CAN YOU USE SAND FOR BROODER?

[Roxannemc]

Someone I am selling chicks to ask me can they use dirt for the brooder
I told them it could harbor cocci
What about sand ? Same thing? or would it work? Would the babies eat too much of it?
Seems like it would be less messy than the pine shavings but would heat up with a lamp above...The water stinks so bad when the shaving(mixed with poo I guess) get in it for a few hours I hate using it .....My water anyway!

 

[TheCrazyClucker]

Sand encourages bumblefoot. Not the best brooder bedding wise. I don't know much about dirt tho.

 

[RonC]

Yes dirt can harbor cocci. You could sterilize it in the oven but depending on the size of the brooder could be a project in itself.I suppose sand could also though. What ever you use in the brooder the chicks are going to send it flying. I doubt eating the sand would be a problem. They actually will pick larger particles out of it for grit. You are correct anout the sand heating up.Just heat one end of your brooder for them to warm up in. And make sure it doesn't get too hot. That can be worse that too cool. The way my waterer is made they cannot poop in it. The base of the container is almost as large as the dish portion. Kind of a bell shape. Don't recall who makes it but TSC carries them along with some feed stores. If you see one you will understand how it works to keep the chickens out of the water.

Ok I had to go look and see who made the waterer. It's Miller Manufacturing. Model 7506

 

[rje ma]

I used sand in my brooder and it worked just fine. Used a kitty litter scoop to clean and it worked great. No smell.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I used sand in my brooder and it worked just fine. Used a kitty litter scoop to clean and it worked great. No smell.

x2 works great

 

[Roxannemc]

I used sand in my brooder and it worked just fine. Used a kitty litter scoop to clean and it worked great. No smell.

That's what I was thinking! GREAT! I have the brooders in my house so sand to me is better than the pine shavings all over...well little better...
Thanks all for the information everyone

Ron
I havent seen that at my tractor supply unless its new.
Cant picture hows its made .Is it online?or can you get a pic? is it really big like for lots of chicks?
I always just have a hand full hatch

 

[Roxannemc]

Yes dirt can harbor cocci. You could sterilize it in the oven but depending on the size of the brooder could be a project in itself.I suppose sand could also though. What ever you use in the brooder the chicks are going to send it flying. I doubt eating the sand would be a problem. They actually will pick larger particles out of it for grit. You are correct anout the sand heating up.Just heat one end of your brooder for them to warm up in. And make sure it doesn't get too hot. That can be worse that too cool. The way my waterer is made they cannot poop in it. The base of the container is almost as large as the dish portion. Kind of a bell shape. Don't recall who makes it but TSC carries them along with some feed stores. If you see one you will understand how it works to keep the chickens out of the water.

Ok I had to go look and see who made the waterer. It's Miller Manufacturing. Model 7506

I'll tel l this guy he can bake it....Yeah dont think he'd want to. I wouldnt
The sand was my idea He said he has a metal tub.thinkthe sand would work
.I'll go to the website if they have one... look thereThanks

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

If you are using sand, when the chicks are brand new, just cover the sand with some paper towels for a couple of days, and sprinkle their food on the towels. They will learn what their food is that way.

 

[RonC]

That's what I was thinking! GREAT! I have the brooders in my house so sand to me is better than the pine shavings all over...well little better...
Thanks all for the information everyone

Ron
I havent seen that at my tractor supply unless its new.
Cant picture hows its made .Is it online?or can you get a pic? is it really big like for lots of chicks?
I always just have a hand full hatch

It's not really for chicks. It holds 1 gallon. Six chickens in hot summer weather will use the majority of two of them a day.



I didn't say that sterizing the dirt in your oven was a good idea, I said it was possible. I heard it can stink really bad. If using sand have a solid side on your brooder at least part of the way up or you will have sand everywhere.