Does anyone use sand on the floor of their house?

[dwink2]

Hello! I have 2 geese, 3 turkeys, and 12 chickens who share a chicken house. They all get along fine and free range during the day. The house has a wood floor and I have been using pine shavings for litter. It has been working pretty good but I have seen on here when people really like sand as their litter. Most of these comments have come from chicken owners. I was wondering if anyone can give me advice on how the sand litter would work with geese. There is so much knowledge on here and this is my first year with my flock and it is a fun learning experience. Thanks for any advice.

 

[DanasChicks]

Hi dwink2,

Although we do not have a wood floor (we have a dirt floor) we do house our geese with our chickens and use primarily dirt and sand. We have always provided some straw in addition to the sand and dirt for the geese. The main reason for adding the straw is because the geese also lay their eggs in the same area. Geese tend to get the eggs dirty very quickly when there is little straw available. The geese actually create a nest with the stray and after they lay each egg they cover them until they are ready to sit. At times when we haven't provided enough straw for their liking, the geese go to the other side where the chickens have their nesting boxes. They chase out any setting hen and her brood and squeeze themselves into the nesting boxes to lay. My geese will not lay their eggs on just sand or dirt. When this happens the chickens try to steal the goose eggs to brood which creates quite a commotion. So, it's best if they have their own nesting area. We also believe the straw is probably more comfortable for them to lay on and helps keep them dry during the wet season. They manage to wet down the straw quickly with their poo, so we provide fresh once a week. It's not necessary to remove the previous layer of straw every time. If there are eggs laid when we provide fresh straw, we just move them and put them back after adding more. They don't like it when we mess with their eggs, but once we put it back, they go right in and fix their nest until they are satisfied that no harm has been done... lol. I must say that they let it be known how much they like the fresh, clean dry straw.

Hope that helps!

 

[DuckCrazi]

Never heard about using sand. Sounds good. I just use wood shavings and straw.

 

[dwink2]

DanasChicks thanks so much for the info about helping keep peace in the coop! I will keep all of that in mind when my goslings mature and begin laying. I had intended on getting them their own over size nesting boxes and your knowledge will be helpful.

 

[DanasChicks]

Hi dwink2,

I have an area for them that's blocked off, so it's about 4 x 5 and they sleep and lay eggs there. You could use the bottom half of a plastic dog house to place straw in. Just about anything will work. Have fun with your flock.

 

[BarredRockGirls]

We have a wood floor w sand over top then our ducks have a corner of a thick hay nest they cuddle in .. Then I made a nest for the geese babies and are training them to use that one . I think they really cuddle up w the ducks but O well the sand area is raked 2 x a day and it's clean all the poo from chickens ducks and geese gets raked out works great

 

[dwink2]

We have a wood floor w sand over top then our ducks have a corner of a thick hay nest they cuddle in .. Then I made a nest for the geese babies and are training them to use that one . I think they really cuddle up w the ducks but O well

the sand area is raked 2 x a day and it's clean all the poo from chickens ducks and geese gets raked out

works great

Good ideas! Thanks.

Hi dwink2,

I have an area for them that's blocked off, so it's about 4 x 5 and they sleep and lay eggs there. You could use the bottom half of a plastic dog house to place straw in. Just about anything will work. Have fun with your flock.

Thanks, I have been looking around for something for them to use as a nesting area.