I use the rubber shelf/drawer liner that you find in the dollar store. I don't like seeing eggs laying on that metal screen or the thought of chicks walking on it. Plus it's easier clean up. After hatch pull it out and throw it away.I have a second batch in the incubator now, starting with 12 eggs. I learned a lot with the first batch, so I'm hoping this one will have a higher hatch rate. I will not be putting them in the carton at all, and I think I will put a towel in the bottom of the incubator on day 18 so that there is not a lot of sliding around when they get to wallking. Also, I will be candling a lot less. (I probably won't have the time to candle so much this time anyway.)