A question about sand in the coop...

[Cetawin]

I was wondering about using sand inside the coop as opposed to just Pine Shavings as it would be easy to rake and scoop during the wet winter. So my questions for those using sand inside the coop are:

Is the sand itself warm enough bedding? (My little girls like sleeping on the floor as opposed to the roosts just yet)

What type of sand do you use (kid's play sand, construction sand etc)?

Is it safe for them should they eat some of it?


Because our winters are so wet, I thought sand in there for the winter would be much easier to clean. They will have their straw in the nest boxes, heat lamps and their roosts of course.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gazinga]

im not sure, but i was thinking of using sand in my run and coop as well, so an answer form others would be apreciated here as well

 

[Wildsky]

My coop floor is sand and always has been - same sand thats outside, didn't buy it or anything.

I've never HAD any other flooring.

We don't get that WET around here, cept when the snow starts to melt, but it never gets wet in my coop.

I DO use shavings, scooping poop in the sand is difficult, I use a horse pooper scooper and the chicken poop just falls through.

It sure is fine for them to eat it, mine do, and they dust bath in the coop in winter when there is no clear ground outside.

(Cetawin, you might want to change the straw in the nest boxes if you have problems with moisture)

 

[Cetawin]

Thanks Wildsky.

What I mean about moisture is outside. The coop itself stays dry but for me cleaning it out, I have to take the girls out and truck the shavings from coop to compost area and garden. I do not want the girls out in the cold rain whereas with the sand, I can use my kitty litter scoop daily and scoop it with the girls in the coop.

 

[columbiacritter]

As long as your area is dry. Here in the Pcific northwest where rian is nearly daily all winter we fight wet floors so sand wouldn't work.

My newest bany coop has peagraveul about 6 inches deep or drainage and will be topped with shavings.

 

[Cetawin]

Thanks for the local info.

Eggtopia is off the ground well so I do not have to worry about wet floors. the sand would be over the plywood and vinyl flooring.

I just had a royal pain cleaning the shavings a bit ago with the rain, fighting the girls who are stuck inside because of the cold rain and trying to get the dirty shavings out the door and keep the girls inside. They are soooooo not happy with me today because they are not being let out in this. LOL

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I get mine from a cement copy!

I have a small truch I get half a ton for $9 with tax

I change this every spring
I add sweet PDZ (to take out amonia smell) & DE ((mixes great))

by the spring this is like rich dirt (I throw in garden it has all ready been composted)


my coop is split in half so for younger chicken I mix wood chips in also!


(this is so easy ) wood never go back to wood chip & straw!

Joanne

 

[Cetawin]

Thanks Rchicks.....I am getting some tomorrow. I am going to try it through winter and if I like it, it will stay!

I really think it will ne nicer, easier to clean this winter and the girls will have a 12' x 12' dust bath area when the weather is bad outside.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Wildsky said:
<<I use a horse pooper scooper and the chicken poop just falls through. >>


I have had sand in my coop for awhile now and love it.
It's very easy to keep clean summer or winter with a cat scoop and a horse poop rake which I altered by tie wrapping 1/4 inch fencing material to it....chicken poop dosen't fall through it but the sand does.

 

[Cetawin]

Rainbow Eggs that is a fabulous idea. I like it. Thank you.