Egg Substrate Question
 

Hey everyone,
This looks like it'll be my first year to get eggs! I've got 2 ladies cookin' 'em up for me! My question is, what kind of substrate is best and how much do I need to use? I doubt I'll have too many egs since both girls are virgins (up till several weeks ago hehehe!!). The first girl should lay within 30 days, she is going into shed now. The other girl I'm actually not positive if she's gravid yet. Anywho, do I need Hatchrite, vermic, or perilite? How much per egg?

Thanks!! I'm pretty pumped, but want to do this right!

It will be about 30 days from the day they shed, I use vermiculite and put it about 3-4 inches deep in the tub. Make sure you dont make it too wet, when you squeeze it no water should drip. The problem with hatchrite is you could get a bad bag and have to add water anyways so if your going to mix something up might as start from scratch. Best of luck with them and keep us updated.

I very much agree with Bob!! GL!!

I use a mixture of vermiculite and perlite. If you want to use it, mix one cup of perlite for every two cups of vermiculite. The perlite is supposed to help with the airflow around the eggs. I'm not sure if it does or not, but it's what I've always used and it has worked great for me.

On the Hatchrite, though, I too agree with Bob. I've heard some people complaining that it isn't always perfect. Use your vermiculite or vermiculite/perlite mixture and oisen yourself. Add water to it, but squeeze it in your hand--if it clumps together but breaks apart easily, you're all set. No water should drip out of it. :thumbsup:

I just use hatchrite and get it damp, then place a piece of light diffuser on top of that. This keeps the humidity levels high and the eggs aren't even in contact with the substrate so you don't have to worry about your substrate being to wet.