Anyone use SAND in the run/coop

[akky]

I'm getting ready to order sand for my new coop. It is 8 x 12 and I'm thinking it should be about 3 inches deep based on what I have read. My local company is telling me I would need 2 tons of washed river sand (at $25 per ton) and a $60 delivery charge. That seems like more sand than I need, what are your thoughts?

Also, I thought I read somewhere that people change out their coop sand completely at times. What do you do with all the sand? It seems like it would be a lot of sand to do something with. Or do y ou just keep scooping it out and just replace as it gets low?

Thanks for helping this new chicken keeper.

 

[clairelinn]

It IS so much easier to clean. I know this is probably one of those "duh" statements...but I have figured out that after I let the hens out in the morning...if I go in then and rake up the little poo they have made at nite...the coop stays clean all day since they spend most of their day outside. It takes all of 5 minutes to clean and the coop stays so nice and tidy.

 

[Ga Boy]

This is free Sand!!

 

[BrotherJosh]

You could make your own, using a coarse screen. Or perhaps a swimming pool net?

http://www.poolcenter.com/coolpool_poolstor.htm?gclid=CKzTkcL8lp0CFSUsawodHz7V_Q

I found that this rake works well for me - gets most of the poo out of the run (sand-base in my run) and I don't worry too much about the tiny bits that don't get picked up. I just sweep it into an upright dustpan (so I don't have to bend over much) and it makes the job pretty easy.

 

[JimWWhite]

You want happy, happy, happy hens? Give 'em sand. Chickens need to have their sand baths every day. They sell a course sand here called 'Creek Sand'. I assume it's called that because they dredge it up out of the local creeks. Anyways, it's plentiful and cheap. I buy it at the local landscape yard for $15 a yard. Two yards will give me almost 3 inches of sand over my entire run. You ever see a chicken smile. Give 'em sand and you'll come back the next day and that's what you'll see.

 

[JimWWhite]

I'm getting ready to order sand for my new coop. It is 8 x 12 and I'm thinking it should be about 3 inches deep based on what I have read. My local company is telling me I would need 2 tons of washed river sand (at $25 per ton) and a $60 delivery charge. That seems like more sand than I need, what are your thoughts?

Also, I thought I read somewhere that people change out their coop sand completely at times. What do you do with all the sand? It seems like it would be a lot of sand to do something with. Or do y ou just keep scooping it out and just replace as it gets low?

Thanks for helping this new chicken keeper.

I put it in my garden. Generally I'll put it in an area I'm not going to plant this season and I'll let it cool off some. I took out a load recently and put it where I'm going to plant my fall garden this year. Specifically I'm going to plant a 4'x45' box of potatoes, collards, and lettuce this fall and most of the sand will go in that box and I'll run my tiller over it to work it down. I do everything in boxes and raised beds so it's a perfect thing to add to them. Helps break up the heavy soils we have around here.

 

[CoolClucker]

So the chickens don't miss digging in the dirt for insects? I was thinking of putting sand in the bottom of my run when I construct it, but should I let them peck down the grass first?

 

[Ga Boy]

Yea, let them take the grass down. Their is no hurry to get the sand in, but the chickens will have the grass down faster than you would think.

 

[BGMatt]

So, I asked in the other sand thread and never got an answer. I love sand for poultry, used it many times, but I was never as predator paranoid as this past year. If I use 4"-6" sand on top of the ground (Like frame the bottom of coop/run with 2x6's and then fill that "sandbox" with sand) will that prevent/discourage animals (mainly raccoons, I have other defenses for coyotes so they won't be an issue) from digging in?

 

[Ga Boy]

You could do many thing place rocks or gravel around the perimeter or you could put 2' wire on ground around the perimeter pin it down put some pine-straw in top.