Coop sand - smelly?

[pitsandchicks]

I have a raised 12ft x 12ft (might be bigger - definitely not smaller) coop. The floor is stick-on linoleum tile. This week, I switched from deep bedding to sand, after hearing a lot of success and having to remove everything for a mite clean out.

However, I’m already not liking the sand, and I think it may be because I’ve done something wrong. My boyfriend bought “multi-purpose” sand in bags. We spread about 4” of sand on the floor of the coop. I cleaned it the first day, no problem. The second day, I noticed a smell that is specific to one of those local river beaches — nasty, wet sand. Smells nothing like poop, and their poop is cleaned out.

I did notice the sand got a bit wet from some summer rain that came in through the ventilation at the top of the coop (it’s hardware cloth windows).

Any advice about the smell, preventing the smell, etc? Can I just stir up the sand? is it because there’s no drainage for the sand (because there isn’t — it’s a pretty airtight floor). Do I have to get rid of this sand?

This is my second round of chickens and I swear it was so much easier and cheaper last time, and they just lived in the back of a shed and free ranged

 

[WthrLady]

I have a raised 12ft x 12ft (might be bigger - definitely not smaller) coop. The floor is stick-on linoleum tile. This week, I switched from deep bedding to sand, after hearing a lot of success and having to remove everything for a mite clean out.

However, I’m already not liking the sand, and I think it may be because I’ve done something wrong. My boyfriend bought “multi-purpose” sand in bags. We spread about 4” of sand on the floor of the coop. I cleaned it the first day, no problem. The second day, I noticed a smell that is specific to one of those local river beaches — nasty, wet sand. Smells nothing like poop, and their poop is cleaned out.

I did notice the sand got a bit wet from some summer rain that came in through the ventilation at the top of the coop (it’s hardware cloth windows).

Any advice about the smell, preventing the smell, etc? Can I just stir up the sand? is it because there’s no drainage for the sand (because there isn’t — it’s a pretty airtight floor). Do I have to get rid of this sand?

This is my second round of chickens and I swear it was so much easier and cheaper last time, and they just lived in the back of a shed and free ranged

Sand stays wet.
I use Stall Dry or Sweet PDZ. I put in 6 40 pound bags when the coop is totally empty. (Mine is the same size) then scoop the manure like kitty litter once a week. I'll add a bag here or there over the years to top it off. After several years, I'll strip it all out and put all new bags in. The ammonia control is incredible. It's easy to clean. Dries quickly and also dries out the manure. You can also toss in some DE and the hens will dust bathe in it and nothing wants to lay eggs in it and if they do the DE grinds them to bits.
Under the stall dry, my whole coop is coated with Blackjack roofing paint. I just stripped out the pdz this past week for the first time in 5 years. Floor still looks like I painted it yesterday.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm not a fun of sand, but IIRC, what's recommended is washed construction sand, coarse-grained and free from fine dust.

It only works if kept perfectly dry. Excellent ventilation helps.

 

[aart]

I have a raised 12ft x 12ft (might be bigger - definitely not smaller) coop.

Dang that's big!
How high is it raised...got pics?

We spread about 4” of sand on the floor of the coop.

That's a lot of sand.
How many bags did it take?

Not a fan of sand either, except on the poop boards.
You can never get all the poops out, and yes it will stink when damp.

 

[aart]

I'd not thought of them taking in micro bits of plastic from pecking.

Only if you buy cheap vinyl that falls apart.
I've had vinyl on my coop floor and poop boards for 9 years....they haven't pecked into pieces.

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't think good washed sand should smell on its own. It's silica granules, right? But maybe there's also nothing in there to mask a strong smell.

So the ammonia is the smell, right? And that should evaporate if not held in or absorbed by the sand? What is it about sand that gets "wet" so easily, that absorbs moisture so easily?

What could you add to the sand to prevent odours? I did note that sand is best for a very dry environment.

Clean sand doesn't smell, but the poop dust in the sand rots and stinks when wet.

That's why, IMO, dry organic material is better than sand, with the carbon rich wood/straw/etc. neutralizing the nitrogen rich manure.

 

[Kelster65]

I use sand and yes it has a smell when wet. I rake in lime and diatomaceous earth and turn the sand. Still love it though. I don't have bugs, smell (unless wet), no rodents and the ducks and chickens like it.

 

[R Wind]

May I please join this thread? 6 Rhodes Island Reds.

I appreciate the explanation of sand, need to decide asap what to put in our newly built walk-in 6.5ft by 8ft coop. We're at the stage of adding a piece of vinyl flooring on the raised pallet floor, then roost and nest boxes, ramp and a chicken yard or run or day tractor.

Sounds like we don't want sand as there's no drainage.

Can someone please recommend an article here on bedding and poop boards?

 

[3KillerBs]

May I please join this thread? 6 Rhodes Island Reds.

I appreciate the explanation of sand, need to decide asap what to put in our newly built walk-in 6.5ft by 8ft coop. We're at the stage of adding a piece of vinyl flooring on the raised pallet floor, then roost and nest boxes, ramp and a chicken yard or run or day tractor.

Sounds like we don't want sand as there's no drainage.

Can someone please recommend an article here on bedding and poop boards?

Welcome to BYC. If you put your general location into your profile people can give better-targeted advice. Climate matters.

I don't use poop boards, but this is my article on Deep Bedding: Using Deep Bedding in a Small Coop

Excellent ventilation makes it all much easier.

Repecka Illustrates Coop Ventilation

 

[aart]

I've had vinyl on my coop floor and poop boards for 9 years

I tested store samples by bending over a corner, many cracked or broke.
This one didn't....0.085" thick...foam backed.
Smooth, no molded patterns which I've learned can expand and contract at pattern edges.