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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 11, 2008 17:23:01 GMT -8
Well, arrived home from work today to a little surprise. Lucky has laid her first egg. ;D
She has been digging at her cage, but she always has. I think it's about time to let her start roaming the house a little.
She sure has come a long way since we adopted her. I really did not think she was going to live long at that time.
She laid another early in the evening as well. Lets see what happens tomorrow.
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Post by prism_wolf on Aug 11, 2008 20:35:59 GMT -8
Hey LP!! Sounds like you have some real prepping that needs to be done. There are signs when they become gravid...not just digging, but loss of appetite and getting FAT...which the combo of not eating and getting that way is a complete contradiction together. She needs a nesting box. If she doesn't lay within 24-48 hours...you want to start thinking about a vet. She should have extra hydrating foods and a boost in calcium.
A nest box can be as simple as a large tote with a hole cut in the uppermost portion of the box which is filled with potting soil and sand damp enough to hold it's shape. A heat lamp should be placed over the box to keep it nice and warm. Do this tomorrow and she may even actually take to it!
By the end of the week she should get an xray done - especially since there's been no pre-egg care - to make sure she's laid all the eggs.
Good luck!!
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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 12, 2008 1:24:01 GMT -8
Thanks PM
I did get busy after I saw the first egg last night and whipped up a nesting box for her. She spent a lot of time digging around in it.
Her appetite is always hit and miss. Sometimes goes for two or three days without eating and then a few of absolute gorging. She is what I would refer to as corpulent and has been for the last year or so.
I will up the calcium as you suggested as well as the hydrating foods.
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Post by Merlin on Aug 12, 2008 5:11:35 GMT -8
And be very careful when handling her!
Too rough and you could rupture one of the eggs inside her and thats REALLY bad!
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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 15, 2008 14:58:40 GMT -8
Just watched her lay another 25 eggs not five minutes ago.
What a sight that was. She's laid a total of 27 so far. and looking very thin and tired as well.
She did dig in the nesting box, but dropped most of the eggs from the top shelf of her enclosure.
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Post by Merlin on Aug 15, 2008 15:38:03 GMT -8
Zok is the same way. Mice nifty nesting set up...but does she use it? NOOOOOOOOOO!
Up on her basking shelf!
And be careful. Immediately after laying they are still in "guard the eggs mode". Thats the only time Zok has shown me any hostility.
An hour later she couldn't have cared less.
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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 15, 2008 15:49:35 GMT -8
Yes, Guard Mode indeed, she actually hissed at me like a croc. Thought I'd share a couple of pics as well:  A tired girl  The second batch of eggs. Total of 43 so far  |
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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 15, 2008 16:17:32 GMT -8
Updated total 49, so far
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Post by LotharsPeople on Aug 20, 2008 12:31:50 GMT -8
Well, It looks like she finished laying on Friday. We went on a little planned holiday Saturday and just arrived home. Had my brother-in-law watching the monsters for us while gone.
She layed a total of 60 eggs and looks like death warmed over now. Talk about skinny.
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Post by prism_wolf on Aug 21, 2008 20:00:01 GMT -8
Poor girl. They do look awful. The female I had lay eggs went 54. She weighed 4 lbs with eggs...3 lbs after laying. 1/4 of her weight was those eggs!
Now get her to the vet and make sure they're totally gone. For her to go that long laying her eggs is not natural and eggs can be retained very easily causing dystocia which is 100% fatal every time and 100% preventable with a good vet and an x-ray.
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