Hello All!

[mychickchick]

Hi I am a new chicken owner since May 5 2014. I am really enjoying all the ideas and comments you ate sharing. My chickens are now outside in their coop. I have 5 and all are doing good so far. My biggest question is should I use sand in my coop? I have heard pros and cons? ? Looking forward to hearing from someone

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Here is a really long thread on using sand, most people really really seem to like it, I really like it in the runs https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should the main complaints about it I have seen are from people who live in really wet climates not being able to keep it clean (poo gets mixed in) and that in really cold climates it is too cold in the coop.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Here here....sand worshiper!! As Kelsie has mentioned, as long as you don't live in a climate that is constantly wet, then sand is the greatest thing since sliced bread! Keep a roof over your run and sand is just great. I use it in my coop and nest boxes as well! It is dry even when wet, you can hose it down in the summer and it keeps the birds incredibly cool, there are no poop smells, keeps the flies away, easy to clean and the chickens love to scratch and bathe in it. I get mine right out of nearby dry washes and arroyo's for free. But you can get it from sand and gravel companies and most of them do deliver. River sand is supposed to be the best you can get, if you have access to a river you can dig it out of. You will want it about 4 to 6 inches deep. My coop and run stay squeaky clean with sand. I will never go back to regular bedding again.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!

Please make yourself at home and we are here to help. I'm going to go against the crowd and say that sand is not a good bedding material. It is heavy to move, chickens pick it up, thinking it's grit and end up with crop problems, it's bad in wet weather, it doesn't trap heat well in winter but can get super hot if used in the sun. The one good thing about it is that it helps keep the chickens' feet clean. So, it's up to you.

Again welcome to the community!

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html

 

[gander007]

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. If you live in a dry, low humidity area, sand is an excellent choice.