I used cross-breed bantams for setters. Mostly a cochin cross, I also use incubators. Now chicks raised out in the dirt with a hen almost never get sick. This has to be a stress-related thing with chicks. But everything does better with a Mommy,
Its people like you that always know the most about animals. I always gravitated to people who have worked with animals for decades. I would think there was some immunity etc with a mother bird as opposed to incubators. Its an insecurity/stress thing, babies need mothers. Its a fact of nature.
Thats right, good old barn yard mix hens are the best. Thats what I use. If I had to choose any one breed though it would be phoenix or Sumatras. They are wonderful mothers.
