I plan on breeding next november and will use an incubator. Ill have chances at producing some double gene animals so i wouldnt want to chance losing them. (im not saying this bc of money either, i wouldnt wanna lose any of them but especially double gene ones). Plus thats alot of stress on the mother to take care of the clutch. (Maternal incubation an take up to 70 days). Id rather have her lay the eggs then get her eating again asap!
It goes without saying I prefer maternal over artificial. Just my preference. I've not lost an egg yet (knock on wood) and my females usually do eat while brooding so that's not been a concern.
I'll be maternally incubating my clutches again this year if my females ever decide to lay.
Most people like to use incubators as there is a higher hatch rate and much less work than with maternal incubation.
I can only speak for my own clutches but I've been doing it this way since '08 and no egg losses yet. It's easier for me to let my females do all the work because there is no setting up incubators and egg tubs. The only change is that I'm more attentive to my gravid and/or brooding females to make sure they have everything they need. Not putting down artificial means at all but both methods work and it's all a matter of personal preference.
I can only speak for my own clutches but I've been doing it this way since '08 and no egg losses yet. It's easier for me to let my females do all the work because there is no setting up incubators and egg tubs. The only change is that I'm more attentive to my gravid and/or brooding females to make sure they have everything they need. Not putting down artificial means at all but both methods work and it's all a matter of personal preference.
I've actually considered trying maternal incubation for a clutch out of sheer curiosity, but I think my girls are better off without me checking on them as frequently as I do my egg boxes (out of curiosity and excitement, not necessity, of course!).