Issues with sand in run

[R2elk]

I never wrote that it did.
Sand is dusty. I've used it in many construction projects. It's dusty.

I live on a sand dune, sand is not dusty. Sand is silica and is inert.

 

[MommyGirl]

We, too, have been using sand since March of '17 with no negative problems. We occasionally have to add a wheelbarrow load of new sand to fill in some "dust" bathing holes. Our run is covered so the sand never gets wet. Does your sand get wet??

Yes my sand does get wet. We only have shade cloth over top. But for awhile the sand was great but after awhile its hard as a brick in places. I think its the mixture of chicken poop that makes it do that. I really liked the sand in the beginning.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes my sand does get wet. We only have shade cloth over top. But for awhile the sand was great but after awhile its hard as a brick in places. I think its the mixture of chicken poop that makes it do that. I really liked the sand in the beginning.

Most people who are happy with sand over the long term are in dry climates and have covered runs.

I'm a deep litter fan myself. Do you have access to pine straw free for the raking? IMO, it's great for us here in the Steamy Southeast because it breaks down slowly and dries out quickly on top after even the heaviest rain.

 

[aart]

There are lots of different kinds of 'sand'.
Some sand can be dusty as heck...tho obviously not the sand that @R2elk uses.

Wondering if clay is a factor in @MommyGirl 's scenario.

I'm a wood chip fan.

 

[MommyGirl]

There are lots of different kinds of 'sand'.
Some sand can be dusty as heck...tho obviously not the sand that @R2elk uses.

Wondering if clay is a factor in @MommyGirl 's scenario.

I'm a wood chip fan.

Where do you get the wood chips and what do you ask for like what kind of chips

 

[3KillerBs]

Where do you get the wood chips and what do you ask for like what kind of chips

You want coarse chips, the short that you can often get from a tree-trimming service. The issue with that being that you usually have to accept an entire truck load.

Alternately, you can get coarse, PLAIN, undyed mulch from a landscaping supply place.

 

[aart]

Where do you get the wood chips and what do you ask for like what kind of chips

These are from tree trimmers chipping up branches.
I have space for a big pile on my land and got them to dump a couple loads.

 

[MommyGirl]

These are from tree trimmers chipping up branches.
I have space for a big pile on my land and got them to dump a couple loads.

Awesome i got land. Thanks

 

[bajabirdbrain]

Interesting how different the opinions are. We have never used wood for anything except pine shavings in the nest boxes. Our sand run has suited us to a "T". Can't imagine NOT picking up the chicken poop on a daily basis. With 14 chickens it takes literally 2 minutes to pick up poop in a 10'x24' run. We use a "kitty litter" slotted little shovel and a plastic coffee can as a container, then into a covered trash can that gets dumped about weekly into our compost pile along with grass clippings and tree branches/leaves. We virtually never have flies or odor, just saying

 

[MommyGirl]

I would love to keep using the sand if it didnt harden over time. Cause in the beginning it was awesome. Just dont know how to make it stay that way.