I am down the road from you in Whitakers......... I would, hands down, do sand. And yes, you are right to do the hardware cloth. Good luck!Red Oak, NC......have been offered a small coop..you know the kind with a little garden available on the top! It has 4 boxes in it and about a 4' run. The only problem I see is that it has reg. chicken wire on it and I've been reading about needing to varmit proofing the coop and run. I know we have dogs, foxs, hawks, possums, snakes,etc. . We live in a fairly rural area. so I want to take care of my ladies when I get them. I know that I'll need a bigger run because I won't be able to let them free range. We have no trees or bushes for them to duck under. It will also not be movable. I'm somewhat handicapped so I can't do the building thing.. Would have in my younger years but not now. I need any and all suggestions and pointers. Thought I would do some shaving/straw and some sand for my run/house. I can readily have access to both. I would be able to rake and scoop. I have already bought several rolls of the 1/4" square wire to help deter my blacksnake who has been living around my shed and really has been keeping the rodent population down. I'm thrilled to collect his skins and compare them but I also know he will love it if he has eggs available! Would love any feedback you can give me. Thanks wronghandedartistofredoak.com