Any negatives on sand?

[blackswamp]

My cousin told me at Easter she tried sand in her coop last year & it stunk. she then went back to pine shavings or straw I think with some DE mixed in with it & smell went away. I want to try sand in my coop first once I get it done.

My question is has anybody else had problems with sand in there coop or run?

Thanks
Jeff

 

[Kikiriki]

My cousin told me at Easter she tried sand in her coop last year & it stunk. she then went back to pine shavings or straw I think with some DE mixed in with it & smell went away. I want to try sand in my coop first once I get it done.

My question is has anybody else had problems with sand in there coop or run?

Thanks
Jeff

I love the sand...there was an odor when the area got flooded one time, but I have moved the coop from that spot: it was next to the house and the gutter clogged with leaves so all the water washed down right on the coop. A kitty litter sifter spoon works for easily sifting out the chicken waste. When they drop waste it is soon sealed inside sand until it desicates. It also makes for a soft landing down from the roost bar. I used shabings when I had a horse and they were messy...all over the place... Straw can be sharp and I personally do not like to handle it. But that is what all this comes down to --isn't it?-- personal preference!

Try the sand: if you find it does not work for you you can easily dump something on top of it. It still makes a good base since it does not hold water...

 

[chicksooner]

I have sand in 3 pens and for the most part I love it. The only problem I am having is in my grow out pen the poops tend to go right thru the sifter. I am searching for something better for sifting that pen. Super easy to clean the big pens and the only stink I notice is when it gets moist or if I let it go with out cleaning for a few days . The sand dries out quicker and I am not always adding new bedding or cleaning out the old bedding.