Red sand in the run???

[Firemenlovechicks]

Hey all!

I finally decided that I was going to put sand in my chicken run. I called a local company and told them to deliver me a load of sand..... I didn't think about there being different types / grades of sand..... I just envisioned white sand..... It never crossed my mind!

Well, what they delivered was red sand...... the type that they use under the concrete slab when building a house...... It seems to pack down pretty tightly when I step on it (it's pretty wet right now)..

Does anybody else have this in their run? How does it work for you? Should i mix another (more coarse) grade of sand or gravel with it?

This stuff is easily packed down, but you can pick up the clumps and they tend to break apart pretty easily, just wondering about drainage? What do you think?

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[wolfandfinch]

Quote:
Is it just to keep your run from getting muddy? I can't imagine it being that big of a deal. Do you give them grit? I was told to put some gravel in the run as well, but have received opposing advice here, so I'm not sure about the gravel.

love your screen name!

 

[Firemenlovechicks]

Yes,

It's mostly to keep the run from getting muddy. My pen has 2X10 boards along the bottom, and I intend to fill the area with sand to help with drainage and keep the run a little more sanitary.

 

[Huskeriowa]

I am no expert with chickens but I do know about concrete sand since I sell concrete. If you were delivered sand that is locally produced for the use in concrete construction then you already have a course sand. From what I have read in this forum, this is the type of sand you want in a run. Concrete sand is a good product if you want decent drainage. Good luck.

 

[Firemenlovechicks]

Quote:
Thanks! This makes me feel better! Gonna be alot of work to get this done and I just don't want to have too many problems after I get it put in.....

Jeff

 

[wolfandfinch]

Quote:
Thanks! This makes me feel better! Gonna be alot of work to get this done and I just don't want to have too many problems after I get it put in.....

Jeff

Hey just because I don't know anything about sand OR chickens doesn't mean that his reply was so much better! haha

 

[Firemenlovechicks]

Quote:
Thanks! This makes me feel better! Gonna be alot of work to get this done and I just don't want to have too many problems after I get it put in.....

Jeff

Hey just because I don't know anything about sand OR chickens doesn't mean that his reply was so much better! haha