Personally I do not palpate. However, I do know tons of people that do palpate and have success with it.

I've noticed something though. Maybe this is just me... but I've hatched eggs 3 years in a row now.. and I have yet to have the first infertile egg laid. Not one! But, I notice all the time with people that do palpate that they tend to have a bit of slug eggs laid. I'm not a Vet and I'm not even claiming to know what I'm talking about. I'm just putting two and two together... or at least in my own head. I'm not saying that I couldn't or won't have any slug eggs laid ever because I don't palpate. I've just noticed with the people that do palpate vs the people that don't palpate.. there is a significant difference in slugs. Or at least with the people I know.

The main reason I don't palpate is because it's very obvious when and if your female is going to ovulate.. if she doesn't give me the signs in my allotted time frame, I stop pairing and wait a few months to let her gather herself and I start over. So far I've had great success just leaving them alone to do their own thing, and checking on them regularly.