INCA":c0748 said:
well last year she laid in a small 6.5 quart rubbermaide..i put in moist vermiculate the same which she did last year and still nothing. should i get a fairly larger container and fill it up wit vermiculate? Does she need a light to lay?
Here's what I use:
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. I like to use a spoon to dig up the eggs...
Best of luck,
Anthony