Hello from Indiana!

[tiffmw10]

Hi everyone! My husband and I bought an old farm on 5 acres and trying to figure out the best structure for a coop. We have a pig barn (that would provide indoor safety) that is probably my best bet. My question is, if my chickens are on concrete and grass, is sand my best bet to cover the concrete?

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

 

[TwoCrows]

Sand is an excellent medium for chickens and covering concrete. I love sand. It is easy to clean, it stays dry, it keeps the flys away, you can hose it down in the summer and keep the birds really cool, there are no smells from poop, and it has tiny stones for the gizzards. The birds love to scratch around in it. I use it in coops, runs and even the nest boxes!!

Here is a great link to using sand that will help you out...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should

Good luck with all your new poultry adventures and if you have any other questions, that is what we are here for!

 

[Tuhmu]

and good luck with all your poultry adventures!

I'm also hoping to switch to sand this summer. It sounds like its the best!

Quote:

Sand is an excellent medium for chickens and covering concrete. I love sand. It is easy to clean, it stays dry, it keeps the flys away, you can hose it down in the summer and keep the birds really cool, there are no smells from poop, and it has tiny stones for the gizzards. The birds love to scratch around in it. I use it in coops, runs and even the nest boxes!!

Here is a great link to using sand that will help you out...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should

Good luck with all your new poultry adventures and if you have any other questions, that is what we are here for!

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Lots and lots of people love sand. I personally didn't think it was all that wonderful and am happily using pine shavings and straw for my coop flooring.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! I love sand /gravel for runs or anywhere outside. I have a concrete floor in the main coop and do use pine shavings, find them easier to handle and clean out, especially in the winter... but we don't have free sand either ...

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[gander007]

 

[tiffmw10]

Thanks to everyone for posting. We do have sand on our property, so it would be easier for us when it free. I'm just glad that's it's good for the chickens as well as keeps flys and dust away.

 

[TwoCrows]

Thanks to everyone for posting. We do have sand on our property, so it would be easier for us when it free. I'm just glad that's it's good for the chickens as well as keeps flys and dust away.

Great! Yes, I get my sand for free as well. I dig it out of the arroyos and dry washes on the property. Free is good!!