No Sandy beaches for my girls

[Simplyrla]

So, I read about how using sand in the run really helps in drying it out after heavy rains. I live in Missouri and we can get some pretty heavy rains with wind so it can be wet and stay damp because of the high humidity here. Also there were benefits like easy poo clean up and it being easy on the girls feet .Plus it was mentioned water stayed cleaner because it sank and didn't foul up the water like dirt or pine shavings. Sounded pretty good so I went and got a truck load of sand and spread it in the run. I could hardly get my girls to go in the run and the next morning they would not step out into the run .I opened the run door so they could go out for the day and they just stood on the ramp. Finally one flew across the sand and out the door .The others followed .Now I guess they don't like the feeling of sand between their toes. Anyone else have this issue? Is there anyway to get them used to it or should I just bag the whole idea and shovel it back out .Any thoughts?

 

[aart]

Give them time....chickens hate change.
Toss some coop bedding out there and/or some treats.

Have had this happen when I totally changed out the coop bedding,
you'd think I put down hot coals,
now I save a bit of the old bedding and spread it across the new.

 

[Simplyrla]

So there is hope? I will try and put down some pine shavings on top and see if that helps .Thank you .

 

[Ohmyheart]

Mine didn't like the change to sand at first either. They sure love it now though. Just give them time and toss down some treats. The boldest will go after the treats and the rest will not want to miss out so they will follow shortly after.

 

[Simplyrla]

Mine didn't like the change to sand at first either. They sure love it now though. Just give them time and toss down some treats. The boldest will go after the treats and the rest will not want to miss out so they will follow shortly after.

Mine didn't like the change to sand at first either. They sure love it now though. Just give them time and toss down some treats. The boldest will go after the treats and the rest will not want to miss out so they will follow shortly after.

I will try that tonight when I bring them in. Just wondering if you like the sand.

 

[aart]

@Simplyrla Sand is likely to work best in an arid climate...and if you like to sift poops at least once a day. Adding some Sweet PDZ (zeolite) to your sand may help reduce odors.

Would you add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Ohmyheart]

I will try that tonight when I bring them in. Just wondering if you like the sand.

I do like it. The ordinance where I live is crazy. We have to clean daily so the sand is great for that.

 

[Simplyrla]

I like the idea getting the coop cleaned daily. It isn't required here as I am in a rural situation. But I really hate flies and keeping it clean really helps. We also occasionally get some pretty intense storms (sw Missouri-I put it in my profile-thanks) and I was hoping it would help keep things from staying muddy. I didn't realize it worked best in arid climates. We are definitely not dry. This morning we are at 78 degrees already with 80% humidity. I haven't seen our humidity below 55% in over two weeks and it has neen more like 75%plus. Hope I didn't make a mistake here .It sounded good .By the way I sprinkled in pine shavings in last night and they went right in.

 

[aart]

Hope I didn't make a mistake here .It sounded good .By the way I sprinkled in pine shavings in last night and they went right in.

Time will tell if sand works out for you or not.
Glad they went in!

 

[Coop Z-ville]

I am a newbie chicken keeper, but after reading many articles, I decided to use sand in my chicken run. I have 5 9-week old girls, who love the sand-digging, scratching, etc. I live in central Indiana, and the summer has been a really hot, humid one so far. Part of the run is under the coop and hard to get to for cleaning. Of course, that's where they like to hand out, as it is cool and damp under there. My problem is keeping the run area "fresh." I can rake under the coop, but it still has a slight farmyard smell. Has anyone used the product Litter Life Poultry Litter Amendment? It is a liquid that is mixed with water and sprayed on the litter in coop or in runs. Supposedly it even cuts down on bacteria so chickens are healthier.