Question: Culling eggs

[auntiejude]

Much as I'll hate to do it I'm probably going to have to cull some eggs .

How long have I got? I know there is a cut off for freezing - when is that? I should be able to tell which are viable in a couple of days, but I can't raise all 500 (if you want some and you're in the UK you can have some for the cost of P&P)

And is clove oil reliable for culling eggs?

 

[PatchworkClocks]

Well, if you leave at least a portion in the tank, they will either be eaten while they're still eggs, or picked off when they hatch. It's a little cruel, but at least this way you're putting a purpose to it. Other than that, I found a thread here that may help you out. http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...1335-my-axolotls-have-just-laid-eggs-o-o.html

 

[auntiejude]

Thanks Patch, I've seen that post before - but I want to know what the cut off is for freezing - whether it's 6 days or 9 days or only 4, and the post only says 'new' eggs. I did a search and couldn't find a definitive answer.

I have about 500 eggs, if no-one wants them I'll be culling to about 40, but I need to know the best way of doing this without causing suffering, and at what stage.

 

[PatchworkClocks]

I can't seem to find anything on it either. Strange. Well, I'm sure someone else has more off-hand knowledge on it than I do. Either way, I'll keep looking around.

 

[layna]

i do recall its when theyre quite young as in, still a dot in the egg, cause when the body starts to develop properly they can feel their molecules freezing and expanding
So id say within the first 7 days really

 

[Vyaavi]

I studied axolotls as part of my developmental biology class, so basically: the "brain" bits are made when you see a crease form on one side of the egg. Those folds meet and fuse, forming what will become the brain and spine. This page gives the basic idea with pictures. I only saw movement in the last stage or two of development, so somewhere between stage 22 and 40 the actual neurons form. That gives a cutoff of 5 to 10 days, based on your personal preference. Before 5 days they DEFINITELY do not have any neurons whatsoever. I hope that helps!

 

[auntiejude]

Thank you very much Vyaavi, a very useful piece of information and an intersting article.