What is the BIG CLEANING? It is when we put all the rabbits into carriers with their name tags attached. All the cages are carried outside, the fur burned off, wirebrush the cage floors and then the Grand Finale, a powerwash! Water and food dishes have been removed and they are washed with hot water and bleach. The protective plastic is removed from the cage tables, the tables are flipped onto their sides and a static brush and broom remove cobwebs, hay and fur. The tables are flipped back over and new plastic is measured and tacked into place. The plexiglass row dividers are taken down, hosed wet, scrub brushed with soap to remove fur and graffiti-pee, rinsed again and set out to dry. The soft plastic cage dividers get the same labor intensive treatment. Floor mats are hosed and dried. When everything is dry, back in it goes. Floor mats, cages, litterpans filled with fresh shavings, food and water dishes, name tags and lastly the rabbits.
The only thing better than knowing it is all done is walking out, shutting the door, taking a deep breath and then walking back in to admire all your hard work. Pretending it is all new to you and the first time you've seen your rabbitry. "Oh my, what a nice set up you have here." your imaginary visitor says. "Oh yes, thank you, we try." you answer yourself. Come on, I know you do this too!
While the weather hasn't cooperated, we've gotten a jump start where we can. The whole floor has been hosed and scraped. The floor mats taken out and washed. The cage dividers taken out and scrubbed clean. I may remove the food and water bowls and bleach wash them to try to get another part done. A rabbitry owner's work is never done. But looking at those satisfied furry faces sitting in their freshly cleaned homes is all worth it!