Got sand? You should!

[hoppalongg]

Quote:
Good question @Elevan. I just figured the chickens would take care of any insects. They do love bugs! Maybe the sand is too deep. Anyone know the best depth for the sand?

 

[Baxter's Chickens]

We are ready to fill our coop and run. I want to use sand in both. Can anyone tell me what type of sand is best to use? Also should we mix in some food grade DE all around?
Thanks!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Baxter's Chickens :

We are ready to fill our coop and run. I want to use sand in both. Can anyone tell me what type of sand is best to use? Also should we mix in some food grade DE all around?
Thanks!

I use "washed sand". I don't know if it's the best but it's the best for me. I haven't had any problems with it.​

 

[tiffanyg2]

I like the idea of this sand!!

 

[The Tinman]

Mix some DE in the sand
Quote:

 

[Fawkes]

I thought playsand was bad for people and animals because the silica is bad to breathe in. Causes types of cancer, I think. Although, people put play sand in their kid's sandboxes...

 

[llaaadyel]

I am in the middle of building my coop and run and have read a lot about bedding. I think I will try the sand. What depth do I need to have in the coop and the run.

Thanks
E

 

[nwfl]

Just saw this post. One thing we have in abundance here is sand. I have white sand, grey sand and sandy rich loam thanks to my birds. We have sand pits that sell a red sand that packs well for construction foundations . It certainly works well for us and all of our neighbors. Drains very quickly when we do get rain. And, it makes for a nice dry floor in houses during wet spells. Regarding ants, we've got every kind of ant here but chickens make meals out of them. Fire ant hills don't last long if I show girls where they are. We let chickens into duck areas occasionally to thin out bugs and work on ants.

Oh yes, I will add there is nothing but sand here so our depth is till we hit water.

 

[Strader]

Im reading sand sounds like the way to go under all perches? what I havent seen yet is whether sand, shavings, or hay is good in nesting boxes? to me if were avoiding the messy sticky shavings by using sand an of course can use the kitty litter scoop then to clean up is great, but on the other hand sand doesnt sound good in nesting boxes. So to me we'll then have hay or chips eventually mixed on the floor....a new type of mess now....thanks for input.

 

[prodds]

If I put construction-grade sand in the run, should I still plan on sprinkling grit?