Sand in run want to switch to deep litter method

[MsKitkat]

Hi everyone I need some help. When I started my chicken venture I put sand in the run. I saw it recommended a couple time. It’s now been a couple months and it’s not working out. I think my area stays too wet and it’s a lot of maintenance. I want to switch to the deep litter method but I was hoping I could use the sand as a base so I don’t have to scoop it all out. The sand is also helpful since the coop/run is on top of river rock. My questions is has anyone had this experience and if so were you able to leave the sand and use the deep litter method on top or should I completely remove the sand? I really appreciate any help or insight.

 

[GodLovesU]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=444759

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=70
Those links both have some information that may be helpful.Hope it helps!

 

[AGeese]

This is what I do for my brooder. Sand on the bottom for new chicks, then as they begin to produce more and more droppings cover them with with shavings until the floor is all shavings.

I don't bother raking the sand because I can't get the kind that has the silica washed out only playsand which is hard on the lungs. So the flake keeps that from becoming airbourne, not that flake doesn't have dust, but not quite as harsh.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The Deep Litter Method basically means turning your run into a compost pile. The microbes that eat the organic material (poop and bedding material) need some moisture to live and reproduce. If it is too dry they die of thirst. If it is too wet the anaerobic microbes take over. The anaerobic microbes stink to high heaven and are slimy. What you are aiming for is the Goldilocks zone of damp where the aerobic microbes can thrive.

Sand is permeable, it has great drainage characteristics. But for it to work the water has to have someplace to drain to. It sounds like your run may be on an impermeable clay that holds water. It may be in a low spot where water drains to it or maybe you dug a hole and filled it with sand. The water still does not have a place to go. One possible solution is to put in a French Drain or something similar to drain that water to a low spot, but that depends on the lay if your land and where the low spots are.

You can try putting a mulch on top and turning it into a compost pile. Some people have had great success with that. @aart has had great success with wood chips but I don't know the details of how that was used or the initial conditions. Others have tried using an organic material and it did not work, it still went anaerobic and needed to be removed. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Good luck!

 

[aart]

Hi everyone I need some help. When I started my chicken venture I put sand in the run. I saw it recommended a couple time. It’s now been a couple months and it’s not working out. I think my area stays too wet and it’s a lot of maintenance. I want to switch to the deep litter method but I was hoping I could use the sand as a base so I don’t have to scoop it all out. The sand is also helpful since the coop/run is on top of river rock. My questions is has anyone had this experience and if so were you able to leave the sand and use the deep litter method on top or should I completely remove the sand? I really appreciate any help or insight.

You may be able to do the deep litter on top of sand and rock.
How wet is it and why?
Some pics of the run and the rocks would help here.
Do you have a place to store a large pile of wood chippings?

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @MsKitkat
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