hi, Lamb, and welcome to the Forum. Like Valerie, I looked up Finacard (see http://www.finacard-uk.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=22&zenid=71g18obferqqtl6bbafjcd8gu7 ) and it does look a good alternative to the woodshavings many people use in their nestboxes. It would certainly be better than the straw you mention, as not only is straw less comfortable but the hollow stalks can harbour redmite. However, as others have remarked, I wouldn't be at all happy if my hens slept in the nestboxes, as I like the boxes to stay clean so the eggs don't get contaminated by overnight poo.