Anyone use SAND in the run/coop

[jelyseb]

Where do you guys buy your sand?

 

[Spartan22]

Where do you guys buy your sand? 

I bought mine from a local hardware store in bags, so it's easy to haul.

 

[matsayz]

Does anyone think it's a bad or not great idea to swap the coop from pine shavings to sand/PDZ/DE mixture during the Winter? We live in Colorado Springs, CO and there's been quite a bit of moisture in the air lately so I'm not sure about switching. I'm getting tired of tossing so much shavings with a tiny piece of poop! I'm going to head to Home Depot and some other places to look for some river sand or coarse type stuff. Also, Big R should carry Sweet PDZ right? Thanks!

 

[Spartan22]

I recommend not to use DE in the coop at this time of the year. Sand/pdz/ pine shavings combo might be a better alternative for keeping the coop dry and less harmful to their respiratory system, when chickens spend more time inside. My hens are out in their run majority of the time since the pop door is open 24/7. Their poop boards are scooped every morning (5-10 min chores) that keep the coop clean and dry and their feet not tracking poo in the nests.

 

[lynnehd]

Does anyone think it's a bad or not great idea to swap the coop from pine shavings to sand/PDZ/DE mixture during the Winter? We live in Colorado Springs, CO and there's been quite a bit of moisture in the air lately so I'm not sure about switching. I'm getting tired of tossing so much shavings with a tiny piece of poop! I'm going to head to Home Depot and some other places to look for some river sand or coarse type stuff. Also, Big R should carry Sweet PDZ right? Thanks!

I think mixing coarse (construction or masonry grade) sand with sweet PDZ would be a great option in your coop. I would imagine your chickens spend the day down in the protected run, and return to the coop only to lay eggs.
In any case, sweet PDZ is made of a naturally occurring mineral that absorbs ammonia ( there is no DE in it). So it does not cause respiratory symptoms. Some folks use straight PDZ on the floor of their coop.
You can get bags at most feed stores. Then you use a kitty litter scoop and scoop the poop each morning.
Note: you could consider adding a small lip around the opening to help hold bedding in?

 

[matsayz]

I think mixing coarse (construction or masonry grade) sand with sweet PDZ would be a great option in your coop. I would imagine your chickens spend the day down in the  protected run, and return to the coop only to lay eggs.
In any case, sweet PDZ is made of a naturally occurring mineral that absorbs ammonia ( there is no DE in it). So it does not cause respiratory symptoms. Some folks use straight PDZ on the floor of their coop.
You can get bags at most feed stores. Then you use a kitty litter scoop and scoop the poop each morning.
Note: you could consider adding a small lip around the opening to help hold bedding in?

Thanks for the advice! The chickens are down in the run all day like you said but might want to hang out in the coop with the sand for dust bathing. I think we can convince them to use the two baths they already have though. I was thinking of putting up a piece of wood like you said as well if we made the switch to sand and PDZ. Thanks again! I'll post up the end result!!

 

[lynnehd]

Thanks for the advice! The chickens are down in the run all day like you said but might want to hang out in the coop with the sand for dust bathing. I think we can convince them to use the two baths they already have though. I was thinking of putting up a piece of wood like you said as well if we made the switch to sand and PDZ. Thanks again! I'll post up the end result!!

Mine dust bathe in their sand mixture every day for about an hour at 2:14pm, lol. They LOVE it. (JK, but they do have an amazingly consistent schedule).

 

[csaylorchickens]

Wet run with sand.
I have wash and strained River sand. It has done so well over the last year reducing muddy messy run and reducing bumble foot. But recently it has been raining rheannon freezing keeping the ground wet despite sand. Any advice on how to keep the run dry? It's not covered only part of it is. Maybe I need to cover the whole thing in the winter?

 

[lynnehd]

Wet run with sand.
I have wash and strained River sand. It has done so well over the last year reducing muddy messy run and reducing bumble foot. But recently it has been raining rheannon freezing keeping the ground wet despite sand. Any advice on how to keep the run dry? It's not covered only part of it is. Maybe I need to cover the whole thing in the winter?

Yes. Get a clear tarp and cover the whole thing. Sand works best if it stays drier. The member above plans to use it in the coop itself.
Using sand in an open run is more challenging.
So cover the roof of the run (and perhaps the 'wet' sides- in our area, that's the North and East sides mainly), and instead use wood chips and/or leaves in the area exposed to rain.

I've had great luck with this link for heavy duty, non tear, poly tarps. The heavy duty poly tarps are reinforced.
Figure out the size you need. Prices are good, so adding shipping still keeps it reasonable.

http://www.ptmtarps.com/clear-heavy-duty-tarps/

 

[matsayz]

Update:

So we added a few bags of multi-purpose sand from both Lowe's and Home Depot along with a little bit of "Sweet PDZ". It's been great! The poop just sits right on top and is super easy to scoop up with the cat litter style scooper. The chickens seem like they could not care less which is great. I would recommend this method over shavings any day of the week for sure.