I hatched some chicks out a few times because I wanted to imprint them. They were beloved pets (how kooky is that?) . We had their dad, Brooster the Rooster for over 5 years. He was quite famous in our little community - he was a "student" at the elementary school I worked at for a week each year (while they were studying farm animals). The chicks I hatched out were Bantam Cochins, the little chickens that have feathers on their feet. They are incredibly friendly, as far as chickens go.
We rigged up an incubator the old fashioned way with a box, some hay, a light bulb and a dish of water. I marked and turned the eggs and was there when they hatched. I was their mom! It was tons of fun!!!!! Below are some pics of the eggs hatching.