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A really good example is a "broody hen". Broody is a term to describe a hen whose natural behavior is to lay eggs and sit on them with the goal of hatching baby chicks - simple and natural enough right? This natural instinct means this hen is obsessed. She won't budge from the eggs but for very short periods in the day to quickly eat and drink then back to her clutch. Well, in modern production, on any farm that sells eggs, a broody hen can really interfere with egg gathering, laying and therefore, selling. Broody hens have been known to peck viciously at weary egg gatherers, steal eggs from other hens, and slow production. Modern hens, even in common old fashion breeds like Rhode Island Reds have had their broody tendencies bred out of them. This means laying an egg is simply a daily task, done quickly so the happy hen can move on to her dust bath, scratching for grubs and running from the roosters. Why would anyone want a broody hen then? Several reasons. First, the genetics that make the hen broody also make her a protective mother with her young chicks. This is great for pastured-raised poultry to protect the chicks from predators. Hatching chicks the natural way (with a hen) is one way to keep replenishing your flock without the expense and labor of managing an incubator, or having to purchase them retail. Another reason is just because many of these breeds have other wonderful qualities that should be preserved and passed on.