Cleaning sand run

[Arnolds2638]

We have had our now 6 week old chicks in the run and coop for almost a week. They are loving it. I am not sure the best way to clean the sand. They are obviously pooping everywhere But it seems to just get crumbled up into the sand. How can I sweep and scoop the waste out?

 

[DobieLover]

We have had our now 6 week old chicks in the run and coop for almost a week. They are loving it. I am not sure the best way to clean the sand. They are obviously pooping everywhere But it seems to just get crumbled up into the sand. How can I sweep and scoop the waste out?

I personally wouldn't use sand. It's high maintenance. I would add lots of dry organic matter so it can compost. Like dry leaves or a thick layer of wood chips.
What is under the sand?

 

[Arnolds2638]

We have a wood floor lined with linoleum. The area with the coop sometimes floods. Which is why we put a floor in and raised it

 

[kerbotx]

The Chicken Chick has an article on sand with cleaning tips:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-coop-bedding-sand-litter/

 

[skyshredder]

We have had our now 6 week old chicks in the run and coop for almost a week. They are loving it. I am not sure the best way to clean the sand. They are obviously pooping everywhere But it seems to just get crumbled up into the sand. How can I sweep and scoop the waste out?

Every am I use a kitty scoop under the roosts and in the run.

 

[skyshredder]

Every am I use a kitty scoop under the roosts and in the run.

It's simple when you have 3 chicken's.

 

[Arnolds2638]

The Chicken Chick has an article on sand with cleaning tips:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-coop-bedding-sand-litter/

Thanks!

 

[NatJ]

I am not sure the best way to clean the sand. They are obviously pooping everywhere But it seems to just get crumbled up into the sand. How can I sweep and scoop the waste out?

People who want clean sand seem to scoop at least once a day, before the poop has a chance to get crumbled up.

People who do not want to do that are more likely to use plent of plant-based bedding (wood chips, dry leaves, hay or straw, etc), and end up with a mixture that can be cleaned out a few times a year to compost and add to the garden.

People who have a dirt floor in the run often pile in bedding the same way but do not clean it out at all-- the lower layers slowly rot in place and disappear into the ground. With the raised floor, of course that would not work well in your situation.

 

[3KillerBs]

They are obviously pooping everywhere But it seems to just get crumbled up into the sand

This is why I would never consider a sand run despite the fact that I live in the NC Sandhills where sand is the natural condition of the ground.

I like deep litter -- plenty of dry organic material to absorb and compost with the poop -- keeping everything fresh and clean with minimal maintenance.

 

[Tonyroo]

I've used sand in the run in the beginning but there food ended up in the sand and when moisture hit it, it turns it into a stink fest. But if I ever use it again there can't be any food in there sand area to keep the stink in check. then you can rake out just the poop. That's what I noticed.

I ended up taking down my run and just let them come and go in my fenced yard. Never had any stink issues at all. This method works well for me.