Eggs Ready for the Incubator

Here you see a clutch of eggs that have been placed in deli cups and ready to go into the incubator.

The deli cups we use have pre-punched holes in the sides. We cover all of the holes with clear tape except one. We leave one hole open for air and gas exchanges that are necessary for the development of the eggs during incubation. Be sure to place a deli cup lid on the deli cup containing the eggs to hold in the humidity.

You can use vermiculite or perilite as a substrate. We now use perilite which you can buy at a garden store or large retail store like WalMart. It is generally used for people who pot orchids or other flowers as it is an ammendment to soil for drainage. Just be sure it DOES NOT have any fertilizer additives. Place perilite or vermiculite into deli cup shallow just below the area of the holes. Moisten but do not make soggy where water will drain if tipped sideways. Then using the end of your finger gently make a deepened indention into the substrate. This is where you will place the egg. You want the egg to be buried down in the substrate half way but not sitting on the bottom of the deli cup. You want the egg to be partially buried with just the top of the egg exposed.

We incubate the eggs at a constant 84.4 degrees in a professional grade incubator and hatching usually occurs within 65 days.
A hobbyist breeder can use a Hovabator incubator to hatch out eggs. Because Hovabators will flucuate in temperature based on the room temperature changes it is best to set the temperature to stay between 82-84 degrees so as not to "overcook" the eggs which can cause death to the developing embryo. Incubating the eggs at this slightly lower temperature will not harm the eggs as it is considered within normal range. The gestation period for the eggs to hatch may go a little longer than the 65 days. Hatching may occur anywhere between 65-72 days if incubated at a slightly lower temperature than 84.4.