First time with gravid female

[waltersgirl]

I am fairly certain my girl's eggs (this time anyways) are going to be infertile but she is very gravid nonetheless. I got Pumpkin 4 weeks ago from a local guy selling her on craigslist. I know Popeye (my male) got ahold of her 2 weeks ago but I don't think he would have fertilized this round of eggs as she is VERY gravid. (They have separate cages but I have allowed them to visit on the floor in the living room. I stepped out of the room for two seconds and I guess that was all he needed because I returned and he was full swing. Not wanting to hurt either of them I didn't stop what was already in progress so if she lays a second clutch, I am certain they will be fertile.) I would say I can physically count at least 10 eggs that I can feel when she is in the bath and they are at least the size of a boulder marble. She started digging in the corner of her cage two days ago and reduced her intake though not completely. I moved her into her lay box yesterday evening 12/23 and she went right to work digging and digging and digging. She has since dug the whole box-every corner at least twice. Thinking the vermiculite was not moist enough I added some water and packed everything down again this morning 12/24 but she just keeps digging the box up all the way to the bottom and then going to another location and digging again. I have packed things down a couple of times, helped her start tunnels a couple of times, but she just buries them as she digs somewhere else. Occasionally, she stops and rests. Sometimes she claws at the sides of the box to get out. I removed her this evening, gave her a nice warm bath and returned her to the box. She dug up two more corners. I went back in the room to check on her and decided to see if all the digging had worked up enough appetite to get her to eat. She ate about 6 or 7 dubia's (she has been eating twice that up until a couple days ago) but then turned and went to the other corner of the box. She was just sitting under the light when I went in to turn it off and the heat emitter on.
So I guess my question is: Should I be worried she hasn't been able to find a spot she is comfortable laying in? I put her half log in there right after I fed her as I read that someone else does that and since she was digging under it in her cage (although I have carpet not sand in her cage) I thought it might help her. At what point do I worry she hasn't laid her eggs? Should I leave her in the box or put her back in her cage for a day? I have a metal wire lid on the lay box and her regular light on top of it during the day as she needs the warmth in the room she is in ( separated her for privacy and quiet) because with the door closed the wood stove does not provide any warmth to it. The thermometer I have in the box (although I keep having to dig it up because she keeps burying it) reads between 75 and 85 depending on if it is buried when I look or sitting on top of the substrate. I want to do what is best for her and least stressful. I just feel like I am failing at providing what she needs to lay her eggs. Advice from those who have been here before would be appreciated.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....what she is doing is pretty typical, although all beardies can approach egg laying differently. She is near to laying now, so just let her do her thing. You can return her to her regular tank for part of the day but keep her in the lay box at least half of the day. Sand mixed with the vermiculite would actually be better, it makes it heavier + more natural than just vermiculite....but she will eventually lay. They don't usually do things on OUR schedule....sometimes they surprise you by laying them in the tank even after given a perfectly acceptable laying box.....but it does sound as if the time is near. Give her a 10 minute soak at mid-day so she can get a drink if she wants and get some of the mess off of her, but then pat her dry + let her warm up in her tank for a good 1/2 hour at least before putting her back in the lay box.

 

[waltersgirl]

Thanks, I just checked on her and she is busy digging away. I guess I have to practice what I preach...patience is a virtue, not an option. Her breathing seems so labored but I am sure that is from the hard work and the lack of space in her poor little body from all the eggs. I guess I have just heard so many horror stories of egg binding that I am afraid of losing her and want to make sure she can do what she needs to do. Thanks for your time and advice. I will check on her again in a little while and give her that bath is she isn't digging at full speed. Have a blessed day.

 

[waltersgirl]

She is still just digging holes and tunnels, then moving on to another tunnel. I put her in her cage she tries digging in there. She has been at this almost continuously since the 23rd and today is the 28th. At what point to do I worry?

 

[AHBD]

I know, it's nerve wracking if they take a long time ! Sometimes it does take this long. All you can do is let her dig. Give her a soak during the day so she can drink, and offer food if she wants it. Generally you only worry if they go from digging to suddenly very lethargic, no energy, black beard. Then you might get her to a vet to see the position of the eggs + whether or not she can be assisted....other than that, her behavior is still normal.