Converting Coop Area from Pine Shavings to Sand, Suggestions wanted!

[Rhoise]

I wonder if it is similar to Sweet PDZ or Diatoms earth, I use both of those in conjunction with the sand.

Yes sweet PDZ is an expensive name brand zeolite product, now you can get it cheaper and it's all zeolites....DE is different. I watched a video where a scientist explained its purpose, and they actually use it to clean up nuclear waste disasters(which I'm sure some peoples coops are nuclear disasters!

) I was very interested in no smell, and easy clean up, living in suburbia now close neighbors. We wanted compostable, and non toxic too!

 

[RachaelS]

I need to do this so bad!!! I used hay, hated it, pine shavings, great till the first rain then it was a nasty mess, straw worked the best but still hated it. Now I just have bare dirt floors. I love the sand idea.

 

[ZaksGarden]

Yes sweet PDZ is an expensive name brand zeolite product, now you can get it cheaper and it's all zeolites....DE is different. I watched a video where a scientist explained its purpose, and they actually use it to clean up nuclear waste disasters(which I'm sure some peoples coops are nuclear disasters!

) I was very interested in no smell, and easy clean up, living in suburbia now close neighbors. We wanted compostable, and non toxic too!

Oh, I see. So I should be able to find a bag of just plain old "Zeolite" and it's the same thing and cheaper!

Cheaper is the key word!

 

[ZaksGarden]

I need to do this so bad!!! I used hay, hated it, pine shavings, great till the first rain then it was a nasty mess, straw worked the best but still hated it. Now I just have bare dirt floors. I love the sand idea.

Rachael, I'm not sure if you have a "Sand & Gravel" type company where you live, but river sand is VERY cheap. A truck bed full costs $9 which was double what I needed to make a 6 inch bed of sand in my 5 ft x 10 ft run. I would suggest doing that over buying the bags of sand at Lowe's unless you have a very small coop.

 

[RachaelS]

Quote:
My problem is finding a truck

, I have an SUV and trailer but the trailer does not have a solid bottom. However, there is a place less than 5 miles away so I might see what they charge to deliver. I have 4 coops so it might be worth it.

 

[ZaksGarden]

I know the Sand and Gravel company where I live delivers for an added charge. Depending on how deep the trailer is you may be able to use tarps and transport it if you get a small scoop. I promise you whatever you figure out it will be worth it! Don't you know anyone with a truck that you could bribe with fresh eggs?

 

[RachaelS]

I know the Sand and Gravel company where I live delivers for an added charge. Depending on how deep the trailer is you may be able to use tarps and transport it if you get a small scoop. I promise you whatever you figure out it will be worth it! Don't you know anyone with a truck that you could bribe with fresh eggs?

Nope the only people I know with trucks have those covers on them so they "don't get dirty", yes I live in Texas, but I also live in Austin, everyone else has either an SUV or a Hybrid or an SUV Hybrid

We actually have a truck but it is broken down right now. I will call them and ask about delivery.

 

[wendru]

Hello ! I realize this is an older thread but I have a question I am hoping you can answer. I live in Indiana & am seriously thinking about switching to sand in the bottom of my coop. I am done dealing with the never ending pine shaving mess. I have been told that people who have sand in their coops have problems with sand fleas. Has anyone had this problem ? What can be done to prevent it ?

 

[cmccullough1390]

Hello ! I realize this is an older thread but I have a question I am hoping you can answer.   I live in Indiana & am seriously thinking about switching to sand in the bottom of my coop.  I am done dealing with the never ending pine shaving mess.   I have been told that people who have sand in their coops have problems with sand fleas.   Has anyone had this problem ?   What can be done to prevent it ?

The only reason you would have sand fleas is if the sand was infested to begin with just get some DE and mix it in with your sand it's a natural pesticide that won't harm the birds just make sure it's food grade so when they peck the sand they don't get a beak full of who knows what

 

[Jennifer74]

Im in Wisconsin and new to chickens - my coop is in the process of being built so I dont have chickens yet. If I did sand in my coop and bedding or straw in the nesting boxes will my chicken stay warm enough in the winter?