i woke up this morning to find my herman had laid eggs she lives with male so likely chance they are fertile! the local farm has offered to put them in incubator for me any info would be great as to temperature and how long to hatch please

Hi Tracy,

Congratulations!!

If a farm is going to incubate the eggs in one of their incubators, there's a good chance the incubator will be for birds and will possibly have a fan? Reptiles need a still air incubator, a fan will dry out the albumin in the egg - so you would need to ensure any fan switched off. The eggs should be placed on slighty damp vermiculie which can be sprayed daily to maintain humidity and should NOT be turned at all once in situ. The humidity need to be around 70% (quite high) and the temps around 30/31.
If you ever look to get a incubator - these are the best:-

http://www.inkaproducts.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=hovabator

Good Luck:-)

Hi
Just to begin with, have a look at the information on making an incubator, it will give you some idea on what happens and the temps you need
http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/154.asp

Hope this helps
Jane

Hi
meant to add that incubation is normally 8-11wks for nearly all species, but this does depend on the temps. The higher temps are more likely to hatch females, and the lower temp males.
Jane

how many eggs do they normally lay? she had 2. i rang the vets for advice they said if was the first clutch she could deliver eggs all week is this normal? do i need to do anything else?

On average most lay 5-6 eggs. Is your vet a specialist Tortoise vet?
Are you going to incubate them?
Jane

Hi jane they are incubated a farmer lent me one as it was unexpected arrival off eggs! it hasnt got a fan the temp is 30 and eggs are laying on vermeculli with a bit of water in the tray underneath, i put the eggs in the airing cupboard until i got sorted they were in there for 24 hours so i am hoping they will be ok. and yes it is a reptile specialist vet, Thanks for advice as this is new to me.

Hi
Well I think you are handling it just great, talk about the deep end!!!!
It would be nice for you to share your experience for us other members, we all like to learn
Thanks for your posts keep them coming
Jane

hiya jane thanks for support will keep you all posted, rhodita is booked in at vets mon for a check as she is now showing signs of being gravid! i have made anesting site for her andalso tried popping warm water over it to encourage her, nothing as yet!

Hi
That is the only way you will be able to see if she has any more eggs. He will probbaly suggest Oxytocin which will help to induce the egg laying, and of course warm baths like you are doing will help. Will be interested to hear more when you get back from the vets
Good luck
Jane

Hi Jane another egg today so thats 3 so far however she hadnt buried it i found it on top of soil, i have popped it in the incubator with others so hopefully it will be ok. Is it normal for torts to lay eggs over a few days like this? thanks again