If you can provide a droppings board under the perches which can be removed easily for cleaning it will help keep the floor of the house cleaner as hens do two thirds of their droppings at night. The house must provide protection from vermin such as foxes, rats and mice. Litter Wood shavings for livestock is the cleanest and best. Straw may be cheaper but check that it is fresh and clean and not mouldy or been contaminated by vermin or cats. Do not use hay due to harmful mould spores which will give the hens breathing problems.
Litter is used on the floor, in the nestboxes and on the droppings board.
Cleaning Weekly cleaning is best, replacing litter in all areas. The best discinfectant which is not toxic to the birds is 'Virkon'. This destroys all the bacteria and viruses harmful to poultry. If housing is bought from a reputable manufacturer and meets all the basic principles then that may be the quickest and easiest method of housing your birds. If you wish to make housing yourself, keep to the basic principles and remember not to make it heavy as you may want to move it either regularly or at some stage if it is not permanent.