Block Dust aka Chat?

[Momofthewild]

Does anyone know if block dust is safe to use as coop and run ground cover? It's also called Chat. I think essentially it's just ground up concrete or cinder block. It's so much cheaper than concrete sand. And it's gray instead of brown which I think would look a little nicer. Trying to get that accomplished today. I'd be super appreciative if someone could help.

 

[ronott1]

I would hesitate to use that since the stuff might be too sharp. I also wonder about other cement ingredients being a bit toxic.

Where do you buy this?

 

[Jambo88]

I would hesitate to use that since the stuff might be too sharp. I also wonder about other cement ingredients being a bit toxic.

I agree cement and concrete contains high levels of silica dust which is very carcinogenic in humans so I would assume its also harmful to chickens respiratory system

 

[Momofthewild]

I would hesitate to use that since the stuff might be too sharp. I also wonder about other cement ingredients being a bit toxic.

Where do you buy this?

Just at my local landscaping supply yard. They carry construction sand too so I think I'm just going to go with that instead. The block dust probably is way too dusty

 

[aart]

The block dust probably is way too dusty

Probably.
Sand is not a great choice for the run unless you live where it very dry....
....and like to scoop poop all the time.

 

[Momofthewild]

Probably.
Sand is not a great choice for the run unless you live where it very dry....
....and like to scoop poop all the time.

I live in North East TN. What would you suggest then? I tried pine shavings. That did not go well. They got moldy.

 

[Momofthewild]

Probably.
Sand is not a great choice for the run unless you live where it very dry....
....and like to scoop poop all the time.

Also, my run has a roof, in case that makes a difference. And I'm not going to have a huge run. Just an 8x8 so I don't think scooping will be that big of a deal. Of course I might be singing a different time later. I just don't want to have to worry about mold and too much stench.

 

[aart]

Sand+poop+wet = Stench.
It's pretty hard to get all the poop out, eventually the sand becomes saturated with pulverized poops and.....
YYMV.

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

 

[Momofthewild]

Sand+poop+wet = Stench.
It's pretty hard to get all the poop out, eventually the sand becomes saturated with pulverized poops and.....
YYMV.

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

Wow this is long....sorry....Should have listened to you. Ugh! So frustrated. I ended up using construction sand. Only a few days later and it smells like sour cream and cheddar chips. It's nasty! I did so much research on sand and thought it was the best choice. My husband is gonna kill me but I think I'm gonna have to get rid of it all and start the wood chips and dry leaves, etc. Ok so I need your opinion about something....the spot where we put the run, there was an old spring house or old well or something, I don't really know what it was, but we knocked it down and there was about a 2 or 3 ft hole in the ground. We filled it up with small pieces of cinder block from the walls of the spring house and that mostly filled it up but we also filled it the rest of the way with the sand...here's my question, when I switch to the wood chips do I need to get ALL the sand out, even the part we filled up the hole with? Or can I just take most of it out, leave a thin layer and what we filled up the hole with and put all the wood chips and stuff on top?
Also, sorry to be annoying but one more question...where the heck do u get Ramial Wood Chips? Will regular wood chips from like a tree trimming company work just as well? Here in Northeast TN I'm afraid if I call around asking for Ramial Wood Chips they're going to have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

[aart]

.where the heck do u get Ramial Wood Chips? Will regular wood chips from like a tree trimming company work just as well?

Same thing.....from wiki description I linked:
" RCW consists of the twigs and branches of trees and woody shrubs, preferably deciduous, including small limbs up to 7 cm. (23⁄4 in.) in diameter. It is processed into small pieces by chipping "

a 2 or 3 ft hole in the ground. We filled it up with small pieces of cinder block from the walls of the spring house and that mostly filled it up but we also filled it the rest of the way with the sand...here's my question, when I switch to the wood chips do I need to get ALL the sand out, even the part we filled up the hole with? Or can I just take most of it out, leave a thin layer and what we filled up the hole with and put all the wood chips and stuff on top?

Is this the depth of hole? How big in diameter is it?
Does water ever come out of it?
If dry I guess I'd just leave it filled as is.