It has little holes, but it is a little rubbery. Enough so that the solids stay on it but the rest is soaked up by the paper towels. I got it at the dollar store and 1 roll was enough for 3 pieces. I really like how well its working out.
They're my first chicks so I was really paranoid about...
My mom uses softwood pellets for cat litter and raves about it lol
I do layers of shelf liner and paper towels. Shelf liner on the bottom, a decent layer of paper towels, then another sheet of shelf liner.
I clean every other day: just peel the shelf liner off, shake it off in the trash...