Is it possible to hatch poultyr eggs on a heat mat?

[Abba]

Hi,
I would like to know how it would possible to poultry eggs on or near a heat mat?
I can't afford an incubator.
How can I use it and is there any way I can control the temperature?
I would like to hatch quail and duck eggs.
Would a heated plant propergator work?
Thank you.
Abbanoub

 

[Arielle]

Interesting question.

The heating pad is not suitable for moist/wet applications; the plant propigator mat is.

Use the plant propagator mat under eggs, with the eggs elevated on a screen mesh. Keeping eggs off the direct heat.

You could measure the heat/temperature at the mesh level. I'm not good at electronics so I don't know how to regulate the temp with a separate device. (Remember to have plenty of vent hole to supply oxygen and vent out carbon dioxide.) Have other holes to adjust the temperature (and the humidity). My mats are either on or off; that is, plugged in or not. You will need to work with the heat generated when the mat is plugged in at all times.

YOu will need the room temp to be very stable; use heat sinks in the 'bator to decrease any wild swings in temp. Either jars of water or rocks, though water does a better job.

Sometimes a light bulb, system is a good option; and very cheap to install for an incubator AND plenty of info on BYC to wire it correctly with a regulator. THe small mats I bought were expensive, IMO; if you already have them, then perhaps that is the way to go.

GL

 

[roselyn]

hi i have just hatch for the 1st time (today) woop and i use a heat mat (reptile heatmat) in a polybox. as long as your temps and humidity are right you will be fine. i should also note its the 1st time for chicken eggs ive hatch countless reptiles the same way (but not as hot).

i didnt put the eggs right on heat mat i had metal mesh about two inches off it as i had two tubs under it to fill with water.

 

[samlewis]

hiya guys ... using the heat mat and mesh and water did you have to turn the eggs at all or did you leave them Xxx

 

[foothillsfiber]

I saw a video on youtube of a woman that hatched eggs inside an styrofoam cooler with a heating pad with a towel on top of it and the eggs wrapped in the towel. She had a thermometer in there with the eggs

 

[samatoms]

I am trying right now. I put the eggs in a cardboard egg container in a box with shredded newspaper. I put a digital thermometer in there. Underneath is a seedling mat that is waterproof. The temperature holds at about 95 degrees F. I will post again in 21 days!

 

[rachmickmurphy]

subscribing good luck

 

[Arielle]

I am trying right now. I put the eggs in a cardboard egg container in a box with shredded newspaper. I put a digital thermometer in there. Underneath is a seedling mat that is waterproof. The temperature holds at about 95 degrees F. I will post again in 21 days!

can you get the temp up a little more???

99.5 degrees is 21 d hatch. prolonged incubation often leads to developmental issues--

Very exciting project!!

 

[rachmickmurphy]

Sorry but could one of post a pic I don't understand how you know what temp your eggs are having only used heat generating from above and using temp gauge set at the level at the top of the egg I am not sure how you are compensating hot air rising principle I think I need a visual.

 

[Arielle]

WHere are you measuring the temps??

If the mat is meant to be the hottest like a hen-- she is102

THen temp abouve that will decrease-- at half height of the eggs I use 99.5-100

If measureing on top of the eggs, then 98 is ok if (102+98) / 2 =100

Hope this is not confusing . . . .