My first Ball Python eggs!!!!

[maxwellrhodes1]

:oI'm so excited! I HAVE EGGS!!! My female ball laid five eggs, I candled them and they are all fertile. These are my first Ball Python eggs ever! ;D

[bryan]

Congrats to you ;D Give yourself a big hand!Now comes those long 60 days. What are you incubating them in ?

[maxwellrhodes1]

I found them at 9:30 pm and was not ready at all, I was running around like a chicken with it head cut off LOL... I went to the shed and got my coleman ice chest and made a 12" heat tape and put it on the rheostat. Built a rack for the tub put in three thermometers and ran all over looking for vermiculite, finally getting it all together. I got it all done and up to temp. then put the eggs in and went to bed at like 2:00 am, then got up at 5:00am and went to work.

[bryan]

Welcome to the breeders world! You may want to get them on a thermostat. A rheostat has to be constantly checked. I have spent many days draggin butt because I was up every hour checking on eggs. Theres nothing like watching that first baby crawl out of the egg. Good luck to you! ;D

[maxwellrhodes1]

What kind of thermostat do you recommend?

[maxwellrhodes1]

Do I just switch out the rheostat with the thermostat?

[bryan]

Jun 10, 2008 18:42:13 GMT -5 maxwellrhodes1 said:

Do I just switch out the rheostat with the thermostat?

It really depends on your budget. there are two types of thermostats. a proportional thermostat is a better choice but also the most expensive. a helix is a quality thermostat and run around $136.00 from thebeanfarm.com . A proportional thermostat varies the voltage to maintain a set temp. The other type is an on off type . The heat source is turned on at a set temp and cycles off at another temp. Temp fluctuations of a few degrees occur with this type of thermostat. We use an on off type because we can run 1500 watts on this thermostat. We have hatched many clutches with an on off type thermostat . We use Johnson controls A 419 thermostats. They are reasonably priced and reliable. Some others are ranco and spyder robotics. One of the things I like about the Johnson controls is it has a heating and cooling mode and capable of 1500 watts. You can use this thermostat to run a radiant heater for room ambient control. In the summer we can use them for cooling if need be. Ill try to find the link for the Johnson controls ? Many beer brewing supply sites carry these. If cost is not an issue and you have no need for 1500 watt control buy a helix. Ill post some pics of a Johnson control later. Basically the thermostat plugs into the wall and the heat source plugs into the thermostat. There is a probe that senses temp that we put inside the egg container . There are many choices but when incubating temp control needs to be automated. With a rheostat you have to constantly adjust temps. We strive for 89 degrees as the premium temp for incubation. If you are using a rheostat and away from home and the temp creeps above 90 you may lose the whole clutch.

[bryan]

Heres a link for lots of choices but the johnson is there and reasonable. I have found them as low as $52.00 $www.reptilebasics.com/Thermostats-p-1-c-250.html

[maxwellrhodes1]

Thank you for all the advice. I have them on a thermostat now and it is staying at 88.5 to 89.1 degrees. I candled them and they are still good.

[bryan]

Great!
What thermostat did you use? Now just keep an eye on dimpling which looks like the egg is deflating. This is normal at the last week of incubation. If they show dimpling before that time you need to add some water. When adding water try not to get the eggs wet just the medium. Good luck and keep us posted. ;D

[maxwellrhodes1]

Here are the eggs

[maxwellrhodes1]

the thermostat is just a cheep one I got for $5.00 but it is working great.

[maxwellrhodes1]

Not pretty but it's working.

[bryan]

That will work fine ! You can upgrade later!

[ninja06900]

good luck