Absolutely nothing beats a broody hen. Nothing. That is the way nature intended it.
As for "breeding out the broody gene", that is practically impossible. I have had hens and pullets go broody in the winter too. All of my birds are hatchery stock or hatched from it.
The single biggest Con to an incubator IMO is that YOU have to raise the chicks. Using a broody means you just get to enjoy the entire process of her setting the eggs and raising the chicks.
As for "breeding out the broody gene", that is practically impossible. I have had hens and pullets go broody in the winter too. All of my birds are hatchery stock or hatched from it.
The single biggest Con to an incubator IMO is that YOU have to raise the chicks. Using a broody means you just get to enjoy the entire process of her setting the eggs and raising the chicks.