Pros and Cons of Sand on run with plywood flooring

[rachel2293]

I'm new to this and have been trying to figure out the best material to put down in the run I'm finishing up which will have a plywood bottom. I've heard conflicting opinions of sand and am curious on everyone's experience with it. Thanks ahead of time!

 

[cavemanrich]

Sand is fine in a run,,,,, but I would have a problem with it being on top of plywood. Don't know your location, so if you are in an arid climate, then no rain means sand stays dry. Wet sand means rotting plywood underneath. Sand inside a coop is a different story. Inside coop is not subjected to rain.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[aart]

IMO, the only good place to use sand is on a poop board.
Some really like it as bedding tho.
As rich mentioned, climate is something to think about.

So ....Welcome to BYC! @rachel2293
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.

 

[chickens really]

Plywood in the Run isn't usually used ..Just sand I have and it works great in the Run.

 

[rachel2293]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was thinking of using plywood flooring because my coop is on pavement, but realize that could cause a problem if it gets too wet.

 

[rachel2293]

Plywood in the Run isn't usually used ..Just sand I have and it works great in the Run.

Have you tried different types of sand? The only type of sand I've been able to find near me is play sand

 

[chickens really]

Have you tried different types of sand? The only type of sand I've been able to find near me is play sand

We get sand from landscaping companies

 

[chickens really]

The sand I use is called Hawaiian white sand.

 

[perkolator]

If your run is over pavement, I would just make a box border out of wood to contain some wood chips/mulch/straw/organics that will soak up all the funk and be low-maintenance Then if you ever need to shovel it out in like a year it will be very easy with a flat shovel.

 

[Aristocat123]

IMO, the only good place to use sand is on a poop board.
Some really like it as bedding tho.
As rich mentioned, climate is something to think about.

So ....Welcome to BYC! @rachel2293
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1937749


What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.