They are in an outdoor pen and she has layed them also covering them with about half in of soil. Last time the eggs were eaten by possums but the possums can no longer get in the pen.
Very carefully remove the eggs. Pick them up the exact same way it was laid. Rotating the eggs can kill the developing turtle. Place the eggs into small containers halfway full with damp vermiculite. The containers with the eggs should then be placed in an incubator. The best way to provide a safe incubator container is to take a plastic aquarium and place two bricks on their side at the bottom. Place the plastic container that contains the eggs on top of the two bricks and heat the water 82oF (28oC) with an aquarium heater. Cover the aquarium with pane of glass to ensure the heat and condensation stays with the incubator. It is essential to make sure the glass is slanted so that any condensation does not drip onto the turtle eggs as this can kill the embryos. The ideal humidity level for turtle eggs is between 95-100%. You can measure the level of humidity with a hygrometer hung on the aquarium wall. To tell when the egg is fertilized, hold the egg between your thumb and forefinger in front of a bright light. If the egg is fertilized, you will be able to see dark blood vessels inside even at an early stage. As time goes by, the blood vessels will turn into a dark area as the turtle develops. Unfertilized eggs show a light area around the air pocket inside the egg and a dark area at the drying yolk. An unfertilized egg will also begin to lose weight over time whereas fertilized eggs gain weight. If a turtle embryo dries in the egg, do not assume it is a mistake you made. The likely cause is because of the parent's diet. The amount of time it takes for a turtle to hatch depends on the species. Once it begins to hatch, it can take one to three days for the turtle to fully hatch. You should never disturb the turtle and never try to speed up the hatching process. Leave the hatchlings in the incubator for a few days until the yolk on the naval has fully shrivelled and fallen off. Good luck :)
