So we went outside and started dismantling the run at 8am. It might sound straightforward but it's been deveoped and added to over the course of the last year so it was bit of a mish mash and very tricky to take down. We were lucky as the sun was trying to break through the mist this morning and the rain held off for a few hours so we didn't get TOO soaked!
So the chickens are now in their painstakingly-cleaned pink Cube...
but minus the wheels, although propped up on planks of wood to stop the base getting muddy. Instead of being inside the walk-in run, the Cube is attached to a large rabbit run! I soon realised that the side door was too small to get their feeders and drinkers in so impossible to top them up; plus it was nigh on impossible to put their feeders in through the door in the roof when it was raining... so I've attached the Eglu run to the small door in the side of the rabbit run, like an annexe. It works a treat as now I can shut them in the main rabbit run whilst I fill their Grub'n'Glugs through the Eglu run door without them making a dash for the lawn. Also, I discovered this afternoon that they are fascinated by my fingers (pecking them as I was doing all the clips up to secure the Eglu run to the rabbit run!) so I've saved myself from pain as well. I've covered both runs with PVC corrugated sheeting to protect them from the rain and it's held down with bungees. Hopefully they get on OK as they'll be living in the same arrangement at the new house. A bit nervous about foxes so the Cube door is shut tonight and we have rocks behind the poo trays to stop anyone scratching their way in.
We're so glad we've finished this today as it took us about 10 man hours so Mr Nora would never have been able to do it on his own on Thursday - plus it could be howling down. So now Mr Nora can go to work on Thursday and save some of his holiday for next year.
