Sand in brooder? Pine causing sneezing

[AGeese]

I used the commercial stuff and it killed one of my chicks after she ingested it. I would strongly advise against it for baby chicks.
This is what I used:View attachment 2997026

Did you reach out to the company? I see that as an issue that needs to be looked into.

 

[chickfused]

I use coarse construction sand or river sand from the local quarry.

You have to be really careful not to get the commercial stuff with high silica/ground recycled glass content as that can kill the birds and it's not always declared. Write the manufacturer if needs be. I use the bags from Lowes, SakCrete brand AFAIK. About 5 bucks for 50-70 lbs.

 

[AGeese]

I use coarse construction sand or river sand from the local quarry. You have to be careful not to get the commercial stuff with high silica/ground recycled glass content.

What sifter do you use exactly?

 

[Harmoni]

Did you reach out to the company? I see that as an issue that needs to be looked into.

Yep. No response. And rural king won't let me leave a bad review.

 

[chickfused]

What sifter do you use exactly?

One of these. It's expensive, but it's literally a lifetime purchase. You may have to replace the handle in 20 years, but as a sifter it won't get abused.

I also put a fine layer of sand on my poop board, and use a large flat edge drywall mud scraper, scrape all the poo and sand to the middle of the board and then hold this shovel to the edge, pull the pile onto it. The sand goes through and the poop stays in the shovel. That goes into the manure bucket, then I resand the board.

I almost never have to clean my coop. About once a year, you'll need to bleach and scrub the poop board's edges, but that's about it. And add some sand to replace whatever gets scratched out or sticks to the poo over time.

I also mix in a little Sweet Stall if it gets smelly at all in the summer heat and humidity (but it rarely does).

Once a day I do this process when I collect eggs. Takes 5-6 minutes for 15 chickens to have a clean house every day.

https://www.amazon.com/Mud-Sifting-Square-Shovel-Handle/dp/B08R2DJWGL/

 

[AGeese]

One of these. It's expensive, but it's literally a lifetime purchase. You may have to replace the handle in 20 years, but as a sifter it won't get abused.

I also put a fine layer of sand on my poop board, and use a large flat edge drywall mud scraper, scrape all the poo and sand to the middle of the board and then hold this shovel to the edge, pull the pile onto it. The sand goes through and the poop stays in the shovel. That goes into the manure bucket, then I resand the board.

I almost never have to clean my coop. About once a year, you'll need to bleach and scrub the poop board's edges, but that's about it. And add some sand to replace whatever gets scratched out or sticks to the poo over time.

I also mix in a little Sweet Stall if it gets smelly at all in the summer heat and humidity (but it rarely does).

Once a day I do this process when I collect eggs. Takes 5-6 minutes for 15 chickens to have a clean house every day.

https://www.amazon.com/Mud-Sifting-Square-Shovel-Handle/dp/B08R2DJWGL/

Great, I'm definitely going to try and locate some clean river sand if it's affordable. I have a handheld sifter, but the long handle is the way to go to keep your face out of it all.

 

[chickfused]

This is safe, and I use it for top offs...maybe 2-3 bags/yr. I usually only hit up the quarry when I'm first building.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sakrete-50-lb-All-purpose-Sand/1000489239

 

[AGeese]

This is safe, and I use it for top offs...maybe 2-3 bags/yr. I usually only hit up the quarry when I'm first building.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sakrete-50-lb-All-purpose-Sand/1000489239

That's a bit on the fine side which you still wouldn't want to inhale and has the Prop65 Warning Label ...not that I take too much stock in Prop65 as they slap that on everything you purchase and it's not very informative in regards to why, what, when, or how.

 

[Harmoni]

That's a bit on the fine side which you still wouldn't want to inhale and has the Prop65 Warning Label ...not that I take too much stock in Prop65 as they slap that on everything you purchase and it's not very informative in regards to why, what, when, or how.

That's the sand I use and there is very little dust.

 

[AGeese]

That's the sand I use and there is very little dust.

That's good for sure, I was referring to the grain size itself.