The sand I use in my runs in right on the ground I have heard somepeople use the sand they sell for childrens sandboxes. I dont have that problem hence the name of our farm lol I know it works my cochins and silkies do not get poo and feed stuck to the bottoms of their feet at all. My granddaughter just washed her white silkie for a show last week and only had to use alittle soap to get the feathers clean there was nothing stuck to the bottoms and no broken feathers either. When the sand gets too much food or poo or feathers, in it I just rake it out its much easier to clean than the chicken houses with wooden floors. I dont think I would use cat litter in my houses as it has to have chemicals in it.