Hatching Help needed

clairestortoise · 10-08-2010, 11:23 AM

Hi I am posting this on behalf of a friend, Her baby is hatching, The head and leg was out yesterday, How long will it take till fully hatched? and then what do you have to do to make sure all is well? Does she need to feed little one? If so what should be fed? Help very much appreciated Thanks

10-08-2010, 06:18 PM

Hatchlings pierce the eggshell using an egg-tooth like appendage ( actually an egg-caruncle) gradually enlarging this opening by biting small pieces from the eggshell and pushing with the front legs.

Immediately hatching begins the eggs should be kept under continuous observation. Hatching can take some time; between 2-5 hours is average for T. graeca, T. hermanni and T. marginata. Once access to air has been gained, the young tortoise will often stay in the egg for a day or more gradually gaining in strength and allowing time for the egg-sac to be properly absorbed. If a hatchling is in obvious trouble and is clearly weakening then careful assistance can be given. Provided that hatching is in full progress giving such aid will not do any harm. Do not ever initiate hatching artificially - even if it appears that the 'normal' incubation period is long past and hatching is overdue. Tortoises have been hatching without assistance from humans for millions of years and really don't need our unwelcome (and usually untimely) interference. If you find yourself having to break open eggs to get live hatchlings then look again at your incubation technique. You are going badly wrong somewhere along the line.

Helen M · 10-08-2010, 06:22 PM

Sounds like the baby is hatchling normally. It can take hours or days for them to fully hatch. Don't be tempted to try and free the baby as it may have a yolk sac that it needs to absorb and you don't want to risk damaging. Your friend could try drop feeding water just to keep the baby hydrated. Make sure also that the incubator is humid so that the baby doesn't dry up in the egg.

Helen xx

clairestortoise · 10-08-2010, 06:33 PM

Hi Thank you for your replies, I have passed on ur info, sadly she thinks little one has died. How do u know for sure if it has died??

Helen M · 10-08-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clairestortoise

Hi Thank you for your replies, I have passed on ur info, sadly she thinks little one has died. How do u know for sure if it has died??

I guess if it hasn't really progressed in hatching for some time it may have died. Has it not moved at all recently?

Helen xx

clairestortoise · 10-08-2010, 06:52 PM

Last night it was active, now head and legs are inside the shell...

Helen M · 10-08-2010, 06:54 PM

She could maybe touch its legs to see if she gets a reaction? It may be resting.

Helen xx

clairestortoise · 10-08-2010, 06:58 PM

no movement since this morning

**egyptiandan64** · 10-08-2010, 10:14 PM

It's time than to make the hole bigger and check on the hatchling Claire. Touching the head would give you a better indication of whats going on.

Danny

TortBabe · 11-08-2010, 01:48 AM

Hope all is well

10-08-2010, 11:23 AM	#1
clairestortoise Member Juvenile Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 754	Hatching Help needed Hi I am posting this on behalf of a friend, Her baby is hatching, The head and leg was out yesterday, How long will it take till fully hatched? and then what do you have to do to make sure all is well? Does she need to feed little one? If so what should be fed? Help very much appreciated Thanks __________________ Owner of 3 Horsfield Tortoises 9 Cats, Wallace 15, Blackie 10, Scooby&Phoebe(Bro&Sis) 9, Gucci 6, Snuggles 5 and Oliver 3 and Blossom and Billy 10 months old Tye 9 Yr old Yorkie 2 children 1 Husband http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.p...e&id=523711412

10-08-2010, 06:33 PM	#4
clairestortoise Member Juvenile Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 754	Hi Thank you for your replies, I have passed on ur info, sadly she thinks little one has died. How do u know for sure if it has died?? __________________ Owner of 3 Horsfield Tortoises 9 Cats, Wallace 15, Blackie 10, Scooby&Phoebe(Bro&Sis) 9, Gucci 6, Snuggles 5 and Oliver 3 and Blossom and Billy 10 months old Tye 9 Yr old Yorkie 2 children 1 Husband http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.p...e&id=523711412

10-08-2010, 06:52 PM	#6
clairestortoise Member Juvenile Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 754	Last night it was active, now head and legs are inside the shell... __________________ Owner of 3 Horsfield Tortoises 9 Cats, Wallace 15, Blackie 10, Scooby&Phoebe(Bro&Sis) 9, Gucci 6, Snuggles 5 and Oliver 3 and Blossom and Billy 10 months old Tye 9 Yr old Yorkie 2 children 1 Husband http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.p...e&id=523711412

10-08-2010, 06:58 PM	#8
clairestortoise Member Juvenile Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 754	no movement since this morning __________________ Owner of 3 Horsfield Tortoises 9 Cats, Wallace 15, Blackie 10, Scooby&Phoebe(Bro&Sis) 9, Gucci 6, Snuggles 5 and Oliver 3 and Blossom and Billy 10 months old Tye 9 Yr old Yorkie 2 children 1 Husband http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.p...e&id=523711412

10-08-2010, 10:14 PM	#9
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	It's time than to make the hole bigger and check on the hatchling Claire. Touching the head would give you a better indication of whats going on. Danny __________________

10-08-2010, 06:18 PM	#2
Terriandlola Guest Posts: n/a	Hatchlings pierce the eggshell using an egg-tooth like appendage ( actually an egg-caruncle) gradually enlarging this opening by biting small pieces from the eggshell and pushing with the front legs. Immediately hatching begins the eggs should be kept under continuous observation. Hatching can take some time; between 2-5 hours is average for T. graeca, T. hermanni and T. marginata. Once access to air has been gained, the young tortoise will often stay in the egg for a day or more gradually gaining in strength and allowing time for the egg-sac to be properly absorbed. If a hatchling is in obvious trouble and is clearly weakening then careful assistance can be given. Provided that hatching is in full progress giving such aid will not do any harm. Do not ever initiate hatching artificially - even if it appears that the 'normal' incubation period is long past and hatching is overdue. Tortoises have been hatching without assistance from humans for millions of years and really don't need our unwelcome (and usually untimely) interference. If you find yourself having to break open eggs to get live hatchlings then look again at your incubation technique. You are going badly wrong somewhere along the line.

10-08-2010, 06:22 PM	#3
Helen M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,362	Sounds like the baby is hatchling normally. It can take hours or days for them to fully hatch. Don't be tempted to try and free the baby as it may have a yolk sac that it needs to absorb and you don't want to risk damaging. Your friend could try drop feeding water just to keep the baby hydrated. Make sure also that the incubator is humid so that the baby doesn't dry up in the egg. Helen xx

10-08-2010, 06:54 PM	#7
Helen M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,362	She could maybe touch its legs to see if she gets a reaction? It may be resting. Helen xx

11-08-2010, 01:48 AM	#10
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Hope all is well __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

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