Sand in the brooder -- it's worth it!

[Bellatrixed]

I got the pre washed all purpose sand, quikrete and opened the bag and the sand is wet, I really want to move my chicks to a bigger area, do I have to dry it first?

I had that problem. You can dry it out pretty fast if you use heat lamps or set it out in the sun. Try spreading it thinly and then stir it a couple times a day. It should dry out in a day or two.

I've put chicks on sand that is still slightly damp, but I'd be hesitant to put them on really wet sand.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

I spread wet sand that I had gotten from my yard (that I had rinsed) in my boy's sleds...two of the long plastic ones...it dried in two days.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

I wonder if putting a window screen cover on the brooder might help? Or if it would trap too much dust inside the brooder?
Hum,
Karen

Nope, it doesn't help much. The dust is so fine that it goes right through the screen holes. The only reason I keep a screen top on mine is because my babies like to explore and I've had them out on the regular floor a couple of times of their own accord. Good thing the floor is linoleum and not carpet or I woulda been mad with all the poop presents they left for me!

 

[Suzierd]

Well I put a big scoop of the wet sand in the kiddy pool and Winnie liked it so much she rolled in it and it stuck all over her.

 

[Suzierd]

Scared the heck out of me it was just matted to her. She seems to be fine now it dried and fell off. It was funny Penny was standing beside her peeping her head off and giving her a peck now and then like why aren't you hollering something is wrong with you! I'm taking your advice and I'm trying to dry it outside, of corse here come the clouds.

 

[MontanaDolphin]

Scared the heck out of me it was just matted to her. She seems to be fine now it dried and fell off. It was funny Penny was standing beside her peeping her head off and giving her a peck now and then like why aren't you hollering something is wrong with you! I'm taking your advice and I'm trying to dry it outside, of corse here come the clouds.

If it's gonna rain, another way that is more time consuming and more work is to spread the sand on cookie sheets and bake them in your oven at 200 degrees until dry. Every hour just open the oven and stir the sand CAREFULLY (so none spills over the sides and ends up on the bottom of your oven). Takes a few hours per batch.

 

[Suzierd]

Thanks but I think I'll go with the sun.

 

[EsKezzy]

thanks for all the helpful info here.

 

[nuzzymom1]

Hmm...guess I may try sand with my new babies today. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[shellyjimrye]

I have used sand in my brooder with my chicks since day one. I slowly removed the paper from the top of it and now that they are two weeks, they are fully on the sand. They LOVE it and better yet, in the two plus weeks that we have had our babies, no smell at all!!! Just the best suggestion that I have ever seen!