Dr. Michaels...I know with your Vet-med background you may have some particularly good insight. I would love to hear anyones opinions of course. Here's my question:

I've got a huge female (over 3600 grams before last breeding) that has been a wonderful breeder for me the past three seasons. In '03 she gave me 10 fertile eggs and 1 slug, in '04 she gave me 9 fertile with no slugs, and again this year (today) she laid 9 good with no slugs (almost 1100 grams worth). Now I know that many folks advocate giving them a year off every now and then, or even every other year. I have always incubated artificially and she has always gotten right back on food within days of laying. She eats like a frieking mule, and I seriously have to cut back in the fall so that she doesnt become obese. Since the number of eggs has been consistant over the years, I feel like shes not getting "used up" or overstressed, but I was just looking for opinions. Would you necessarily give her a year off every so often, or continue to breed her as long as she stays healthy and keeps pumping out large clutches?

Also, on a related note...do you think there is any benifit to letting them maternally incubate a clutch every so often? I always feel a little guilty when I pull eggs from a capable and devoted mother.

Thoughts on these questions.......?

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