Removing chicks from incubator

[ilexxx]

Has anyone figured out an easy way to remove a bunch of hatched chicks from the incubator without them all getting out at once? There needs to be an easy access door built in these incubators. I hatched 20 baby ducks. When I try to reach in and remove them suddenly all are hopping out all over the table. It was a cluster. I leave mine in 24-48 hours or until the last one hatches. It is a nightmare removing them and keeping them from all rushing out at once. If anyone has any suggestions let me know.

 

[kattabelly]

I don't usually have to deal with this because I take them out as soon as they've hatched.

Incubators with a lid that lifts off the top, like the RCom 20 I have, make this less of an issue than e.g. the dome types where the whole thing lifts off a flat base. If you're stuck with the incubator you have and getting a replacement isn't an option, in future could you try setting it up inside a box or something that would contain any that do escape? Or even putting up some kind of barrier (doesn't have to be fancy or complicated to build - I'm thinking a few big boxes around the sides or similar) around the incubator just before you open it to take them out?