Egg box moisture reducing during incubation

[cjpossum]

Hi all

We are currently incubating Central Bearded Dragon eggs and they are roughly half way through cooking (about 45 days in).

We have them in a plastic container with 2 small holes in the lid, so we don't have to open for air exchange every 2-3 days. We started with 50/50 mix with vermiculite and have noticed in the last week that the moisture on the side of the egg box is reducing a fair bit.
I have added about 5mL of water about 3 days ago and this didn't seem to do much as far as increasing condensation on the side of the egg box.

We are asking what we should do as far as adding water or not at this stage of incubation and if we add water how much should be added. The mix in the beginning was 300g of vermiculite and 300g of water. We did not weigh the total weight with the eggs (should have , this would have indicated how much water has been lost)

I expected moisture loss due to the vent holes, but not this much as this stage of incubation.

Thankyou for your help and have a great break

Inserted are photoes of the reduced condensation egg box (1st photo) and another that is only 28 days in and looking good, same set-up as the first box

 

[Southside Morelia]

What are the temps? Too high temps will increase moisture loss.
Keep the substrate moist and don't panic! lol
They'll be fine. Spray the eggs & substrate with water to moisten them, don't add water by pouring it in..
Too much moisture is not good, too little is not enough, BUT the eggs are tougher then you think, keep the substrate moist and you'll be fine!
Good luck!!!.

 

[cjpossum]

The eggs are incubated at 29DegC.
The 5mL of water I added was using a syringe and placing water drops around the outter edge of the egg box

I wasnt sure that spraying the eggs was a good idea, but maby I was wrong???

Thanks for your reply

 

[Southside Morelia]

Don'y worry, the water added, only 5mls will be fine.
You really don't have to be so anal (not being disrespectful or condescending), keep the substrate moist and it will be sweet.
Fine mist spraying and airing the eggs at the same time is the way to go.
In a couple of weeks you'll see that all the worry was not worth it. Next time it will be a breeze!

The eggs are incubated at 29DegC.
The 5mL of water I added was using a syringe and placing water drops around the outter edge of the egg box

Thanks for your reply

 

[cjpossum]

Don'y worry, the water added, only 5mls will be fine.
You really don't have to be so anal (not being disrespectful or condescending), keep the substrate moist and it will be sweet.
Fine mist spraying and airing the eggs at the same time is the way to go.
In a couple of weeks you'll see that all the worry was not worth it. Next time it will be a breeze!

Thanks Southside, I know I can be a little anal in getting things spot on in regards to reptiles, however we would like to get all of the kinks straightened out as next breeding season we hopefully will be incubating BHP, Womas, Spotteds and Darwins (the white ones) and Bredli.

Maby I am trying to hard

Thanks and merry x-mas

 

[Southside Morelia]

Nature is never an exact science as long as the right parameters are there, all's sweet.
Merry Chrissy to you too.
Let us know how you go.
Cheers....

Thanks Southside, I know I can be a little anal in getting things spot on in regards to reptiles, however we would like to get all of the kinks straightened out as next breeding season we hopefully will be incubating BHP, Womas, Spotteds and Darwins (the white ones) and Bredli.

Maby I am trying to hard

Thanks and merry x-mas