Question on incubation

Cheryl Hills

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i have three Russian eggs in the incubator. I have been watching them develop. So, there is an air bubble that has been increasing in size by the day. They are on day 55 now. The air bubble is at least half way down the egg. Is this normal? When should I take them off the vermiculite and use wet paper towels to stimulate hatching?
 

Tom

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i have three Russian eggs in the incubator. I have been watching them develop. So, there is an air bubble that has been increasing in size by the day. They are on day 55 now. The air bubble is at least half way down the egg. Is this normal? When should I take them off the vermiculite and use wet paper towels to stimulate hatching?
I would leave them on the vermiculite until they pip, hatch and leave their egg under their own power. Then into the brooder box on the damp paper towels. When I check the incubator and see them out of their egg, the first thing I do is get their soaking tub ready, rinse them with warm water to get the vermiculite and debris off of them, and let them enjoy their first soak while I prepare their brooder box for them.

To avoid hard water stains I rinse them with collected rain water, RO water, or distilled water after their soaks. No need to dry them off. I soak in regular tap water because they need the minerals, but the rinse after the soaks keeps them looking nice.
 

motero

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The air bubble is normal, I think it is the tortoises shell is no longer soft or slim covered enough to completely touch the inside of the egg shell making it light up like an air bubble.
 

Toddrickfl1

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I'm not really sure when to put them in wet paper towel to simulate rain but I can tell you it works. My new Redfoot hatchling was WAY overdue hatching. When I switched the egg over to damp paper towel in and over the cup she literally pipped within a few hours.
 

Toddrickfl1

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Lol I thought you had more eggs! I looked at the date after posting and realized these little eggs already hatched!
 

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