Alternatives to wood shavings: beach sand maybe?

[Almarma]

Hi everybody,

I live in the north of Norway, with cold and long winters so the chickens spend a lot of time indoors. I've used wood shavings since the beginning as I assumed it was the only option. I hated it since day one, and I even think I got some respiratory issues because of the dust it produces when the girls move and scratch it looking for missing food or doing wood shavings baths when they can't do sand baths outdoors. I built a new coop last autumn so they could have a better place than the previous one and after just a few months in there, every horizontal surface inside the coop is covered in tiny dust. It even scares me thinking about the heat lamps I use to keep them slightly warm.

Well, the other day I begun wondering if replacing the wood shavings with coarse white sand from the many beaches we have around here could be a better (and free) alternative to use as bedding on the coops floor. Could it be ok to capture the moisture? Will it also produce dust? Any other dust-free alternative or idea?

Thanks in advance

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good question. Many, even in cold climates promote using sand. Chickens will consume some in lieu of other forms of grit. However, if you are speaking of sand from an ocean beach, it may contain too much salt.
If you've been using hardwood shavings, that could contribute to respiratory issues because of fungus. Like you, I've used shavings from the start but I always use pine shavings.
As for dust, chickens put out a lot of dust no matter what you use. Even having chicks on paper towels will put a lot of dust in the room.

 

[azygous]

I really wish there was a perfect substrate that wouldn't generate hideous dust. The sad fact is that chickens produce a significant amount of dust from their feather dander and from dirt bathing outside when the weather permits.

That said, I really prefer sand to other substrates. It's easy to scoop clean with a cat box scooper, and the chickens love to dirt bathe in it when it's too snowy to find a place outside in winter.

The big drawback is it needs to be protected from getting rained or snowed on and from runoff. It turns into a smelly mess when it's wet and soggy. My run is covered and it has panels on the sides in winter, so it stays dry except for a few small leaks. I like it. The chickens like it.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I think the issue with using beach sand, would be getting the bikinis to stay on the hens... that and the rooster in a speedo .. no body needs to see that.

 

[Cathy Roberts]

I think the issue with using beach sand, would be getting the bikinis to stay on the hens... that and the rooster in a speedo .. no body needs to see that.

 

[PotatoHead]

I use the deep litter method in my coop and run. We’ve had a lot of snow on Northern Idaho this winter. And even though my coop and run are covered the deep litter is still kinda wet in the run.

I’m on my second bale of grass hay this winter which I spread across the top of the deep litter to keep the ladies feet dry(ish).

 

[Almarma]

However, if you are speaking of sand from an ocean beach, it may contain too much salt.

As I read your comment about the salt, I'm just realizing that the water here in the coast is not that salty, is brackish water most of the time as the fjords make the coast very shallow and it rains a lot and lot of water pours from the mountains to the ocean all the time, so maybe that could help me. Anyway, I'm also considering (to be in the safe side) to pick some buckets of sand, let it under the rain for some days this spring, and then let it dry before trying.

Thanks for your tips

 

[Almarma]

That said, I really prefer sand to other substrates. It's easy to scoop clean with a cat box scooper, and the chickens love to dirt bathe in it when it's too snowy to find a place outside in winter.

Interesting, thank you. Specially because I'm helping my girls to recover from a lice infestation, so maybe giving them sand to get some proper sand baths instead of doing "shavings baths" as they are doing now will help them a lot

The big drawback is it needs to be protected from getting rained or snowed on and from runoff.

My plan is to use it inside the coop, over the floor. Everywhere except on the nests . It's very well protected from the rain so I suppose it won't be wet except from the waste they produce.

I think the issue with using beach sand, would be getting the bikinis to stay on the hens... that and the rooster in a speedo .. no body needs to see that.

HAHAHAHA. That image in my mind is priceless! Thank you

Here's a picture of the sand I have in a bucket and they like pecking. It's a mix of beach sand with pebbles (and snow ). I can pick much more than that and after reading your comments I think I'll give it a try. Also the fact that it's eroded by the sea will prevent hurting their feet or throats if they eat it . Thank you everybody. Wish me luck

 

[Gootsis]

I think the issue with using beach sand, would be getting the bikinis to stay on the hens... that and the rooster in a speedo .. no body needs to see that. [/QUOTE