New Chicks And Using Sand

[jnkir7]

i am trying the sand for the chicks to use in place of wood chips, but am concerned about them eating it at such a young age ,would like input please.

 

[axion_lotus]

Sand is great; I'm using sand right now. It's so much easier to clean than wodchips, and it doesn't stink.

My recommendation is, put some paper down over the sand for the first two or three days (so that they know what their food looks like) and then you can remove the paper and let them walk on the sand. Yes, they'll still peck at it, which is fine, but at least they'll know it's not food, so they'll ignore it after awhile and dustbathe in it every once in awhile.

 

[Blue_Myst]

That's a good idea. I'll have to consider that for my next brooder!

As long as they don't eat obvious mouth-fulls of it, I say go for it! Another plus is that you wouldn't need to feed them grit.

 

[Reyvaughn]

I'm building a new brooder that I plan on using sand in. I am sick of the shavings being tracked all over. I am sick of the dust from it, too. I am hoping it's easier to clean than shvaings (and I have heard it is). Plus, it's good for dust baths and for grit.

 

[jeb251]

I use sand in my brooders from day one and I love it, easy to clean and after many many broods, pour it on the garden.
I usually change it once a year

 

[Nimby Chickens]

What kind of sand? Sterilized playground sand? Or just plain old sand in a bag from Lowes?

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

This hatch was my first time using sand and I love it. So does my vacume cleaner, it can handle sand but shavings not so good would clog the tubes. I got mine from left over sand from resanding the barn. I'm going to sand in the rest of the barn as soon as I clean the chicken stalls.

 

[jeb251]

Quote:
I use stone sand, also called manufactured sand, I use the same thing in the runs for the big birds, I get it at the local quarry for about $6 a ton if I buy enough of it, it would great and its cheap

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Oh! Good to know! I have some playground sand I usually use for the kids in their sand table.. I think I'll give my chicks a little sand box of their own! Thx!