Putting a sticky mat down in bottom of incubator?

[hd_darcy]

Is this a common procedure? I just set some eggs last night (first time), and I did not put a sticky mat down. Now, I'm wondering if I should have??? Can you please tell me what the pros are, and the cons if there are any?! Is it more to keep the eggs in place, or is it more to help the baby chicks out when they are born? Do you wash and re-use, or just toss?

Oh, and FWIW I have a Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco. Thanks in advance!

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I use the Rubbermaid shelf liner in my brooders; I just scrape off the dried pooh and throw it in the washer~~then line dry.

As for the bator....I tried the shelf liner in it, and it affected the humidity too much, so I did away with it. Don't know about how the Brinsea may be affected.

 

[ranchhand]

The shelf liner helps the freshly hatched chicks get their footing and helps keep the incubator a bit cleaner. I put it in at Day 18, when I put the incubating eggs into lockdown. After the hatch, when the chicks are moved to the brooder, I wash it in hot, soapy water and hang to dry.

I use the generic brand from the dollar store, much cheaper than Rubbermaid brand.