Any dangers with using sand?

[flockoffour]

I am considering using sand in the run of my coop, and I was wondering if it could be harmful in any way for my chickens to scratch in if they consume some of it? Also, is there any problem of them "inhaling" it so to speak if it gets very dry and dusty? I would assume this would also depend on the type of sand, but I am a horse person and associate sand with sand colic.
Thanks!

 

[nbenevento]

Get the sand! I just switched over to sand and I love it. You don't have to give them grit anymore, they love it for dust bathing and it is super easy to keep clean, among many other benefits. Get yourself a kitty litter scooper and clean up is easy even if you want to do it daily or not. Get the sand.

 

[Chick Charm]

Sand is good for chickens. Clean sand is best but dusty dirty sand will do. Sand will not hurt your chickens. They will only eat what they need. And if it too dusty, spray it down with a hose to wash some of the dust away.

Wish ya the best.

 

[Neddie]

What kind of sand? I seem to remember reading something about not using play sand.

 

[flockoffour]

thanks for the tips, I think I will be getting some this weekend! And I think I will be using construction sand.

 

[truckguy]

get the sand. it works great.

 

[heather21]

Can you use play sand once they are about 10 weeks?

 

[tweetybaby2005]

Can you use play sand once they are about 10 weeks?

You can use sand with even younger chicks. I use it with my chicks in the brooder and they are doing fine.

 

[txnative]

I have also read that a reptile scoop is better than a kitty litter scoop for cleaning up - smaller holes.

 

[truckguy]

Another member here used metal screen that is used for stucco. I did the same and works great. My roommate had some from a job and I had some spare wood lying around so it was easy and cheap to make.