Scared Mommy Waiting On Labor.....

[QuincysBoo]

Hi, my Raga has been gravid for almost 6 weeks.. The eggs are becoming more prominent and she is window dancing/scratching.. She won't eat, she just look down right miserable.. You pick her up and her belly is so heavy... And I am sitting here all nervous and scared... Just wanting her to lay so she will stop being so miserable.... This is her first time, I can't express how much I am feeling now... She has a lay box in her cage..... I am just .....

 

[spurlee01]

I know your pain! Lilly had infertile eggs then reabsorbed them. I was told that they really do best with an out of the tank laybox. I used a big 18gal sterilyte container and 50lbs of sand! I wish you the best of luck, hopefully she lays soon!

 

[QuincysBoo]

I was told top soil does the best because it packs better so they can build a secure tunnel.... Is this true?

 

[spurlee01]

I have heard that, yes. I used sand because I was in a bit of a pinch! I did not expect infertile eggs until she was quite far along! Or at least I thought she was.

 

[QuincysBoo]

Although she does like sand ...hmmm maybe I should go get some sand....

 

[spurlee01]

I've heard you can mix the two as well!

 

[QuincysBoo]

what would u do.. this is what I got right now ....

 

[spyder79]

Has she dug in it at all? what i do with my females is to have a bin with a lid on it with a screen cut out in the top that way all she has to think about is digging. Also, if you start a hole for her and place her head first in the hole she should start digging.

 

[spyder79]

also, and it could just be the picture, that soil looks awful dry. The digging media needs to be slightly damp (ie if you took a handful of it and squeezed it a drop or 2 of water would squeeze out) this makes it more moldable so that the female can dig a secure tunel that will not collapse on her.

 

[QuincysBoo]

The only thing she is digging is the window but when i sit there and watch her and she is so miserable and if feels like she has a lot of eggs and this is her first time... And tomorrow will be the beginning of 4 weeks... ok I will check that.. and wet it down more if need. the incubator been at 83 degrees and 60 humidity all night and all day.. My brain is racked!!!!

 

[spyder79]

can you put together a larger laying bin? try this and if it doesnt work within a few days i highly suggest contacting a specialist just to be certain that there is not egg binding.

here is laying bin 101
30 gallon grey tupperware/sterlite container from Home Depot - $7
1 bag of all natural top soil from Home Depot or Garden Center -$8
You will need a 40 watt spot light bulb with brooder lamp - $13 (Both can be purchased from Home Depot for $4-$5 each)

Now you will need to moisten the top soil to until is very damp but not wet... I like to create a 45 degree hole in one corner of the container, and I place the female head first into that corner. Her instincts will take over from here provided the top soil or sand is warm enough. Don't use vermiculite it's not that good for digging, and it's expensive compared to sand or top soil in large quanities... So save the vermiculite for incubation of the eggs...

Before the female is placed in the lay box you need to cut a hole in the top of the lid so the 40 watt spot light can shine down inside of the bin for warmth... I cut my holes just slightly larger than the diameter of the bulb, and the brooder/lamp fixture will rest on top of the lid...

Once that's all set, your female will dig for up to 2 hours before laying... But if she's not to picky she will lay almost immediately after finishing her first hole. Now she may dig "test" holes, where she might lay 1-2 eggs on one hole, and decide she doesn't like that hole. Then cover those eggs up and move on to another hole where she might lay the remainder of the eggs. So be sure to check all of the corners of the bin before deciding you have all of her eggs.

 

[spyder79]

so its been 6 weeks since you wittnessed the act of mating?

how much weight has she gained?

 

[QuincysBoo]

Ok.. They mated January 3, 2010
December 4, 2009 she weighed 13 1/2 ounces - 382.71 grams

January 14, 2010 she weighed 14 ounces - 396.893 grams

January 23, 2010 she weighed 14 1/2 ounces - 411.068 grams

January 24, 2010 will be the start of the 4th week ...I weted it down more, dug a hole and stuck her head in it she looked at me like I was crazy and I made it where she can't get out and there is heat the box is in her box cage...It's a big box. lol



She gained 14.175 grams

 

[spyder79]

unless im doing my math wrong she gained around 29 grams? lol

Like i said give it time if she doesnt want to lay then she isnt ready to lay.

 

[QuincysBoo]

yeah 29 grams total from December 4, 09 to January 23, 10 but if you go from January 3rd, 10 when they mated to January 23, 10 it would be 14.175 grams ... And tomorrow is the beginning of week 4 and her eggs are becoming more visible... I made her box more closed in only a opening for her to get in and out so she can have her privacy and maybe feel more secure...