Re: [Killietalk] Egg size & storage mediums

[LeeH920226 at aol_com]

In a message dated 1/29/06 11:34:53 AM, ken_combs at sbcglobal.net writes:

<< 
Have you received eggs from oversees, and if so, have you noticed our Asian
& SA friends usually use mostly coir, and our European & American hobbyist
usually use peat? Reason I'm asking is IME, I have noticed a much lower
hatch % from those folks leading me to believe their skill is probably
equal, but their access to or use of peat may not be "equal"
 >>

I have not enough experience with shipping to notice any significant effects, 
although I have received a fair number from SA and a few from Europe. I will 
pass on this observation -- most incubation times seem to be shortened by the 
shipping process. I don't know if that is because of temperature or pressure 
variations during the shipping or what. I also have noticed that they are 
usually shipped in very little medium because of postal rates. That may make a 
difference. Coir vs. peat -- I always add peat when hatching, not before. It seems 
to help. I almost always use Jiffy 7 peat pellets as the source of peat. I 
used to boil it, now I just let it soak until fully swollen -- a few days at 
room temperature. Which is better, boiling or not boiling, I don't know.

Lee Harper
Media, PA
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