New to BYC and raising chickens ...sand in the run?

[bawkbawkhens]

Will have a hen house and a roofed run...is sand ok in the run? river sand as I read...but ok in the run? I live in the Pac NW...

Bawk Bawk!

Daniel

 

[nanaluvsgps]

I haven't used sand before, but if it is in the sun it could get quite hot and burn the pads of their feet. It probably wouldn't be a worry if they free ranged druing the day.

 

[bawkbawkhens]

wont be in the sun due to being covered..AND I built in a shaded area...

 

[BigdaddySean]

I use river sand, and I love it!! I go through once a day or every couple, and scoop up poop with a sifter, and you are done.
My run is 8 x16, and I roofed 12 feet of it, and left 4 foot just hardware cloth roof.
You can rake it around, and if it does get wet, it drains out and dries very fast.
I just bought another load locally, and it was 40 dollars for 2500 pounds.