Contractor sand for dust bath

[Rick&Chris]

I would be out there with them. I wouldn’t let them be out unattended. I’ll start taking them out there when the sun is out.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I just use good ol dirt from the yard. The thing that worries me about sand is that it could solidify in their crop. Not so good! The dirt has tiny bits of grit which is good. Personally I would not use sand.

 

[azygous]

I just use good ol dirt from the yard. The thing that worries me about sand is that it could solidify in their crop. Not so good! The dirt has tiny bits of grit which is good. Personally I would not use sand.

I wouldn't worry about sand "solidifying" in a chicken's crop. Have you ever watched a cement truck with the big barrel turning on the back keeping the sand and other ingredients of cement mixed and in a liquid state? That's sort of how a chicken's crop functions. It's constantly churning and mixing and it empties regularly.

As long as baby chicks have access to plenty of fresh water, they will not suffer any ill effects from eating sand. I've watched new chicks on sand. They do seem to consume a fair bit, but this lasts only for a couple days. As soon as their gizzards are kitted out with grit, they lose interest in eating sand.

 

[aart]

I would be out there with them. I wouldn’t let them be out unattended. I’ll start taking them out there when the sun is out.

Just wasn't sure you had time to dink around all day with chickens like us retired fogies do

 

[MissChick@dee]

I guess solidify was a poor choice of words. I still like good ol dirt. Grit is different than sand my thinking was any thing that refined (sand) wouldn’t work as well as grit which is coarser even in tiny bits.
My chickens have great taste in dirt for dust baths. Any of my garden beds that have miracle grow soil in it (ya know the expensive stuff) they love it. So to keep them out of where I don’t want them I give them their own bed. Spoiled rotten just rotten!

 

[Rick&Chris]

I guess solidify was a poor choice of words. I still like good ol dirt. Grit is different than sand my thinking was any thing that refined (sand) wouldn’t work as well as grit which is coarser even in tiny bits.
My chickens have great taste in dirt for dust baths. Any of my garden beds that have miracle grow soil in it (ya know the expensive stuff) they love it. So to keep them out of where I don’t want them I give them their own bed. Spoiled rotten just rotten!

Love it!

 

[Rick&Chris]

If it warms up any today, I’m going to let them into the outside pen area. It is still on grass, I’m sure they’ll love that! I hope it gets above 60 degrees today. We’re in a cold snap - too early for me!

 

[azygous]

Sending the kids outside to play is good for their feather growth. It will acclimatize them to cooler temps quicker and they will be weaned off night time heat sooner. Just watch for signs of chilling and let them go back inside. But I think they'll do fine at 60F.

 

[aart]

If it warms up any today, I’m going to let them into the outside pen area. It is still on grass, I’m sure they’ll love that! I hope it gets above 60 degrees today. We’re in a cold snap - too early for me!

Was about 60 here yesterday, sunny, and the wind died down so was really nice out.
Not seeing any more 60's in the forecast tho

 

[Rick&Chris]

We had a brief outing today! Not much picking, they were nervous, but so stinking cute! This weekend we are placing the coop on the ground (it is still on the 4x4s) and I hope to predator proof it soon. Until then, supervised excursions only.