I dont use a chicken at all, never have. When I was starting out years ago, the question came up. The "elders" at the time warned against broody hens for the same reasons stated above. I did'nt figure I needed to repeat what they had tried before me so I built a incubator. This subject seems to come up every few months or so, always with the same results.... If you want just a few birds and can wait on a chicken to go broody. A hen may be just right for you. If you plan to hatch a lot of birds, several times a year. you need a bator... Everyone has there own needs and methods of fulfilling them. Me, I use a bator. Good luck how ever you decide to hatch. Bill