The only time we use hides is during c.h season when we have between 1200-3000 babies to set up and get started all at once.
We use 16oz solo cups cut in half down the side for hides, as it is easier to be safe then sorry when dealing with larger numbers.
Other than that all our animals are housed in racks that stay dark in the back so we dont use hides.
Even with imports, we offer hides but a lot of them dont use them after a few weeks. We got a bunch of weird/special w.c's in 2 days ago didn't offer hides and most fed the day after we got them, it all depends on the snake.

The thinking matter of it is, you want the snake to feed and feel secure with out having to have a hide spot, that way if it goes off food you can offer a hide and that might get it feeding again, kind of gives you a back up trick for them.
That is just what we do but the best thing to do is let your snake show you what it wants.

J&J REPTILES