Anyone use SAND in the run/coop

I just emptied 2-50# bags of play sand onto the floor of a 10x10ft coop. Mostly, to level out the holes they've already made. They didn't like it at first, they wouldn't even walk in it. They kept themselves off of it for most of the day. I don't think anyone has 'bathed' in it either? I have a lot of molting crabby ladies right now, eventuality they'll get used to it? I plan to add more when I can. It was already "nicer" than packed dirt.

BarneyChick97 said:

I just emptied 2-50# bags of play sand onto the floor of a 10x10ft coop. Mostly, to level out the holes they've already made. They didn't like it at first, they wouldn't even walk in it. They kept themselves off of it for most of the day. I don't think anyone has 'bathed' in it either? I have a lot of molting crabby ladies right now, eventuality they'll get used to it? I plan to add more when I can. It was already "nicer" than packed dirt.

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I'm going to be late to the party on this thread, but I am very curious about any updates on using sand in the run, mainly (but also the coop).
Especially from PNW members over the winter, with our rain.

Thank you in advance!!!!

Addendum: I see another more recent thread covering some of my questions, thanks.

GeorgieGurl said:

I am considering using sand in my coop as well as in the run.  So far I've heard nothing but good reports from people saying they love it!  The only 'bad' thing I read was where one person reported that it was too cold for them to stand in, in the winter.  That her chickens preferred to leave the coop and stand outside rather than inside on the sand. 
Can any of you who live in cold areas comment on whether you've had issues with that?  Thanks so much!

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I live in Alberta so it's pretty cold during the winter and I have sand in my run and shavings in my coop. When it's below -25 C the girls usually stay inside, but, they enjoy digging holes in the frozen sand in the run and they don't seem to mind it much, they just aren't wild about snow. I have been considering putting sand in my coop as well as it's nice for cleaning and not flammable for heating purposes. Our coop is insulated including the floor, I doubt they will have any issues standing on it if they like digging around in it outside when it's quite cold out.

Brilliant!

I'm getting my first silkie chicks in a few weeks and will be using sand in their coop. I have a question about DE. On another site I saw an article from a vet saying how dangerous it is for the chickens as far as respiratory problems. What is the consensus on the safety of using food grade DE and how much do you use? Thank you!!

I have used sand in my coop now for over a year. I find it makes cleaning up very easy. I have 3 hens and a rooster. They sleep at night in the small enclosed room in the coop. When they poop at night the poop falls on to the sand . The sand coats it like shake and bake. I have heard this is better for the chicken because the poop contains ammonia that can cause problems if they breathe it all night . I go down and clean it out with a kitty little scooper. It is the only way to go as far as I'm concerned .

Lindajp said:

I'm getting my first silkie chicks in a few weeks and will be using sand in their coop. I have a question about DE. On another site I saw an article from a vet saying how dangerous it is for the chickens as far as respiratory problems. What is the consensus on the safety of using food grade DE and how much do you use? Thank you!!

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That's a good question. I mix some DE in with their sand in the run and I put some in their coop where we are still currently using wood shavings. It is a very fine product which is obviously why it is super dusty. I don't use very much of it (not sure exactly how much I just toss some around and inside the coop and I sprinkle a thin layer down before I put in all the wood shavings). It doesn't seem to bother them. In the driest parts of the summer I will sprinkle a bit of water in their run to keep the dust down. Mind you, I would do that regardless of whether there was DE in there or not. We don't have a lot of wind generally so, it's not usually blowing around much either, I don't know if that's a concern for where you are. Some people will likely tell you that it's a waste of time/doesn't do anything, yada yada, but, for what it's worth I've been using it as a preventative (as intended) and have never had any issues with parasites or respiratory problems.

Good Luck with your new chicks!

chicken Queen said:

I have used sand in my coop now for over a year. I find it makes cleaning up very easy. I have 3 hens and a rooster. They sleep at night in the small enclosed room in the coop. When they poop at night the poop falls on to the sand . The sand coats it like shake and bake. I have heard this is better for the chicken because the poop contains ammonia that can cause problems if they breathe it all night . I go down and clean it out with a kitty little scooper. It is the only way to go as far as I'm concerned .

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Kitty litter scooper. Genious!

What kind of sand are you using exactly? I know not the play sand, but there seems to be a lot of different names. At Home Depot they had a "natural play sand" which was not the reg play sand, then I talked to a landscape company who said I should get their so named masonry sand or concrete sand. Can you please help me?

My True Value sells sand for mixing with concrete, however it is also what they call "cleaned sand" which can be used for small pets. It comes in 50 pound sacks. Look on the outside of the bag to see if it is labeled for small pets.

Otherwise you can use play box sand, pool sand even natural sand. I dig mine out of a nearby arroyo and wash. You can also use river sand if you have access to a river.