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Separating eggs that "stick" together.

The BoidSmith

The BoidSmith

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Anyone that has reproduced ball pythons knows how difficult it is to separate eggs once they stick together. When using large containers where to place them that’s not a big issue, but when we use smaller delis (as in my case) that fit snuggly in Hovabators that becomes more of a challenge. The delis need to close in order not to defeat their purpose, which are stabilizing temperature and moisture, and avoid the newborns to get in contact with the heating element upon hatching. Even when doing it gently part of the outer membrane of one egg ends up adhered to the adjacent, leaving one of them with a real thin membrane (where they were “glued” together). Has anyone figure a reliable method to split them apart with the least damage to the outer membrane. I was told that working your way gently with dental floss can do the trick but I would like to hear from other people’s experience.

Thanks in advance.
 
I don't work with ball pythons, but this is what I have done with other varieties: (obviously, start by taking note of which end is up) with a dropper or fine mister, lightly wet the eggs at the contact area; then, after a minute or few, gently peel them apart. blot the egg dry and place in incubation media. if the contact patch is on the bottom part of the egg (where it cannot be watched easily), lightly dab the area with Wite Out and allow it to dry before placing in the container. This will strengthen that area and prevent leakage. Otherwise, pop them in and keep a close eye on them. if they show any signs of leakage, treat as above. one could just as easily just do this prophylactically, but I prefer not to risk the exposure (even though I have done this for years and never noticed any problems with hatching or hatchlings)
 
Harald,

See, I had never thought about the liquid paper. I was leaning more towards that cement that's used in the skin for minor cuts. Thanks for the tip.

Regards.
 
that would probably work, too. somebody told me about the Wite Out years ago...it worked, so I didn't experiment. I know the question was more geared to separating with damaging them, but I figured I'd toss the tip out there cuz "s**t happens"

I never liked the HovaBator for snake eggs, for that very reason...I built one out of a 120qt cooler this year and was very happy with it. just debating what to do next year, since my needs will (hopefully) be at least tripled. I will probably try to scout out a refrigerator or freezer shell.
 
The thing I like about the Hovabators is that I don’t have “all my eggs in one basket”, and I can have as many incubators as I want. If a larger incubator malfunctions there’s the risk of loosing all the year’s work in just that event.

Regards.
 
that's a very good point...I had also been considering rigging up a couple more coolers - that might be the way to go. thanks for the reminder!
 
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