Maternal Incubating vs. Incubator

[Alexandra V]

What are the pros and cons of each?

I'm thinking of breeding in a couple years when the pair I have are up to age and size, but I'm wondering if it's better for a novice like me to use an incubator or to just let the mother do her thing.

[DemmBalls]

This thread would be good to read if you are considering maternal incubation.


http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...bating-Again-)

[Alexandra V]

This thread would be good to read if you are considering maternal incubation.


http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...bating-Again-)

Thanks, and I actually just finished reading that thread just before I posted this thread

[snakesRkewl]

Either way works fine if you prepare ahead of time for the process.

I normally want my females back eating and getting healthy for the next years breeding season so I incubate.
But when I know I'm going to give a girl the next breeding season off then I'm planning to do a maternal incubation just for the experience.

[A.VinczeBPs]

A novice can pull off both methods successfully, maybe a better question is which one do you prefer and feel comfortable with?

Personally, I like having control over things, so Incubation is my fit. That way if someone goes wrong, I know it's probably not my fault (they can die for unknown reason, tangled umbilical early on). Where as if I did maternal and something went wrong I'd wonder if it's something I failed to do.

Just me.

[anatess]

I went with maternal incubation my first time. I trust the snake to know what to do more than I trust myself.

Our mama bp continued to eat while incubating, so there was not much health risk throughout the process.

[Quiet Tempest]

I prefer maternal incubation. It's easier to not have to worry about tinkering with another thermostat and making up egg tubs for clutches and I really enjoy watching the mothers with their clutches. It's neat seeing that side of my snakes. Knowing now that mine will still feed while brooding is a plus, too. I do have an artificial incubator to fall back on if need be, but that hasn't come up yet.