Veiled Egg Incubation Complications

[Lady Luck]

Hi need some advice. I live in Gauteng south Africa so my chameleons stay outside most of the year and I dont make use of any lights. I have 40 veiled eggs in incubation but recent noticed the eggs prematurely start leaking and then the egg goes mouldy. I have had success previously x 4 years in a row until now. what could the be the reason...? female getting to old?? could she not be getting enough exercises be the reason? I always make sure to feed her calcium powder without D3 before and after mating until she lays the eggs. I use incubation medium of 50% vermeculight and 50% perilight. incubation is at 27°C. I feel like a bad mother since I Started with 59 eggs now have 40 left.

 

[KobaOregonherper]

Hi need some advice. I live in Gauteng south Africa so my chameleons stay outside most of the year and I dont make use of any lights. I have 40 veiled eggs in incubation but recent noticed the eggs prematurely start leaking and then the egg goes mouldy. I have had success previously x 4 years in a row until now. what could the be the reason...? female getting to old?? could she not be getting enough exercises be the reason? I always make sure to feed her calcium powder without D3 before and after mating until she lays the eggs. I use incubation medium of 50% vermeculight and 50% perilight. incubation is at 27°C. I feel like a bad mother since I Started with 59 eggs now have 40 left.

Have you tried using a small light to make sure theyre actually developing? They can go a long time and not mold or shrivel, if ever. Ive seen females lay successful clutches months before they died of old age.

 

[Beman]

@Brodybreaux25

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Agreed, start by candleing them from the top to ensure viability.

 

[JacksJill]

When was she bred last? Is it possible this clutch wan't fertilized?

 

[Lady Luck]

she was mated with two males from two unrelated strains a couple of times. she laid the eggs 1 march. I have always used the bain marie method of incubation. to scared to touch them as they seem so fragile that when I did touch one it split and started leaking egg fluid. she lays eggs once a year as she only allows the male once a year. Ive had her for 5 years now. Ill try the candeling idea but not with all of them, and revert back as soon as I have news. could the perilight be too abrasive for the eggs, like scratching the surface?

 

[Lady Luck]

Agreed, start by candleing them from the top to ensure viability.

there should be red veins if im correct ???

 

[Brodybreaux25]

You can candle the eggs from the top, no need to lift or turn them.

What is the Bain Marie method?

 

[Brodybreaux25]

there should be red veins if im correct ???

Correct

 

[Lady Luck]

could it also be that the one male might be too old as well since hes turning 10 this year?

 

[Lady Luck]

You can candle the eggs from the top, no need to lift or turn them.

What is the Bain Marie method?

polystyrene containers with water in the bottom and a aquarium heater making sure egg containers do not touch the water. Electronic thermostat uses to keep an eye on the temp.
Is there a certain humidity level in the egg containers I should be focusing on ?

 

[Brodybreaux25]

polystyrene containers with water in the bottom and a aquarium heater making sure egg containers do not touch the water. Electronic thermostat uses to keep an eye on the temp.
Is there a certain humidity level in the egg containers I should be focusing on ?

Im sure there is but ive never focused on one, ive always just accepted relative humidity.

 

[kinyonga]

Can you post a recent photo of the eggs please?

If the humidity is too high the eggs take on too much moisture and swell and burst as a rule. However I can't tell you at what point the humidity becomes too high. I never measured it when I incubated veiled eggs. I don't do them in the types of incubators everyone else uses. I have always used my own homemade setup.

https://www.madcham.de/en/inkubation-der-eier/