Hi all! I have a question. I understand that if I were to go to my home improvement store that "washed construction sand" is preferred over "play sand". But here's my question...My ranch in Central Texas was, once upon a time many eons ago, the beach of the Gulf of Mexico and is therefore has many areas covered by lots and lots of sand. It is a beautiful, clean sand that dries quickly and which I use for all sorts of projects around the ranch.
My question is this: Is it okay to use this natural sand in my run? In my coop? It seems silly to pay for, tote, and store sand from town when if I can use what I have right here on the ground everywhere. The sand is very naturally clean without a lot of "junk" mixed in at all. No sticks, twigs, leaves, dirt., etc. The word "pure" comes to mind. Think of the most gorgeous, clean beach you ever saw--that is this sand!
That said, I've read that silica is bad for chickens and I know that there are several companies around here that have the word "silica" in their company names which sell sand to golf courses, outdoor volley ball courts, etc. I know they do process what they dig up here to produce the "silica sand". But isn't all sand silica to some degree? Maybe these companies sift or wash it or something.
I think about the fact that chickens have been living in this part of Texas forever without special "store brought" sand from a fifty miles away. Then I think about the fact that chickens have also been dying of God knows what here forever as well.
So, thoughts?
My question is this: Is it okay to use this natural sand in my run? In my coop? It seems silly to pay for, tote, and store sand from town when if I can use what I have right here on the ground everywhere. The sand is very naturally clean without a lot of "junk" mixed in at all. No sticks, twigs, leaves, dirt., etc. The word "pure" comes to mind. Think of the most gorgeous, clean beach you ever saw--that is this sand!
That said, I've read that silica is bad for chickens and I know that there are several companies around here that have the word "silica" in their company names which sell sand to golf courses, outdoor volley ball courts, etc. I know they do process what they dig up here to produce the "silica sand". But isn't all sand silica to some degree? Maybe these companies sift or wash it or something.
I think about the fact that chickens have been living in this part of Texas forever without special "store brought" sand from a fifty miles away. Then I think about the fact that chickens have also been dying of God knows what here forever as well.
So, thoughts?