HELP! Need lay box advice

[jberntsenr]

Ok...so I put together moistened unfertilized soil and vermiculite in a plastic shoebox and put it in Cora's cage last night. She didn't touch it, which is no surprise, but the humidity in her cage spiked up to 50% this morning. How do I control the humidity and can I just use dry special sand?

 

[FoothillBeardie]

Ive found that my ladies wont touch that kind of setup. What Ive done is I got the biggest sterilite bin I could find that isn't clear. Put about 6" of sand in the bottom warm water till it moist to the bottom. Take the lid cut holes in it for ventilation and the lights, screen it off and put them in it. They like to feel secure as possible so I dont open it but maybe once every 90 mins or so the check on them. And if I can I just look through a vent hole. I keep it in the quietest place I can. Try that. Ill usually give them about 6 hrs in a day in there and if no action then Ill give them a bath and then but them in their enclosure again and try the next day or later that night.

 

[jberntsenr]

How do you know they are ready to lay? What kind of sand should I get? Thanks!!!!

 

[FoothillBeardie]

I use the sifted play sand from home depot its about 4 bucks a bag. Three bags was enough for my bin. I usually put them in there when theg start to get restless or try to dig in their normal enclosure. Yes even on tile or lenoleum. Others may have different ideas of when they are ready to lay. Oh and about the bin itself I would reccomend putting a hole in the side close to the bottom witg a rubber plug in it. The bin is extremley heavy with 150 lbs of sand in it and tgen add the water it probably close to 200 lbs. So you can drain off some of the water then you need to move it. Think of an ice chest with a drain.

 

[jberntsenr]

Do they get cold in there? That is alot of sand! I do not have any males so I hope this does not happen very often! I have caught her digging at her slate floor but both times were right before she was going to sleep...once was in her hide cave.

 

[FoothillBeardie]

They dont get cold I use warm water for the sand and I use a 100w light and a 24" reptisun bulb on the lid. And if I have to put the bin in the garage I get it up off tge concrete floor with some 2x4s and a small heat pad under it. Its normally about 85-90 degrees in there with the light and heat pad. But the hwar pad isnt really needed if its inside.

 

[jberntsenr]

Oh ok....it is like a secure cage...interesting. her cage is wood with glass siding doors. Wondering if I could just cover it for awhile? So she cannot see out? Thanks!

 

[FoothillBeardie]

That might work but in my experence they seem to like to choose where to dig. If you have a dome light fixture and a uvb you can use your really only looking at about 20 bucks to setup what I use. You need a bin and a couple bags of sand and some screen and a razor blade. If they arent going to be fertile eggs then get a little smaller bin and set it up. Its cheaper then the vet bill for an egg bound ladie.

 

[jberntsenr]

Our light fixtures are all attached to the wood so I will be buying new lights. I will figure something out....how do you know they are egg bound? Mine is eating like a horse and seems to be getting a little tummy but I do not feel anything. She does not seem restless....

 

[FoothillBeardie]

Well the term egg bound is used when they cant or will not lay their eggs. Generally you would feel the eggs in their stomach area for an exgended period of time. But Im no expert as I have never had a lady be egg bound. Are you sure she even has eggs in her? If not I would leave her alone with the lay box you have already and see how it goes. Check every couple of days by feeling (got to get a little rough) around her lower abdomen for lumps. Lol sounds like Im giving instructions for an at home mamogram. See if you feel anything and if you do give her a day or two if there is restless activity and attepts to dig in the normal enclosure. Then setup a laying bin.

 

[jberntsenr]

I felt aroundher and have not felt anything...she is around 19her months old and and has shed twice since we adopted her 6 weeks ago! I think she was underfed because she is twice as much as her former family told us she ate! I will get the box and supplies so I am ready when the time comes! Thanks!

 

[FoothillBeardie]

I do my best. Keep us updated.

 

[jberntsenr]

Ok...really felt around in her tummy area and felt nothing. Got some really dirty looks from Cora the Beardie though :shock:
I will get everything in order for when I do feel some eggs in there :|

Thanks for all the advice!