Actually, sand acts as a heat sink and can mediate the outside temps. I have sand in my coops and runs, and it was ten degrees warmer in the run than outside this morning. (ten below at day break). When the sun comes out, it shines down through the translucent roof panels and raises the temp inside the run even more.
One thing I've done is to fill feed sacks with straw and the chickens lay about on them, getting up off the ground. The sacks are a big hit year round for chicken lounging.
But don't be concerned about cold chicken feet. Birds have the ability to cool the blood going down to their feet, thereby equalizing the temperature difference between their feet and the ground, minimizing discomfort. Too bad humans don't have that advantage on days like this.
One thing I've done is to fill feed sacks with straw and the chickens lay about on them, getting up off the ground. The sacks are a big hit year round for chicken lounging.
But don't be concerned about cold chicken feet. Birds have the ability to cool the blood going down to their feet, thereby equalizing the temperature difference between their feet and the ground, minimizing discomfort. Too bad humans don't have that advantage on days like this.