Natural Nest v.s. Incubator

omarnegron

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Feb 28, 2016
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Puerto Rico, USA
Hi!

One of my Redfoot laid two eggs for the first time today. So, as you can imagine, I have a lot of questions in my mind, but the main question is: What is better for the eggs? The nest or a homemade incubator?

I know that a lot of professionals here use incubators due to some factors like weather, predators, humidity control, etc. But in my case, I live in a caribbean island (Puerto Rico) where the weather is nice (except hurricane season) with an average temperature of 85C during the next four months, very humid and no predators in my neighborhood.

I really want to read your opinions.

Thanks!

IMG_1544148196.359226.jpgIMG_1544148240.641361.jpg
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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After a few days of being layed, you must not rotate the eggs.
You are in a tropical area like I am in Florida. For years, I dug up my eggs and incubated them. A few hatched. Maybe 1 in every 6.
To my surprise, last year long after I'd rehomed most of my tortoises I found a hatchling roaming around my enclosure. He survived as an egg when it was in the mid 40s for a few nights and well into the 50s a few nights.
I say leave them alone. Take advantage of your location.
I'm going to if I have eggs in the future.
 

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Sesel

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What is better for the eggs? The nest or a homemade incubator?

We have no experience with Redfoots, only Aldabras.
In our experience, incubators will result in more babies if the eggs are fertile.
It doesn't have to be an expensive incubator. Here (Seychelles), we often incubate the eggs at room temperature and have had much success.
If your area is large enough that the same female or another female will not dig in the same nest, and there is no flooding, I would leave the eggs in the nest.
 

omarnegron

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2016
Messages
51
Location (City and/or State)
Puerto Rico, USA
We have no experience with Redfoots, only Aldabras.
In our experience, incubators will result in more babies if the eggs are fertile.
It doesn't have to be an expensive incubator. Here (Seychelles), we often incubate the eggs at room temperature and have had much success.
If your area is large enough that the same female or another female will not dig in the same nest, and there is no flooding, I would leave the eggs in the nest.

I only have a female, a male and a three years old baby. The area is big enough, so I will be following your advise. Thanks!
 

omarnegron

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2016
Messages
51
Location (City and/or State)
Puerto Rico, USA
I know that a lot of professionals here use incubators due to some factors like weather, predators, humidity control, etc. But in my case, I live in a caribbean island (Puerto Rico) where the weather is nice (except hurricane season) with an average temperature of 85C during the next four months, very humid and no predators in my neighborhood.

The average temperature is 85F, not 85C... [emoji6]
 

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