Play sand

[CathyB]

Ok, my DH was able to get some free bags of play sand from work. I thought it would be great to put a container of it in the coop for the girls to dust bathe in. Well, all they are doing is eating it like it is the best treat ever. Do I let them go or will eating the sand harm them?

 

[ozark hen]

If there is nothing added to the play sand then I would think it would be great for their crops but I do not know this for a fact. Someone will know soon.

 

[CathyB]

Thanks! I hope someone will know soon! It is th esame bags I see at Lowe's and stuff for the kiddies sand boxes.

 

[Miltonchix]

Here in Northwest Florida there are NO rocks. All my chickens use for grit is sand. I tried putting grit out for them. They wouldn't touch it. One of their favorite treats is for me to run the hose on the sand so they can DRINK their grit.

 

[CathyB]

Thanks! So I guess it is ok for them to have it. I am such a worry wart Mommy!

 

[hooligan]

I use the super fine pool sand for my house chickens and they use it for grit and dust bathing.

Eventually they will figure out its not food

 

[JaciesCoop]

All of my runs are at least 6" of play sand all over. It's much easier to rake, soaks up the rain, easy for them to dust bath in and they love digging in it for little bugs that the human eye can't see. It won't hurt them at all!

Jacie

 

[CathyB]

Thanks everyone! I thought I was going to have to take it out. Now maybe all I have to do is go take a dust bath and show them what to do!

My DH will think I have really losy my mind if I did that!!

 

[LynneP]

We have sandy loam soil, grit in the feed, and they still love to dust bathe in play sand and have a container of grit. They can't seem to get enough. I've stopped asking questions, it's a 'chicken thang'...

 

[sBrickmanHouse]

We dump a bag of that exact same play sand in our run every once in a while to dry it out, and our girls eat it, too!

Hasn't harmed them a bit-- they're all shiny, happy and healthy. Still haven't convinced them to dust bathe in it, though...