When you had 7 hens, did you use a regular shovel and did you have to replace the pellets more often? I have 9 birds now and seriously considering using these. Been using litter method with straw for years but had less birds until recently.
Every 3 months I remove all straw, brush/sweep out all stuck on stuff and blow out last dust/dirt with a leaf blower. Sometimes I get inferior (dried out) straw and have to do it sooner. I usually have 3-6 chickens at a time.