Sand for chicken coop? Tube sand/grain size

[Kcollins213]

I got a bunch of quickcrete tube bags of sand. Someone wanted to get them out of their way and I have been debating about testing sand inside the coop. Now I’m second guessing if it’s ok to use in the coop. I figured I would come here and see if someone can help.

 

[chickentrains]

I have sand in my coop and I hate it

that looks fine to me though

 

[Kcollins213]

I have sand in my coop and I hate it

that looks fine to me though

What makes you hate it? We have a concrete floor that has been sealed. It doesn’t matter how much I clean it for some reason they get it wet and smelly. And they have a poop board so I am not sure why they have been going through shavings so much. We do have some ducks that go in the coop so I’m guessing it’s probably them. I just can’t take the smell! I cleaned it and within a week it smells again, I have put stall dry in it, and a coop refresher spray. It’s a large coop I believe it’s a 12x9 with a high ceiling and I have been leaving both windows and door open to help air it out. I was thinking of trying sand for the warmer months

 

[chickentrains]

What makes you hate it? We have a concrete floor that has been sealed. It doesn’t matter how much I clean it for some reason they get it wet and smelly. And they have a poop board so I am not sure why they have been going through shavings so much. We do have some ducks that go in the coop so I’m guessing it’s probably them. I just can’t take the smell! I cleaned it and within a week it smells again, I have put stall dry in it, and a coop refresher spray. It’s a large coop I believe it’s a 12x9 with a high ceiling and I have been leaving both windows and door open to help air it out. I was thinking of trying sand for the warmer months

The sand is wet and smelly too. It doesn't drain properly. I used sand that wasn't crushed all the way so it doesn't cause respiratory issues. It gets all hard like concrete and its a pain to turn over.

 

[Kcollins213]

The sand is wet and smelly too. It doesn't drain properly. I used sand that wasn't crushed all the way so it doesn't cause respiratory issues. It gets all hard like concrete and its a pain to turn over.

Hmmm....ok I’ll have to think about it. I just don’t know what changed in my hens, like it had such a strong ammonia smell one day I couldn’t stand to be in it. I’m kinda at a loss of what to do. It has never been like that before until a few weeks ago.

 

[chickentrains]

maybe mulch? that is what I am trying next.

 

[Kcollins213]

maybe mulch? that is what I am trying nex

maybe mulch? that is what I am trying next.

im afraid it would just mold. It’s for the inside of the coop

 

[aart]

What makes you hate it? We have a concrete floor that has been sealed. It doesn’t matter how much I clean it for some reason they get it wet and smelly. And they have a poop board so I am not sure why they have been going through shavings so much. We do have some ducks that go in the coop so I’m guessing it’s probably them. I just can’t take the smell! I cleaned it and within a week it smells again, I have put stall dry in it, and a coop refresher spray. It’s a large coop I believe it’s a 12x9 with a high ceiling and I have been leaving both windows and door open to help air it out. I was thinking of trying sand for the warmer months

Could be the ducks making the 'wet'....is their water inside?
Any chance the wet is coming from a leak or seeping in at ground level.
Wet is definitely going to make stink, need to find the source.

Got pics of coop inside and out?

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Kcollins213
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, and then it's always there!

 

[SayChicken]

So did you end up trying sand? If so did it work for you? Did you figure out why it was getting wet?

 

[neo71665]

I had sand for a week and got rid of it. Wood chips only now.