8 eggs, fertile or infertile?

[Pattiip]

Hi, I'm Patti, a new member. I'm in the UK and have 3 Hermann tortoises. My old girl, (50yrs +) laid 8 eggs, two weeks ago.
I've been incubating at 31-32 C, humidity 70 %.
This is my second eggie experience, the first, alas, unsuccessful, possibly due to my home made incubator.
I've got the herb ll nursery which appears to keep the temperature reliable.
I candled a couple of eggs on day 14 and would love any opinions or advice. Gonna try post the (poor) quality photos.

 

[shellfreak]

1. Congrats on the eggs
2. Chris Leone probably knows the best about Hermanns. You should reach out to him
3. Candling this early will only yield disappointment. The first step in fertile eggs is chalking. Usually happens within two weeks of being laid. I've had as early as two days and as late as 15 days. Veins comes around 3-4 weeks. You might see a little red dot early on, all depends. I attached an example of veins from an egg that was laid 8/11/16. The veins have just stared to appear. I candled this egg a week ago and there was nothing.

 

[Pattiip]

Thank you so so much Shellfreak. The photo was amazing and incredibly reassuring.
All the eggs started to chalk over within a couple of days, so I've been praying thats a good sign.
I thought the ring of life and veins showed at about 12-16 days, so was becoming worried.
I'm so happy to have found you guys

 

[Pattiip]

Oh, I'll post better photos in a week or so.

 

[mike taylor]

I'll say fertile! Congratulations!

 

[tortoise5643]

I think veins means fertile!

 

[Pattiip]

Yes veins mean fertile, but day 16 and no veins yet. I'm praying so hard though.
Shellfreak, what temperature do you incubate your Hermann eggs at?

 

[Pattiip]

More photos guys.
The eggs are week 4. They're still chalking over, some the entire top surface. BUT STILL no sign of veins or an embryo.
Temp a steady 31-32, humidity 75%.
What do you think?
Keep going? Give up?
Why are they still chalking? Is it the process of the eggs going bad?

 

[Tom]

Just let them incubate. Stop messing with them and trying to candle them.

Time will tell...

 

[mike taylor]

Keep them until they rot . Don't mess with them . The more you open and close the cooker the longer it will take .

 

[Raymo2477]

Cook them until they hatch or explode!

Last year I assumed an egg was a dud and left it sit out for a month. I forgot about it then when I found it again I almost threw it out...on a whim I candled it and it had a vein...a month later I had a baby tortoise.

Moral of the story never give up on an egg until it goes bad!

 

[Raymo2477]

Good egg at about 6 weeks.

 

[Raymo2477]

Another pic, this one about the 4 week mark. There will be a darkish spot and possibly a vein.

 

[Raymo2477]

And here's week 9.

 

[Pattiip]

Thanks everyone, especially Raymo. Your photos were very helpful, and I realise my eggs don't look promising.
I've only candled 3 times, over a four week period, guys...forgive me please?
I'm fascinated by this incredible process.
Can anyone tell me if chalking continues in an infertile egg?