Sand for the coop??

[DarleneE]

Can anyone tell me where the best place is to buy sand for our newly completed coop?? Also what is the best type of sand to put?? Someone also mentioned something called sweet PDZ. Where can I buy that and how much would I put in a 10' by 3' coop approximately. I'm planning on putting about 3" of sand??

 

[Eva Haley-Lock]

you should try hay instead. if you get sand for the coop tour chooks will love to take baths in it, but hay is a lot nicer and better for the coop. but sand for the run is good.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

We are planning on getting sand when our bedding runs out. I think "river sand" is what I read. Can be found at sand and gravel locations. Eva I would love to hear why you think hay is nicer for the coop? We are currently using wood shavings.

 

[DarleneE]

Hay I was told by many is a NO NO as they tend to try to eat it and it can get tied up in their crop. Besides how do you clean that?? Sorry, forgot to mention that my coop is NOT outside!! It's inside our screened lanai with a wood floor covered with linoleum to protect the wood. I've decided against sand for right now after all however because I've researched it further and have found out that it's NOT safe for young chicks as they will eat too much of it and get into trouble. A little is GREAT but to much will harm them I read??!! SO we're going to start out with pine shavings for the first 6 months or so THEN switch to sand. Btw my chicks are 9 weeks old right now and they peck and eat ANYTHING they see!! ))

 

[JaceAgain]

Hay is no way from everything Ive read, plus its not absorbent at all. We are using a dirt ground with sand, just google sand + your city and a few places should come up that sell by the truckload for cheap.

 

[The Lazy L]

Sand for the coop, absolutely. Good source of grit for their digestion (crop) too.

Lumber yard usually has it in 50 pounds bags.

Local gravel pit would be cheaper if you could pick it up yourself.

 

[DarleneE]

Thank you!! However now I've read that sand is unsafe for young chickens?? They say they'll tend to eat it, which some is good for them but too much is very dangerous?? I'm SO confused. Now we're going with pine shavings the first few months.. which I have NO clue as to how to clean that everyday?? Turn it over and mix it up?? Geez Louise!! Help!!!! My hens are about 9 weeks old now.

 

[azelgin]

Thank you!! However now I've read that sand is unsafe for young chickens??
I'd be concerned if the chicks were days old, instead of weeks old. I think your other post said they were 9 weeks? That's old enough to know the difference between sand and food.

 

[JaceAgain]

Thank you!! However now I've read that sand is unsafe for young chickens?? They say they'll tend to eat it, which some is good for them but too much is very dangerous?? I'm SO confused. Now we're going with pine shavings the first few months.. which I have NO clue as to how to clean that everyday?? Turn it over and mix it up?? Geez Louise!! Help!!!! My hens are about 9 weeks old now.

Ive had sand and shavings in my brooder since day one, it seems to be a some do/ some don't thing. My chicks haven't had a problem so far, knock on wood. They are 1week- 4 weeks old ish. I believe for the most part, they know when to stop eating sand

 

[jenniemig]

I used sand in my brooder from day 1. I have a dump truck load of coarse sand that I am putting in the coops and runs for my chickens, ducks and turkeys.