sand in coop

[bohemiachicks]

hi all new to byc (been lurking for a time).
I have read most of the threads on using sand but i still have a question
I live in the northeast Long Island NY and we do get below freezing in winter . what happens to the sand does it freeze hard or not. seams hard to scoop frozen sand ?

thanks

 

[RedneckGurl]

Bohemiachicks, I don't live in the north but I have read all the sand threads on BYC in preparation for using it in my own coop and run. I seem to remember reading on one of the sand threads that the sand does not freeze, just the water, and it freezes on top since water freezes from the top down. The person writing about it went out in the morning and just broke the ice off the top of the sand with a metal pole or something hard (can't remember exactly) and was able to lift the ice up in chunks and throw it outside the run.

 

[chfite]

Even in Long Island, the temperature will rise enough on most days to enable you to rake the sand. According to the USDA Hardiness Map you are in the same zone at I am here in South Carolina. The ground rarely freezes here. The daytime temperature is rarely below freezing for more than a couple of days at a time.

Unless the sand is in standing water as deep as the sand, you should be able to break it up to rake on the coldest day. The purpose of the sand is to allow the water to drain down, so the top should be damp at worst.

Chris

 

[teach1rusl]

Our sand will harden for short spells over winter time. Melted snow, followed by freezes - it goes to figure. You can still rake it, even if it's just raking the top. Our sand is pretty low...need to add more this summer/fall. The deeper it is, the more likely it'll stay (mostly loose) year round.

 

[bohemiachicks]

THANKS EVERYONE