Derek Roddy wrote that to hatch a BHP in the US, you have to cut them. To me the statement itself infers that their lines are somehow unable to hatch themselves, a step in the fundamental design of an egg, that quite possibly by the pipping of the eggs, from what is a small gene pool to start with, that they have perpetuated animals of weak genetic integrity, by circumventing one of the first physical tests of natural selection.
Absolutely not true at all.
The eggs don't hatch very well because.... we as keepers, are not providing 100% accurate environment for them to to do so. We are still learning.
The BHPs that hatch here in the states... are a VERY strong line of animals and do nothing but thrive.... Given the proper care.
Plus, there are other issues... such as Farmed rats... that are pumped full of growth hormones, steriods, etc...This effect BHPs badly....as they don't process the extra fat content as well as.....lets say a carpet python.
Since I've started feeding a varied diet....I don't have the issues associated with hatching them anymore.
They also feed right off the bat with no issues.
A "weak" hatchling was only made "weak'..... by fault of the keeper.
A truly "weak" hatchling, will not make it to term at all. The egg will go bad, mold and die.
I've never hatched a "weak" animal....they thrive and do very well, breed great and don't see any evidence of disorders, spinal kinking, etc.....even 4 generations in. Those things mentioned... would be because of weak genetic diversity.
Watered down genetics...doesn't tell a hatchling not to hatch. They been doing it for MILLIONS of years...they got it down. But, it would tell an animal to be kinked, etc. I've seen kinked animals hatch just fine.....egg tooth and all.
If they don't come out on their own.....it's keeper error....plain and simple.
Cheers,
D.