Incubation - the secret

Esio Trot II · 03-07-2009, 01:01 PM

I have 2 Testudo hermanni, male and female aged about 8.
The female has laid 3 clutches of two eggs this year, the 3rd is currently uncubating.
The first 2 clutches failed, but we bought an elctronically measured incubator, kept the temp. at 30C, and buried them a few cm deep in vermiculite, keeping careful control.
So does anybody know why the eggs didn't work out? Is there a connection between the female's first ever clutches and unsuccessfulness? is there a secret?

Dawn Fletcher · 03-07-2009, 01:18 PM

well i never bury mine...so I wouldn't know how succesful or not it is to bury them.
I simply lay them on top of vermiculite and bed them in a little tiny bit.
My incubator is always at 31.5 to get females and the humidity is set at 70%.
Could it be that the humidity is higher with them being burried maybe???

Dawn

Esio Trot II · 03-07-2009, 01:25 PM

I think perhaps the humidity is less with them buried, and the 2 infertile clutches looked as if they dried out before so this time i spray them with a fine mist every few days to keep the humidity high. Are you a successful breeder?

I read on the tortoise trust website to bury them, otherwise i wouldn't have.

**sarah** · 03-07-2009, 01:56 PM

I use hovabator incubators

Do you just set the humidity and temp on the incubator? if yes i really recommend using an additional thermometer with a probe to make sure it is the correct temperature. Alot of people have been caught out.

I use vermiculite also, i wet it then squeeze it in my hands till its not dripping with water.

Then a make a little dent in the vermiculite where i want the eggs to sit.

Temps 30-31c
Humidity 70-80%

Esio Trot II · 03-07-2009, 02:33 PM

Yep i use a hovabator incubator, and i have a probe thermometer. There is nothing to measure the humidity though, so i just guess. So would you suggest sitting the eggs on top of the vermiculite? Also do you know how much they should weigh?

**sarah** · 03-07-2009, 02:35 PM

Thats probably where your going wrong guessing
I use these http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/...eter-p-77.html

Dawn Fletcher · 03-07-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esio Trot II

I think perhaps the humidity is less with them buried, and the 2 infertile clutches looked as if they dried out before so this time i spray them with a fine mist every few days to keep the humidity high. Are you a successful breeder?

I read on the tortoise trust website to bury them, otherwise i wouldn't have.

Yes I am a succesful breeder.....since I started breeding I have only ever had two eggs fail on me .....and many little tortoise hatchlings for sale.
I am an approved breeder on the "Tortoise Protection Group"

I also have another 21 eggs in my incubator at the moment of which the first of these eggs are due to start pipping nextweek onwards !!
check out my other postings to see my hermanns eggs being candled and their developements.

Dawn
xXx

Dawn Fletcher · 03-07-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah

Thats probably where your going wrong guessing
I use these http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/...eter-p-77.html

I have one of these although i bought mine off ebay for £6.00 delivered....its very accurate and i have 100% succes rate with my incubator which is a herp nursery II
would highly recomend it.

Dawn

Esio Trot II · 03-07-2009, 02:51 PM

Ok i will do, thanks

03-07-2009, 01:01 PM	#1
Esio Trot II Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 41	Incubation - the secret I have 2 Testudo hermanni, male and female aged about 8. The female has laid 3 clutches of two eggs this year, the 3rd is currently uncubating. The first 2 clutches failed, but we bought an elctronically measured incubator, kept the temp. at 30C, and buried them a few cm deep in vermiculite, keeping careful control. So does anybody know why the eggs didn't work out? Is there a connection between the female's first ever clutches and unsuccessfulness? is there a secret?

03-07-2009, 01:56 PM	#4
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	I use hovabator incubators Do you just set the humidity and temp on the incubator? if yes i really recommend using an additional thermometer with a probe to make sure it is the correct temperature. Alot of people have been caught out. I use vermiculite also, i wet it then squeeze it in my hands till its not dripping with water. Then a make a little dent in the vermiculite where i want the eggs to sit. Temps 30-31c Humidity 70-80% __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

03-07-2009, 02:33 PM	#5
Esio Trot II Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 41	Yep i use a hovabator incubator, and i have a probe thermometer. There is nothing to measure the humidity though, so i just guess. So would you suggest sitting the eggs on top of the vermiculite? Also do you know how much they should weigh? __________________ Sam

03-07-2009, 02:35 PM	#6
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Thats probably where your going wrong guessing I use these http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/...eter-p-77.html __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

03-07-2009, 02:51 PM	#9
Esio Trot II Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 41	Ok i will do, thanks __________________ Sam

03-07-2009, 01:18 PM	#2
Dawn Fletcher Banned Sub Adult Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 1,174	well i never bury mine...so I wouldn't know how succesful or not it is to bury them. I simply lay them on top of vermiculite and bed them in a little tiny bit. My incubator is always at 31.5 to get females and the humidity is set at 70%. Could it be that the humidity is higher with them being burried maybe??? Dawn

03-07-2009, 01:25 PM	#3
Esio Trot II Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 41	I think perhaps the humidity is less with them buried, and the 2 infertile clutches looked as if they dried out before so this time i spray them with a fine mist every few days to keep the humidity high. Are you a successful breeder? I read on the tortoise trust website to bury them, otherwise i wouldn't have.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)