Sand in covered run

[M_Struna]

I’m curious what experience people have had with sand in a covered run, particularly in winter. I currently have sand in the coop and will replace with hemp for winter. I like it but find it to be very dusty when cleaning. It’s Quikcrete construction sand from Home Depot. Don’t think I’d use it again. This will be my first winter and I’ve read that sand will freeze and potentially cause bumblefoot. Has anyone had issues with this? The run has a shed style roof and great protection from westward rain and stays pretty dry. Also, I would love to get the Chicks Dig It sand but the closest retailer is over four hours away that sells it for $10.99/50# bag and they don’t ship. Other online retailers upcharge for shipping @ $20+ per bag. Any luck with buying from local gravel companies in bulk? Would appreciate any input you might have.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm right on the fence with switching to sand. We've used mulch for 2 years, but that absolutely freezes in the winter and gets horribly dusty. We do use sand in our two dig boxes, one of which has the Chicks Dig It sand. I can tell you their claims on it being low dust are pretty accurate. That said, the lack of super fine particles (aka dust) means it doesn't dry out the poops as quickly as traditional sand. We had somewhat of a disaster yesterday with Chicks Dig It + cecals + feathered feet.

The other dig box has something called "rice stone". I think it's only available from landscape companies. The particles are on the larger side with much less fines than construction sand. I can confirm it does not freeze (soaked it with a hose then put a bunch in a freezer bag). It also keeps their feet super clean if I can encourage them to dig around in it. That would probably be my choice if we were to switch over. Photo attached to show particle size.

 

[M_Struna]

I'm right on the fence with switching to sand. We've used mulch for 2 years, but that absolutely freezes in the winter and gets horribly dusty. We do use sand in our two dig boxes, one of which has the Chicks Dig It sand. I can tell you their claims on it being low dust are pretty accurate. That said, the lack of super fine particles (aka dust) means it doesn't dry out the poops as quickly as traditional sand. We had somewhat of a disaster yesterday with Chicks Dig It + cecals + feathered feet.

The other dig box has something called "rice stone". I think it's only available from landscape companies. The particles are on the larger side with much less fines than construction sand. I can confirm it does not freeze (soaked it with a hose then put a bunch in a freezer bag). It also keeps their feet super clean if I can encourage them to dig around in it. That would probably be my choice if we were to switch over. Photo attached to show particle size.

Good to know about the Chicks Dig It sand. I’d been convinced that’s what I wanted but the cost was going to be hard to justify. I’m going to reach out to some local companies about the rice stone. Sounds like the way to go. I’m a bit limited as I found out that I’m pretty allergic to any type of pine bedding. Decided on hemp inside for the winter since our temps can go pretty low in NE Ohio.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Good to know about the Chicks Dig It sand. I’d been convinced that’s what I wanted but the cost was going to be hard to justify. I’m going to reach out to some local companies about the rice stone. Sounds like the way to go. I’m a bit limited as I found out that I’m pretty allergic to any type of pine bedding. Decided on hemp inside for the winter since our temps can go pretty low in NE Ohio.

That's rough. I'm actually allergic to hemp, but I still use it! It's pretty much the perfect winter bedding for the coop with its ability to suck moisture out of droppings.

There's another user that was able to source the Chicks Dig It for around $11/bag. I believe she called the company directly to ask about local supplies. I tried to find her username, but am having a hard time. Hopefully she sees this post!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Amazon sells Chicks Dig It for $30/50 lbs. Seems like a lot for sand!
We use construction sand in our runs, cheap and the birds love it. It is dusty though, I’ll have to look for the rice sand.
I love Hemp bedding for the coop!

 

[M_Struna]

That's rough. I'm actually allergic to hemp, but I still use it! It's pretty much the perfect winter bedding for the coop with its ability to suck moisture out of droppings.

There's another user that was able to source the Chicks Dig It for around $11/bag. I believe she called the company directly to ask about local supplies. I tried to find her username, but am having a hard time. Hopefully she sees this post!

I’ll be doing the same if I have an issue with the hemp! I’ve left a message with the gravel company we deal with. On their website they have something that looks quite similar to your photo, but they’re labeling it as washed stone. Based on what you said about the Chicks Dig It sand not being very waste-absorbent I think I’ll take a different course and look for what you’ve had the best luck with. But thank you for your time!

 

[M_Struna]

Amazon sells Chicks Dig It for $30/50 lbs. Seems like a lot for sand!
We use construction sand in our runs, cheap and the birds love it. It is dusty though, I’ll have to look for the rice sand.
I love Hemp bedding for the coop!

It really is a lot for sand! Especially when it can be purchased in-store at Bomgaars for $10.99/50#. Trouble is, they won’t ship it and the closest Bomgaars to me is 4.5 hrs away. I’m looking into the rice stone. If it can be delivered in bulk to my driveway at a reasonable cost and is more absorbent than the sand…win-win! I need 1.5 ton since my coop is 8x12. That’s a lot of bags of sand!!!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I need 1.5 ton since my coop is 8x12. That’s a lot of bags of sand!!!

I know a lot of people will only use 2-3" of sand, but I want to fill to 6" so it lasts forever (or close enough). Our run is 9x24. I almost puked when my husband did the math for Chicks Dig It. I think it took 5 bags just to fill a 3x3 square to 6"!

 

[M_Struna]

I know a lot of people will only use 2-3" of sand, but I want to fill to 6" so it lasts forever (or close enough). Our run is 9x24. I almost puked when my husband did the math for Chicks Dig It. I think it took 5 bags just to fill a 3x3 square to 6"!

Yep! I bought 4 bags and have used kinda sparingly for their dust bath tub, which I have only seen the little jerks stand around and poop in. They act like it’s their social gathering place The base of our coop and attached run is 4x4’s, so we can’t go any deeper than that but I think it’ll do.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Yep! I bought 4 bags and have used kinda sparingly for their dust bath tub, which I have only seen the little jerks stand around and poop in. They act like it’s their social gathering place The base of our coop and attached run is 4x4’s, so we can’t go any deeper than that but I think it’ll do.

I guess that's the one perk to construction sand; they'll actually dust bathe in it. If we move to the rice stone, I'll have to convert one of their dig boxes to an actual dust bath.

4" is probably perfect. I just got a bit overzealous with the shovel while digging out the run. Whoops.