Run: Dirt/Grass Vs. Sand

[CPlacht74]

So I am curious, which do you prefer and why? Annnd gooooooo…..

 

[SurferchickinSB]

So I am curious, which do you prefer and why? Annnd gooooooo…..

Well, the first spring and summer I had dirt and lots of grass and weeds, within six months or so it was pretty barren and just dirt, so I completely redid their outdoor run area and put in sand and planters. Now it just looks very clean and orderly.

 

[CPlacht74]

Well, the first spring and summer I had dirt and lots of grass and weeds, within six months or so it was pretty barren and just dirt, so I completely redid their outdoor run area and put in sand and planters. Now it just looks very clean and orderly.

How did you prep your area for the sand? My last coop/run was easy - it had concrete under all of it. My run now will have grass/dirt until they kill it all lol. I'm not sure how I would go about keeping the sand in at this point?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't prefer either, deep litter works best for my particular situation.

 

[danceswithronin]

Well I PREFER grass, but me and the girls apparently have a difference of opinion on that matter, as they won't let me grow sh*t in the run without scratching it all up. This summer I'm getting smart and installing grazing boxes.

Right now my run is brown mulch, and I try to keep some straw or timothy hay spread across the top of it to keep it dry and fairly clean. If it starts to get nasty I rake it out into the compost and put down fresh mulch/hay.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

My run is dirt but I use the deep litter method on it. I don’t like those bare dirt runs, they get so packed down and the birds can’t even scratch around.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I haven't used it, but from research I prefer sand

 

[SurferchickinSB]

How did you prep your area for the sand? My last coop/run was easy - it had concrete under all of it. My run now will have grass/dirt until they kill it all lol. I'm not sure how I would go about keeping the sand in at this point?

Hi there, I didn’t really prep the area, just scraped a few weeds that were left and then in the outdoor run area just put down about an inch of sand. It seems to stay put. Here is a couple pictures. Their area is always a work in progress. I put a couple covered growing areas in and I just feel that the sand is so easy to keep clean. I just add a few bags of new sand every six months or so.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

View attachment 1766700 View attachment 1766703
Hi there, I didn’t really prep the area, just scraped a few weeds that were left and then in the outdoor run area just put down about an inch of sand. It seems to stay put. Here is a couple pictures. Their area is always a work in progress. I put a couple covered growing areas in and I just feel that the sand is so easy to keep clean. I just add a few bags of new sand every six months or so.

This is what it looked like last summer.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So I am curious, which do you prefer and why? Annnd gooooooo…..

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Bare dirt is a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Making it deep littler or semi deep litter (I pick up poo) will give a healthier alternative as it invites other bugs and bacteria and creates a thriving, balanced ecosystem... That ELIMINATES stink!

I went with washed river sand delivered by a dump truck... and quickly realize it stinks to high heaven around the edges of my covered run when it rains DESPITE removing poo daily... poo juice gets left behind. I also have it in my large coop. Using the sand on my droppings boards... never dried out in my area, but when it did and I used the kitty scooper to remove waste... talk about breathing a nasty cloud of poo dust... and requiring a face mask. Also gets pricey, throwing sand out and replacing it... some is okay in the garden, but for my droppings board AND garden mulching... I far prefer rice hulls or nothing. Plus moving all that sand was a JOB that was very heavy. Humidity is at 100% all winter long here in the PNW.

As much as grass is nice too look at... Poo builds quickly in small areas... even though my Silkies didn't scrape the ruin to bare dirt... What I discovered is I like access to grass but also using semi deep litter... grass, leaves, bark, shavings, general mulch. Watering the grass area often (more than needed to keep it green) to wash away smashed down or left behind poos.

I just used old 4x4s around the base of the run to hold the sand (now DL) in. Yes, the DL also requires renewing of material. I am always adding fresh stuff, including used hay/shavings/ rice hulls from my coops/brooders.

I don't consider true DL as perfect for me. And research SAID sand was the best choice. Things aren't always the same in person as they are on paper. Sometimes it takes experimenting a little throughout different seasons to see what will really work best for you at your location with your stock load and your cleaning practices.

I am fortunate that my covered run is DL and my birds have access to all the green pasture they want. But if they didn't... I would totally be going with DL (once grass is gone), and adding grazing frames as others have suggested.

Good luck, can't wait till YOU are the one sharing your experience with others!