So..... having filled out the checklist, netted off the pond and waited for the ground to dry out a bit, we let the hens out this morning.
Having been on mud and shavings for three months, they made a beeline straight for the dry ground at the back of the hayshed and started to dust-bathe. TWO HOURS later, they're still at it! (BTW, I checked for mites etc last week and they were all fine).
This confirms to me that we really have compromised their welfare by keeping them in an inadequate run since November. We started keeping hens because we didn't like the conditions birds were being kept in commercially, so to have to impose even worse conditions on our own birds is upsetting to say the least.
Also spare a thought for the ducks, who are still inside because they're not allowed to talk to the hens any more
.
Our next task is to have a really good think about what we need to do in advance to make things more pleasant the next time this happens.