Sand in run

[Rick&Chris]

the sand shouldn't be detrimental to their health, but I don't think it's going to solve the dirty feet issue, and it certainly won't be much fun cleaning poops from it.
...and it will likely end up stinking to high heaven when damp.

Wish I would have done more research before I had 3 scoops of sand installed! I was hoping for a different outcome. Came highly recommended by The Chicken Chick and other sites I searched.

Thank you for your input. I'll probably keep scraping the top and throwing it away until the sand is gone LOL

 

[MommyGirl]

I had sand and hated it but switched to wood chippings too! I absolutely love the wood chips so much cleaner

 

[Rick&Chris]

I had sand and hated it but switched to wood chippings too! I absolutely love the wood chips so much cleaner

Interesting. I had wood chips for years and layered more when needed. Did a deep clean 1-2 times per year. Their feet were always dirty and clumped with who knows what. How long did you have the sand? I just had 3 scoops installed. Will take a long time to remove that ...

 

[MommyGirl]

Interesting. I had wood chips for years and layered more when needed. Did a deep clean 1-2 times per year. Their feet were always dirty and clumped with who knows what. How long did you have the sand? I just had 3 scoops installed. Will take a long time to remove that ...

I started with sand when I first got chickens. Had the sand for a couple years at first it seemed ok for awhile but after awhile it seemed to get really hard. Never took the sand out but got wood chips over the top of the sand now for a year and seems to work so much better for me and keeps their feet cleaner but some people love sand so give it a try

 

[aart]

I had wood chips for years and layered more when needed. Did a deep clean 1-2 times per year. Their feet were always dirty and clumped with who knows what.

How deep were your wood chips?
Did/do you have feather footed birds?
I've never noticed much issue with dirty feet unless it was pouring rain or snow melt season,
then maybe some dirty eggs.
But then I don't have lap chickens.

 

[Rick&Chris]

I started with sand when I first got chickens. Had the sand for a couple years at first it seemed ok for awhile but after awhile it seemed to get really hard. Never took the sand out but got wood chips over the top of the sand now for a year and seems to work so much better for me and keeps their feet cleaner but some people love sand so give it a try

Thank you! I appreciate your input! Wish me luck!! lol

 

[Rick&Chris]

How deep were your wood chips?
Did/do you have feather footed birds?
I've never noticed much issue with dirty feet unless it was pouring rain or snow melt season,
then maybe some dirty eggs.
But then I don't have lap chickens.

I had a few inches of wood chips and would throw in Koop Kleen (chopped straw with PDZ). I do not have feather footed birds, but their feet were always gross with all sorts of 'stuff' stuck to them.

I was concerned about crop impaction from some of the stories I've been reading. I hope that it is not an issue! I love my birds - I've had them for over 4 years ....

 

[aart]

I had a few inches of wood chips and would throw in Koop Kleen (chopped straw with PDZ). I do not have feather footed birds, but their feet were always gross with all sorts of 'stuff' stuck to them.

Well, they do step in poop, it's just part of chickening.

I was concerned about crop impaction from some of the stories I've been reading. I hope that it is not an issue! I love my birds - I've had them for over 4 years ....

Straw might be part of that issue.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Well, they do step in poop, it's just part of chickening.



Straw might be part of that issue.

We haven’t had an impaction - luckily. I’ve been reading that sand could cause this?

I’ve had the sand for 48 hours, and I’m already regretting it. Hoping it dries out so it’s easier to clean.

 

[Sammster]

Thanks - i don’t know where to get that. That’s how I ended up with this. Is it sold in bags?

I went to my local sand and gravel company and told them I needed sand for my coop, because I bought bagged, construction sand, and it was way too fine. He knew exactly what I needed, and brought me some. It's perfect! I'll never buy bagged sand again. And it cleans like a dream!

Editing to add: I use this to scoop it (I'm a daily scooper). My coop never stinks. I do use pine shavings in the run, because I think it's probably cozier. While in the coop, the girls are typically on their roosts or in the nesting boxes