As a rule a small sprinkling of wood shavings in the nest boxes every 3-4 days is fine. In really wet weather it is best done every 2 days and also where they lay eggs on the floor (i.e. in the corner by the nest boxes). If it is dry for two week then nothing needs to be done apart from the above.

In bad weather the chickens do not bother taking off their feet before they come into the house to lay eggs or go to sleep. They have been told about this but will not listen. The result is that when we have rainy weather we have a muddy house. This would need cleaning out after 7 days (10 days max). The house is spotless when it is cleaned but the chickens soon make it more like home!

All that you have to do is take out the perching bars and give everything a good sweep out. There is only a need to give it a sweep, including any mud on the floor, no cleaning as such is necessary. If you did nothing the only result would be some eggs that would need a bit of washing. If you do not want to bother cleaning out then don't, because -

1. The chickens don't give a toss
2. The chickens never notice
3. When you clean them out they go straight in (and I mean straight in) afterwards and make it more 'homely'.

If you decide to clean them out the old shavings go in a big bag for recycling (or your compost heap) and a covering of new shavings goes on the floor. Don't it make too comfy as the lazy things would take advantage of it! Just one final tip......... If you decide to clean the house and leave the pop hole open you will find the chickens will come and help you inside. I tend to do it when I have thrown some corn down!

In summary

Every 3-4 days sprinkle some shavings in the nest boxes

If it rains then change the shavings in the house after 7-10 days.

Don't make it too cosy for them!