To incubate or not incubate

[ncbrew]

I am thinking of making an incubater to raise chicks I intend to buy.

My grandson says just let the hens lay eggs and let them hatch and raise the chicks.

Will his method work?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A hen is easier but you can't make a hen go broody. The hormones have to kick in to cause them to want to raise a family.
Some breeds go broody more often than others. Cochins, Orps, Silkies, Javas, Brahmas, Penedesencas to name a few.
A hen doesn't need electricity, thermometers and hygrometers.

 

[Silkiesandco]

If the hens aren't broody, they won't sit on the eggs. If you aren't sure that your hen(s) are broody, I would make/buy an incubator since it is more reliable. If you do have a broody hen that has been exposed to a roo, then it is much easier.