Would a heat mat be good for hatching poultry eggs?

[Abba]

Hi,
I would like to know which would be most successful at hatching poultry eggs a heat mat or a heated propergator?
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 controll the temperature?
I would like to hatch quail and duck eggs.
Would a heated plant propergator work?
Thank you.
Abbanoub

[eco-mick]

Not sure about heat mats as to my mind the heat source will be in a fixed point where the egg touches to mat.. where as a hen or incubator heat the whole egg?

[minesamojito]

I think you can pick up cheap propagators on ebay, or use their design to make your own
i think as mick says the fixed poin of heat wouldn't be great as you'd get a hot side in contact with the mat and a cold side
cheers
marcus

[Shirley]

it's not just the heat it's also the humidity - and especially so for duck eggs. Personally I'd beg, steal or borrow an incubator. They don't need to be expensive.

[JulieSherris]

Yep, it's the all round heat that an egg needs, as well as a regulated humidity.
I have a couple of incubators - my smallest will definitely do for hen eggs and guinea fowl eggs - but turkey or duck eggs? Forget it!
The eggs will develop, but then the humidity isn't stable enough for hatching & so the bird starts to come out of the egg, get dry, get stuck & die.

A heat meat or propagator just won't cut it - you NEED a proper incubator - even if it's just a loan..... have you tried asking your local freecycle?