leftover decomposed granite...

[omi4500]

Okay... sand and decomposed granite (DG). Have new coop for my new chicks, and it has a run/floor area of 72sf. Was planning all along to put down washed construction grade sand as the flooring....BUT after a landscaping project was completed in my backyard this past weekend, we ended up with at least a full scoop (at least a cubic yard) of leftover DG. Comparing the DG makeup to the Quikrete sand I still have in the brooder, the DG looks to have more of a variety in the sizes of the pieces. Curious on your thoughts about using the DG itself as the coop flooring. I know DC compresses over time (ie - we're using it for some walkways in our garden), however I'll be cleaning the coop near daily and could rake the DG to keep it loose. I did dump a small amount in the coop yesterday and the chicks immediately started dust bathing in it.

FYI - the kind of DG used in my garden is called "Pyrite Gold" for its color, and it has no additives or stabilizers added. The construction co I bought it from also sells a variety of DG that is primarily used for horse stalls, but this kind is different. Here are some pics of the leftover product in my yard,,, Do you think I could use the DG for flooring in place of construction grade sand?





If it's not a good choice to use, we can find other places in the garden (more paths, etc) to incorporate it - so it wont go to waste. But since I was going to use sand in the coop anyhow, I thought I'd get your feedback on whether it could double as coop litter/flooring. Thanks!

 

[iwiw60]

As long as it doesn't contain any "silica" ...

 

[omi4500]

Hmmm...I will have to look into that to confirm, but I am assuming it does have silica in it - simply by the nature of the granite weathering and breaking down.

 

[iwiw60]

There's something about silica that is toxic to chickens...I'll try and find it and post if I do.

 

[iwiw60]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=sand

Go about half-way down the page and you'll see a section called Tips for Using Sand...in that first paragraph you'll see "silica" mentioned. Click on that link and it refers to silica as being cancer-causing, etc.

Hope this helps in your decisions!

 

[omi4500]

Thanks again for the feedback and the links. The info and blog link are helpful. Ironically, the DG looks very similar to the sand in the blog photo! Forgive my sand ignorance, but am I wrong in thinking that all sand has *some* amount of silica? Some more than others, yes, but I guess the point - as stated in the blog link, is to find sand with lesser amounts of silica?
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I did also find this at the blog link, which may be the party pooper for the DG since granite is at least part quartz...
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So, it's likely back to the original plan of getting some washed construction sand from the local quarry or whatnot. I can always use the leftover DG elsewhere in the garden. Was just hoping to save myself the time of a trip to the quarry, but that's okay.

 

[cherylgladys]

I have a question on this thread about decomposed granite... I plan on getting some natural DG because where my coop is there is alot of dirt, and it's fine for summer, but in the winter I am afraid that the drainage from the top of the coop is going to drip down and get in the coop/run area, plus it just might be muddy around there. Can I apply DG and then maybe put something around the coop exterior, like header boards, to keep water out and prevent it from coming in. Suggestions helpful!