care of 4 boxturtle eggs

Question
QUESTION: Just went out to feed the chickens and found a box turtle and four eggs in the chicken pen.

We have snakes here and larger animals that might step on them.

I would welcome any advice on how to insure that these guys have a chance to hatch. I can build whatever is necessary to assist them.

If you have a link to a source of good information that would be good too.

I hate to disturb them, but like I said we have snakes.

can I move them, can I keep them till they hatch. are they fertile how can I tell. how long till they hatch. should i keep the adult with them. anything else would help


ANSWER:   You are a very kind person to care for the plight of the box turtle. It's wonderful to hear about efforts toward conservation, and I thank you for caring about the wee shelled beasties. The eggs are from an unknown species of wild box turtle? If that's the case, we'll need to build protection for them around where they are.
  It is a very bad idea to move the eggs, if you want to ensure that they hatch. If there was anything covering them, like hay or soil, cover them with it again. If they were uncovered when you found them, use a bit of what they were laid on to just cover them. I would use a wooden frame, tall enough to be 2 inches above the eggs, and big enough to be around all 4. Staple or fasten screen to the top of the frame, with the frame making a screen tent over the eggs. You could either drive stakes into the ground on the 4 sides to keep the frame from sliding, or use bricks/cinder blocks 1 per side. That should allow ventilation, but also keep them from being stepped on or eaten.
  If it is in an area which is exposed to the elements like heavy rain or direct sunlight, you will need to keep the nest either moist or well drained. In a dry climate, they need to be misted daily, and in a wet climate, small drainage holes should be made in the bottom of the frame for water to escape.
 If moving them is absolutely crucial, (which it might be in a high traffic area) it will involve setting up an incubator for them, which can be done with a few supplies instead of buying one. We'll deal with that if we need to.
 Most box turtle eggs will hatch between 50-100 days. I could narrow it down if I knew which species you have. The adult turtle can certainly be sent merrily on her way. Box turtles generally lay eggs and abandon them. They don't really do any sort of parenting of their offspring.
If it is absolutely unavoidable to move them, let me know and we'll go through the steps of moving them, and creating a homemade incubator. (I just didn't want to list all of the steps for that if it isn't needed.)
  This is my first ever answer here, so please let me know if I missed anything, or if I wrote too much!
Thanks! Nicole

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok, thanks for the answer, new development.
Sadly not good.
When I went back out from posting on the computer in about 20 minutes, two eggs were gone and one "shell" was left.

I brought remaining eggs inside in lg plastic tub and adult with it in hope that more might be laid.

I have picture I can send to you if you tell me how, it shows "momma" and the four eggs.

That would show color and markings on adult.

I will keep the eggs and try to incubate them and prefer to make the necessary equip to get it done.

questions:
how many eggs usually in a clutch?
will adult destroy the eggs?
if laid, can we assume that the eggs are fertile?
I would prefer to keep everything inside, problem with that?
Will the adult lay additional eggs anytime soon?
Thanks again and if there is a way to do it, I can send the picture.  

Answer
Oh no! How sad. Momma will probably be resistant to lay eggs indoors. Wild caught boxies are very hard to acclimate to domesticated life. Turtles are funny about where they lay their eggs, and rather sensitive about it. Turtles have actually died from complications of egg retention instead of laying in a spot that they don't find suitable. Did you mark where the top of the eggs were at on the ground? If they are turned over or placed in a different position when incubating they usually won't hatch.Oddly enough, after all that carefulness, they will damage eggs if they are left in an inclosure with them. Generally people with captive turtles get the eggs out quickly for that and a few other reasons.  
 The # of eggs varies by species as well as individual turtle. You can send the picture to scripta_elegans@yahoo.com, and then I might be able to give a better answer to some of your other questions. I think there's probably a way to post pictures here to, but this might be easier.