Issues with sand in run

[bethnlee]

SO, I wonder, when talking about “sand” in the coop or run, if all “sand”is created equal? I’m a new chicken mom and have put sand in both my coop and run I’ve been reading this website (so much fabulous info here) as well as the Chicken Chick and The Featherbrained sites...both of whom are strong sand advocates and they make a strong case for sand BUT coarse sand...not fine sandlike kids sandbox sand . One of the ladies, I forget which, said do she was going to put sand in her run for the first time and report back. No update yet. I still like the sand. EASy to spot scoop the poop, cool, they nest done into it to find cool spots (it’s been 102 + here :-(. So, we’ll see... for those of you using wood chips,what kind of wood a?

 

[MartaKuz]

Glad I saw this...Newby here and was just thinking of adding sand to my lil run!
Hope you get answers soon!

I use sand in my chicken coop and in the runs with the moms and the chicks and it works out really great I do aerate it out every few days, and use a cat litter shovel to get rid of all of the poop. So I am very diligent about it it's a little bit of work for sure. Also it is not getting wet from any rain or anything so it's dry and works really well. Maybe you just need to dig through more regularly? Or it's possible it's too moist where you live? Not sure good luck!

 

[3KillerBs]

for those of you using wood chips,what kind of wood a?

Whatever the tree-trimming service can dump for us.

Mostly pine given my local ecology. But avoid Eastern Red Cedar.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

And this is the core of why I don't like sand.

When the Deep Bedding or Deep Litter gets too much poop in it I can compost it and use it in my garden. Poop-loaded sand doesn't compost.

Yeah, but it’s great for clay soil! We have such bad soil that we couldn’t even have a leach field for two people. We had to install a mini water treatment plant. I love our property, but man, I’m glad we have a post hole digger attachment for the tractor!

 

[Finnie]

I scoop the poop morning, noon and night

Not picking on you... it just caught my attention. No way I’m doing that!

 

[chickmamato7]

Yeah, I'm kind of obsessive about keeping a clean floor. Like, I literally almost clean up as they go. I can't stand poopy feet-- theirs or mine!

It's honestly no trouble at all to keep clean. I just visit my girls with rake in hand

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Yeah, I'm kind of obsessive about keeping a clean floor. Like, I literally almost clean up as they go. I can't stand poopy feet-- theirs or mine!

It's honestly no trouble at all to keep clean. I just visit my girls with rake in hand

Me too! But I use a long-handled wok skimmer. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZXGLW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[chickmamato7]

Me too! But I use a long-handled wok skimmer. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZXGLW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just ordered a 36" skimmer for the coop!

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I just ordered a 36" skimmer for the coop!

I think you’ll love it! I’ve had mine for over three years and no rust, no breakage, still works great. I keep one in the coop and one in the run. I just hang them on hooks.

 

[piginmud]

I just replied to a new member intro thread with a similar question about sand vs. wood chips.
To me, it's a no brainer. Wood chips all the way!
With sand you have to scoop it to keep it clean. It adds dust to an already dusty environment. It doesn't decompose.
With wood chips, it provides a substrate the birds can scratch through, dust bathe in and it slowly decomposes along with the poop load.
In the over two years I've been running the current setup, I've never cleaned anything out, just add a truck load once a year and rake flat every few months.View attachment 2694015

When you say wood chips, are you referring to mulch? Or just plain wood chips? Thanks!