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Sand, Sand and more Sand...

post #1 of 15
7/24/12 at 4:39pm
Thread Starter 

We are in the home stretch on coop construction and are looking at putting sand in the run. The problem is that our local soils/gravel place has quite a few and I don't know which to get. 

 

Here are my options:

 

SDGE Sand

Screened Fill Sand

Washed Concrete Sand

Horticultural Sand

Washed Plaster Sand

Gold Sorrento Sand SE 30

Screened Manufactured Sand

Silica Playground Sand #30

Red Cinder Sand 0-1/8"

Concrete Mix

 

Home Depot also has the big bags of plaster sand. If I have been reading the sand in the coop threads correctly, the plaster sand it too fine. I googled some of the above sand types and am still confused. 

 

Can anyone help? 

 

Thanks!

Mum to 4 year old tasmanian devil son, 220 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Mastiff mutt, 2 crazy cats and 8 assorted chickens. Wife to the most patient man in the world.

"We're all mad here"

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Mum to 4 year old tasmanian devil son, 220 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Mastiff mutt, 2 crazy cats and 8 assorted chickens. Wife to the most patient man in the world.

"We're all mad here"

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post #2 of 15
7/24/12 at 4:58pm

I want to know the answer too. My next coop will probably have sand for the floor.

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Coming soon: Wheaten/blue wheaten Ameraucanas and hopefully white Leghorns

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LF brahmas in Buff and Light

Coming soon: Wheaten/blue wheaten Ameraucanas and hopefully white Leghorns

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post #3 of 15
7/24/12 at 5:47pm
Play sand is best as it won't compact into cement like flooring. Use a thatch rake to keep it turned and loose.

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Send us an EMAIL Like Us on Facebook Visit us on the web CELTICOAKS.COM
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post #4 of 15
7/25/12 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CelticOaksFarm View Post

Play sand is best as it won't compact into cement like flooring. Use a thatch rake to keep it turned and loose.

 

I was worried about the silica sand though as I was told silica is a lung irritant. Any ideas?

Mum to 4 year old tasmanian devil son, 220 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Mastiff mutt, 2 crazy cats and 8 assorted chickens. Wife to the most patient man in the world.

"We're all mad here"

Reply

Mum to 4 year old tasmanian devil son, 220 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Mastiff mutt, 2 crazy cats and 8 assorted chickens. Wife to the most patient man in the world.

"We're all mad here"

Reply
post #5 of 15
7/25/12 at 12:48pm

If you are going with sand, get the cheapest you can find. Look at what it is being used for, no need to over think it.

Jack


 

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post #6 of 15
7/25/12 at 1:21pm

In Socal I would look at decomposed granite.
 

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4 Rouens, 3 Khaki Campbells, 2 Indian Runners, 2 Embdens, 6 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 2 horses, 4 cats, 2 dogs

 

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post #7 of 15
7/25/12 at 7:37pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wildpeas View Post

In Socal I would look at decomposed granite.
 

 

Is this a sand type product or is it more like gravel?

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by JackE View Post

If you are going with sand, get the cheapest you can find. Look at what it is being used for, no need to over think it.

Jack

 

While cost is a factor here, I don't want my kid or myself breathing silica if that's an issue. http://safemama.com/2009/05/18/faq-whats-the-deal-with-play-sand/ There quite a bit of hoopla about it right now and while I realize some of it is the usual fearmongering, I'd rather be on the safe side with my kid. Also, play sand costs 3xs what the other sands cost so I'd rather use something else if I can.

Mum to 4 year old tasmanian devil son, 220 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Mastiff mutt, 2 crazy cats and 8 assorted chickens. Wife to the most patient man in the world.

"We're all mad here"

Reply

Mum to 4 year old tasmanian devil son, 220 lb Anatolian Shepherd/Mastiff mutt, 2 crazy cats and 8 assorted chickens. Wife to the most patient man in the world.

"We're all mad here"

Reply
post #8 of 15
7/25/12 at 7:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissusC View Post

 

Is this a sand type product or is it more like gravel?

 

 

While cost is a factor here, I don't want my kid or myself breathing silica if that's an issue. http://safemama.com/2009/05/18/faq-whats-the-deal-with-play-sand/ There quite a bit of hoopla about it right now and while I realize some of it is the usual fearmongering, I'd rather be on the safe side with my kid. Also, play sand costs 3xs what the other sands cost so I'd rather use something else if I can.

Playsand costs more because of the way it is packaged (For a kid's sandbox) Don't waste money on playsand for a coop.  Get the cheapest construction sand you can get.  From what I understand ALL sand has silica in it, so with sand you can't really get away from it. It's like asbestos, you don't go kicking and stirring it up, you don't have anything to worry about.

Jack


 

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post #9 of 15
7/25/12 at 9:19pm

What the...so now sand is carcenogenic and dangerous? th.gif When did this ever become a problem? Silica is sand. It's quartz. I think the sensationalists have run out of legitimate things to howl about. I agree with JackE, any old inexpensive construction sand will work just fine with chickens.

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post #10 of 15
7/26/12 at 12:55am
Quote:

 I don't want my kid or myself breathing silica if that's an issue

Silica is the second most common element in the Earth's crust

 

Call a cement or brick company, and have them bring you a load of the cheapest sand they have, and dont overanalyze everything, because its ALL the same

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