Welcome Ellie!!!!Hello from Interlaken NY! I have a small flock (8 mixed girls and 2 Peking ducks). I use savings and straw and the straw does get matted a bit by the end of the week , but only where they sleep. I pick through the coop weekly and it stays wonderfully dry and my girls are happy, fat ( very spoiled on mini muffins and oatmeal) and still laying every other day or so.