Of the substrates you've listed, I've only used Sanichips. Aspen chips are my preferred substrate for rosys right now, no matter which company makes them, but the others should be fine as long as they keep the humidity down.
They don't need humid hides. I've never provided any and never had any stuck shed problems. In the rare event that it gets too dry, they know where the water bowl is and have no trouble bathing in it.
I also keep the water bowls in year round, but I live in a desert so it doesn't increase humidity beyond what they can handle. Humidity is the important thing. Water bowls are only an issue if leaving them in makes the humidity too high.
All of my rosys have been great about switching from live to f/t, or back and forth between the two. My male was raised on live for 4 years before I got him and he and took f/t the first time I offered. My girl was the opposite, raised on f/t for 10+ years and took live the first time I offered. Both will take either willingly. Rosys are one of the least picky eaters I own, right up there with corn snakes and female western hogs. Even the babies aren't picky. My girl gave birth last month and all four of hers switched over without a fuss. Their first meal was live and every meal after has been f/t. This was my first litter though, so maybe mine are just exceptionally good eaters.
Ryan Shatto and John Columbus both have some amazing animals. You can find them on Fauna Classifieds too. I haven't done business with either of them, but I've been admiring their babies for over a year now. I also have a few hatchlings available, but they are Mexican, not Californian. I'm a new breeder and don't have much of a reputation yet.
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