Newbie with a lockdown question

[Blue Heron Farm]

I am on my second hatch with my LG incubator. The first hatch went great until lockdown. Out of 18 eggs, only 2 hatched and on day 23 and 24. I figured out my issue was with the thermometer. I "think" I have solved that problem and my second hatch is moving along nicely (so far). I go into lockdown on Tuesday and my question is......
Do you just lay the eggs on the grate? I put some cheesecloth down on my first round to make cleanup easier. I have seen pictures of people using egg cartons when they are in lockdown....is that the best way? I am concerned that the first ones that hatch kick the un-pipped eggs around.
What do you do?
Thank you!

 

[ChickenPrnces]

I have never used egg cartons! I also use LG's! A forced air with turner for incubating and a still air for hatching! I have pretty much 100% hatch rates! I usually only lose one egg, if any, due to dead-in-shell! I lay them diretly on the grate every time! I leave the chicks i too! I only take them out once a day, right before I go to bed! (i feel bad leaving them in overnight!)

Between the 2nd and the 3rd of this month I had 14 in lockdown! 13 hatched beautifully!!! The Friday before I had 12 in lockdown and 12 hatched!

 

[Blue Heron Farm]

Thank you so much for your input. Happy Hatching!