Here's what I've tried: shavings, shredded paper, now straw. The straw is awesome with them. They are even nesting in it together. I also use a heating pad under the stock tank we have them in. They all cuddle together on it, and when it gets warmer in the day they have room to move around. The straw is working better than anything I have tried yet. It's actually coastal hay, but that's what the guy at my local feed store said to use since he is out of shavings. I don't think I will go back to shavings anyways. My chickies are on it as well, they love scratching around in it and it doesn't get in the water fount as bad as the shavings did. Just my experience.