Just prior to the snow in December we agreed and decided that as there had been no eggs laid for a long time to retire our chickens and start afresh in the New Year with a much larger run.
I still feel bad about what I had to do, but in hindsight we did the right thing given the difficulties we faced in December with the snow, work, and family illness.
The chickens were allowed to free-range for one final time and then quietly dispatched out of sight.
I told the children; my four year old understood, my two year old was aware, our 6 month-old, well it was a bit beyond him.
We are already missing the chickens, the eggs, the going outside into the garden, and seeing the garden be ‘alive’.
The plan is this – we’re getting quote for a large, covered, walk-in-run which’ll be 5m x 2x, we’ll get 11 pullets, and start again in the spring.
The walk-in-run will cost £800 delivered and setup, the pullets about £100.
In 2011 I also will be creating two new raised beds and a large herb garden. Home-brewed Beer is also on the agenda, plus I’m doing a lot of volunteer work at the moment, so 2011 will be very busy.