Is it Ok to use a rack tub system to incubate eggs? It would be heat mat type.
I have a few spare rack tubs. It would be over the heat mat section, not the cool end.
Not talking about maternal incubation.
Its my first year breeding royals. I have built a small incubator, but what if I need a bit more space or they dont all fit?
I have proper egg boxes for humidity,
Is it ok if needed to just put a proper egg box in a rack tub at ball python rack temps heated by heat mats? eg. 31c
Edtt: minimum incubation temperatures added to title based on post 7
If I encountered a situation where I had no room in the incubator Iâd allow mom to maternal incubate before I ever used another rack. Youâre essentially doing the same thing but with the help of mom. She will most likely lay the eggs right over the heat source.
Yes, i see your point, I think material incubation is the most natural way and the female would manage temps herself, possibly better than a thermostat.
but what about her needs with longer fasting? and the very high humidify for the eggs affecting her?
Is putting the eggs in a egg box in that position better or leaving them with the female for maternal incubation better?
I am leaning towards natural as you suggest, I am Just trying to learn. I donât know.
The good thing about putting the eggs in an incubator is that the mom can get back on food and you donât have the worry of if she has the body condition to hold out for the duration of incubation. Both ways are done successfully but IMO for the mom to do it would seem to require more preparation and research to make the best possible odds and environment for the eggs survival
You can use a rack to incubate eggs. Theyâll hatch at any temp between 84-90*. They arenât as sensitive as most people would lead you to believe. Lower temps=longer incubation time, and thatâs about the extent of the difference.
As long as they are in an egg box, have the right humidity, and are at the right temperature there isnât a difference between a rack and an incubator.
Firstly thanks every one who has posted. I have leaned from each one and have had my question answered in full and also thought more confidently about paternal incubation.
Yes i will use a rack in an emergency and want to try paternal if the female has sufficient fat reserves.
This was a wonderful surprise learning point for me. âMinimum safe incubation temperaturesâ as opposed to the tiny temperature range advised, the only place I had previously seen lower recommendations than the internet was here @t_h_wyman prefered (not minimum) incubation temps of 86f/30C.
Thanks for the info both. I will probably go for 30 but now not scared if it goes a bit below.
It was not what I was asking so I didnât expect it here, but I have been looking for this information online for ages unsuccessfully.
That gives incubation set ups so many other possibilities beyond the normal ones if you donât mind waiting a little longer. It also reassures me about small temperature fluctuations.
(I have edited and added minimum temps to the title to hopefully help others find that information)
If your tubs are set up right, there is no need for an egg box even.
Early in my breeding years, I set up a spare 28q rack for incubating. Worked fine. Just make certain you have it set up and temps dialed in waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of time so you know the right spot in each tub for the temps you want. Nothing sucks worse than trying to dial in the right temps while eggs are sitting in the tubs
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Small correction here - Maternal. âPaternalâ means âfatherâ and the males will just sit there and stare at the eggs like âwhat the heck is this thing?? â
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