Sand in the coop/run?

[Zahboo]

I am getting serious about the plans for my coops now. How much sand is needed for 128sq foot of coop? Also, how much does sand cost. I am not even sure what kinds of sand is best. I just know it will be easier to rake sand then shovel shavings.

 

[Omran]

Quote:
I think one bobcat scoop of sand is all what you need, may be will run a bout $20 to $25.00.

 

[Zahboo]

Ummmm where do I get that? I figured just get bags and a shovel...

 

[ivan3]

We started with 200lb. Qikrete Playsand in 56sq.ft. (about an inch) and added another 100lb. To that we mixed in a half a pound of DE. But that is the base. We use wood chips and straw over that. This makes clean up easy and helps keep things dry. Every spring we just undo the 1"x4" stop in the doorway and shove all the old sand out into the run. As the run is slightly sloped the sand (large grain) works its way to the low side (lined by large rocks) and it is just raked back up to the high side.

Sand alone might work well if breeds are small and roosts are high enough that the chooks have to fly down. If roosts are low and breeds are heavy (think hop down and thump), then add wood chips or straw to reduce compression on legs/feet.

We add a hundred pounds every couple months to both the turkey and chicken runs and it makes an enormous difference during `mud' season.

 

[Zahboo]

There are 2 flocks of bantams and a flock of standards. The roosts will be about 16" up.

 

[Big C]

Quote:
You might call a local concrete company and give them you sq ft and depth. They can tell you exactly how much you need. May be cheaper buying bulk than bagged and have several grades of grit size, If you have a pickup to haul with it could be a lot cheaper.

 

[Rowtag]

I used construction sand, it ran me $18 for a scoop. I got mine from a place that does landscaping stuff. Very easy to rake out and keeps things dry as well as cool on the really hot days.

 

[GardeNerd]

My run is much smaller. I used about 4 bags @ 50lb. each of construction sand from Lowes. Each bag was about $4.

 

[grumps]

It really depends on how deep it's going to be as you're going to be looking at cubic yards. Lowes has .33 cubic yard bags for $25 each *note: they are 1000lbs each so you'll need something big to carry them.

My run is 64 sq ft and 2 bags or .66 cubic yards (2000lbs) worked perfect. But mine ranges from 4"-6" deep.

 

[Zahboo]

Thanks. I'll call around some landscaping places. Thanks.