What to do?

[Camey]

My female veiled has dug and made a cave to lay her eggs. Shes been down there for most of the day. The laying bin is in her cage and i just wanted to know wether to turn her lights off as its 10.40PM (uk time)????
Has anyone had this problem or have any ideas of what to do?
Thankyou

 

[jannb]

I would leave on a small light in the room for her to see.

 

[Miss Lily]

When Lily laid I was advised to leave her light on so she could finish the job. Those eggs are better out than in! I didn't need to leave them on in the end - just a few hours extra until she had finished and returned to her branches. If the lights are out the chances are she'll sleep in the hole anyway. I have read elsewhere that they sometimes lay at night.

 

[Camey]

Good idea never thought of that! Thanks
Do you know how long she will be down there for?

 

[Miss Lily]

She may be asleep down there anyway - they knwo when it gets dark even when there's a light on in the room. Lily started digging before 7am and finally finished covering up the hole late evening and returned to her branches at around this time of night I think. I fed her and gave her a drink and then turned the lights out as normal, albeit a couple of horus late. Is she still digging?

 

[Camey]

Shes not digging anymore but doesnt she have to turn around to lay as i can see the tip of her tail in the hole??? She might of fell asleep?!? Is that ok?

 

[Miss Lily]

Yeah, they usually turn around so the are bum down to lay. I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of Lily actually popping some eggs out! I found the whole thing very stressful but totally fascinating! If you don't see any movement she is probably sleeping. Most likely she will carry on at sunrise in the morning. Got everything crossed for you!

 

[Camey]

Thanks, me to cant wait lol! Shall i turn the lights off now? And turn them back on 1st thing.

 

[Camey]

Well now i cant see her tail! little swine.
Im going to leave the lights on for a couple more hours and see.

 

[Miss Lily]

If you think she's asleep then yes, I would if it was me. She'll be digging again as soon as it gets light in the morning I 'eggspect'. Lol, couldn't resist that one!

Edit- I was told that it wouldn't hurt to have one long day (leaving the lights on all night if I had to) if it meant getting the job done. I didn't have to make that choice, as I said. I think you'll have to go with your instinct on this one.

 

[jannb]

Don't let her see you looking it can cause her to abandon the hole and become egg bound.