Got sand? You should!

[csaylorchickens]

Well the warning wasn't for those of you in the souther part of our country. I certainly would have liked to see a warning that sand would have froze my roosters feet off. I'm hoping that my one legged rooster will regain his luster and fertilize eggs so I can butcher my roosters. He seems to have gotten his attitude back and has made efforts so I think it's just a matter of time.

Sorry about your rooster!! I hope he gets his groove back.

 

[AZ chicken nana]

I was told 6" over a plywood floor, seems to work well. Be sure to get washed sand and not sandbox sand as it is too fine. I had mine delivered, bought 7 tons and that was enough for two 10X10 coops.

 

[AZ chicken nana]

So sorry about your rooster, I would not have thought about sand freezing. I will know now if we ever get a real crazy cold spell I will put a brooder lamp in there to take the chill off the sand. My worry is always the opposite , how hot it gets here and how to keep them cool.

 

[Bush84]

Unfortunately it was all three of my roosters. My best off is one with the peg leg. One has lost a foot and his toes. Another will lose half of his foot and his other foot. Will send them to freezer camp soon. Again hoping I can hatch a replacement.

 

[Bush84]

Sorry for the double post but had to tell this story. It's sad and a bit humorous. My wife doesn't get into the chickens much but will collect eggs now and again. I told her about the frostbite, but I don't think she was really aware how bad it was. It's very apparent where dead tissue was and what will fall off. One day at work she almost stepped on a black foot in the chicken coop. Lol. Like I said funny but also sad. On the bright side he gets around better now that it's off

 

[kitten4686]

Oh wow...sorry about your rooster
I think mine are a little spoiled right now...still trying to figure out how I want things... they are all still ducklings and chicks... i have two heat lamps and the eden pure heater in here now with only a low of 40 its only 65 in coop but much warmer under lamps.... and because I have ducks also I'm not planning on doing the whole coop in sand...just around food and water under nest boxes and poop board...like I said still trying to figure it out how I want everything :/ lol

 

[kitten4686]

I was told 6" over a plywood floor, seems to work well. Be sure to get washed sand and not sandbox sand as it is too fine. I had mine delivered, bought 7 tons and that was enough for two 10X10 coops.

Thanks for the reply i did get fill sand (not the fine stuff) had 5 tons delivered its currently under a tarp hopefully drying some... while we finish work on coop

 

[mommaduckwing]

Could someone tell me if this would be good for ducks? My ducklings are almost ready for the great outdoors but I'm looking for a way to cut down on mud

 

[AZ chicken nana]

Thanks for the reply i did get fill sand (not the fine stuff) had 5 tons delivered its currently under a tarp hopefully drying some... while we finish work on coop

Good luck with your coop, I think you will be pleased with the sand. We clean with a horse manure rake covered in a piece of metal cloth so you can sift and only the chicken manure stays on the rake. Great for composting!

 

[AZ chicken nana]

Could someone tell me if this would be good for ducks? My ducklings are almost ready for the great outdoors but I'm looking for a way to cut down on mud

I don't have ducks but I am sure someone out there can tell you. It may depend on where you live. I couldn't have sand in my chicken's run because of how hot it would get in the summer. If you don't have that problem I can't think of a reason it wouldn't help with the muddy areas. Again I don't have ducks.