For those that have sand in their coop - how do you like it?

[doodledoo]

We have a 8X40 coop (divided into 4 sections) with a dirt floor. I put shavings down on it but I am not happy with them. How do you like the sand? How often do you have to add more? Is it pretty easy to rake out? Is it okay to put chicks on sand? Most of the chickens free range all day and are only in the coop at night (but I think that is when they poop the most). Any comments (good or bad) or suggestions would be appreciated - if I decide to go this route I will have it delivered Friday so that I have the weekend to put it in the coop but I am still up in the air on it.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I have a 24 x 12 foot coop divided into three individual coops. The coops have a sand floor. I find that it is alot easier to clean than the hay DH has in the smaller coop. I just use a rake to pick up and feathers and poop. I then shake off the excess sand using a screen and take out of the feathrs and poop. I only have a small pail full to carry out. I also find that there is no smell at all. We live in Florida and with the heat the smaller chicken coop can get very skinky but the sand coop does not. Hope this helps Micki

 

[Shared Acres]

I'm in Fla as well and have a dirt floor in the run. The chickens love rolling in it. The babies LOVE it. Plus they can really scratch at it and make a mess.

My husband likes the thought of raking out the poop, instead of buying more shavings.

 

[2chickenrich]

we put DE in and it rakes out easy with just a leaf rake we add some a bag or two once a month but it is like raking rocks up we add DE once a week

 

[flagday76]

I am using sand for the first time in my brooder, and I LOVE it! In the past, I have used pine shavings, but found it to be very messy and hard to clean. The sand is easy to clean because it has a drying effect on the poop, and as such causes it to clump...kinda like cat poo does in litter.

Also, I have not had a problem with pasty butts on any of the chicks...I think it is because they ingest some sand, and this acts as grit. Just my opinion on this from observation and research, but seems to be true.

This summer, I plan on using sand in my runs. It would drain well, and be easy to clean. Also, because I have silkies and brahmas, I think the sand will be good to use because it will prevent mud from damaging the feathers on their legs. I would only use the white play sand (limestone), not the brown. White play sand is a little bigger particle, and is not quite so dusty.

Another thing I am thinking about is using sand as a base in my coop next year. I already have all the pens set up for this winter, or I would do it now...maybe I'll work on this a little before winter REALLY hits here (Northern New York)...What I have going on now is many separate pens with breeder pairs and trios by variety and breed. My shed has a cement floor, which is cold and holds moisture. Although I have a good, deep base of pine shavings, they will dig and scratch down to the cement. I think I will put enough sand in to make a 4 to 6" base, then add shavings on top. I can still clean out the shavings as needed, but still have a good base with the sand to insulate from the cold, damp cement. I mostly like the shavings for the insulating effect from the cold, as they can hunker down and fluff up in them when it gets really cold. I'll see how it goes with the sand, and report back. I might try this idea out this weekend in two of my pens if I can find some white play sand.

From researching this topic, I believe that sand is the way to go for many reasons. Perhaps the only downside would be the dust factor, but you will get that with any type of bedding/flooring.

Just my opinion...

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Heya -

I put a half ton of sand in my chicken run this summer - it rocks!!!

I had smell, I had wet muddy dirt, the sand took care of both problems, and for the person who wondered about dust - it is actually less dusty than plain dirt, because the sand grains are heavier than dirt dust.

It si easy to clean, also, just rake it a bit and the poo dries up and either gets mixed in til it gets crushed to dust, or you can rake out the bigger poos.

meri

 

[kalaim]

Add me as another lover of sand!! It's great! I just set up my coop this early fall so I'm a newbie but so far I'm liking it.

I couldn't imagine any other way than just raking it all up.

I put a rubbermaid containter under their roost, where they seem to poop the most and collect a lot that way. I just need to empty that into the compost eventually.

I have 8x8 and I ordered a ton of sand and it was the perfect amount.