has already hatched out and there is no noticeable difference.

More eggs have split, so I'll see what's up in the next few days. [emoji106]

Excellent! Are you using perlite as a medium underneath the trays?

 

[maxttu]

Excellent! Are you using perlite as a medium underneath the trays?

No, ma'am. Simply add 1/4-1/2" of water to the deli cup and that's it. Never had to add any more during the 7-7.5 month incubation time. [emoji106]

 

[MelissaB]

That's even better! I can't wait to try it out. No messy substrate sticking to hatchlings, and seeing the water level at all times.

 

[Dooley1]

What temperatures did you use?

 

[maxttu]

What temperatures did you use?

Kevin, I posted the temps in the original post. The thermo was set between 76-78 degrees.

 

[Rango3d]

What are those egg trays?
Where did you get them?
Info please

 

[maxttu]

What are those egg trays?

Where did you get them?

Info please

You can find them online or maybe your local Reptile show. I picked mine up from Repticon Houston.

Search THG egg trays. Here's one link that I found:

http://www.alphageckos.com/thg-gecko-egg-tray/

 

[Rango3d]

Thanks
And they fit in s deli cup?

 

[maxttu]

Thanks

And they fit in s deli cup?

See the pics above. They were made to fit solo and other brands.

 

[Rango3d]

Thanks for the info
I'll have to give them a try myself

 

[Decadancin]

These eggs were half the size of the vermiculite eggs.

Just for clarification, (I generally need some ) were these eggs from a different clutch? Why were they smaller than the other eggs? I'm wondering if there could be some other reason for the faster hatch time. I'd love to have a control group from the same clutch and with as many same factors as possible to see if there is a significant difference.

Oh, and of course, Congrats on the babies!!!!

 

[maxttu]

Just for clarification, (I generally need some ) were these eggs from a different clutch? Why were they smaller than the other eggs? I'm wondering if there could be some other reason for the faster hatch time. I'd love to have a control group from the same clutch and with as many same factors as possible to see if there is a significant difference.



Oh, and of course, Congrats on the babies!!!!

Mike, it has been awhile!

I pulled 12 eggs from one clutch to try out in these trays. The remaining eggs went into your typical vermiculite setup.

All of the eggs were placed into the same incubator set at 76-78 degrees.

My theory on the quicker hatch time would be the air circulation that the trays provide to the eggs. That is one of the main points of interests from the manufacturer. As for the size diff, I have no thoughts.

I'll try and take a comparison pic of the two sizes. But when I tell you that the verm eggs are twice as big, I'm not exaggerating.

 

[maxttu]

Also, there are no noticeable differences in the size of the neonates.

 

[Decadancin]

Cool! I am intrigued! (and yes, it has been a while )

 

[Mike Fisher]

I'll try and take a comparison pic of the two sizes. But when I tell you that the verm eggs are twice as big, I'm not exaggerating.

That's because eggs incubated on vermiculite can absorb extra water directly from the medium, whereas with the egg trays they only get moisture from the air. That's why many years ago I switched to mostly dry perlite with standing water on the bottom of the container. And I don't nest them in the substrate, just placed right on top. Same concept.

Here's what I've noticed about hatch rates with over hydrated eggs.....They are usually lower. I surmise that with all the water in the shell, if it doesn't sweat enough water out, the baby chameleon may not be able to even touch the shell with enough pressure to pip it. So, that is what I assume is happening when and egg sweats but fails to pip and you find a dead neonate inside. Just a theory I've had for a long time.

Thanks for the post, I'll be trying out the trays on my next clutch.