Mother hen vs Incubator - Hatching rates ????

[TenOC]

First, I NEVER candle eggs -- I have studied how and I still I do not know how.

When I let a brooding hen hatch eggs I get a hatch rate of about 50%

When I incubate eggs I get a hatch rate of about 85%

Is this normal??? -- How does this compare with your hatch rates

 

[mstricer]

The opposite,
50% incubator, unless my eggs and that is closer to 98%
My hens do better with shipped eggs, with an 90% hatch rate