Sand in the coop

[aoxa]

Okay well i'm going to disagree there, first of all it wont be shinning in the coop at all and second if you think about it when you dig in the sand it's cooler underneath and chickens like to take dust baths in it so I think it would be good and everyone who i've seen talking about sand in the coop says it's cooler in the summer.

If the coop doesn't have big windows that shine sunlight into it - it would be cooler. If sun hits it, I imagine it is going to be hot.

 

[amillecay]

I would think so but we are still planning the coop and we could put the windows anywhere and the spot that the coop will be in, doesn't get to much sun, the run will but not the coop.

 

[aoxa]

I would think so but we are still planning the coop and we could put the windows anywhere and the spot that the coop will be in, doesn't get to much sun, the run will but not the coop. 

You should be fine then

 

[Malibu99]

In my personal experience, sand is MUCH better. I used to use straw, and the poo would get stuck to the floor no matter how often I cleaned it. I switched to sand, and it no longer smells horrible and is easier to clean. My chickens' feet are clean too, which is important to me (I have them on my shoulder a lot). Plus, when they scratch the sand out of the coop and into the run, it doesn't look as bad as the straw did. Overall? I love it. :3

 

[Missa Chickabee]

Sand in the run but not in the coop. I would think sand would be really messy and damp in the coop.

I did a TON of research online including this forum of the "old timers" who all nearly 100% recommended shavings in the coop and sand in the run. We have a truck and loaded sand in by the ton. After two trips our run was complete and I am extremely happy with the results.

If you have a small enough coop, I would recommend building a poop board to sit under their roost(s). I put a thin layer of shavings on the board and deep litter the floor of my coop. I dump the poop board contents onto my compost pile about once every month and replenish the shavings (sprinkled with a touch of Diatomaceous Earth for absorption and odor). There is almost no poop in my entire coop floor with this method. When I dump the poop board I take my rake and fluff the coop floor shavings. It takes me about 10-15 minutes total for the entire thing.

I also go out and rake the sand to pick up the big pieces (not much) and "fluff" the sand to help with breakdown. The sand dries very quickly after it rains (although I also have a roof over my run) along the edges, the chickens love to scratch and dust bathe in it, and it provides them grit. We bought "playground" type sand. Not too fine- you don't want sugar sand which is way too fine and clumps. I read some places to dig down and put larger stones on the bottom then cover with sand for drainage, however I would think that would be a pain in the ***. Eventually the bigger rocks work their way up to the top and then it would be frustrating to rake through that.

Here's a write up on my coop:
http://www.theindependentant.blogspot.com/2012/08/clucking-aroundchicken-update.html

click on side links for earlier updates. I didn't write up the sand yet.

This sounds like a really good system. I've been "remodelling" coop since it was built this spring. Like you I have sand outside, pine shavings inside (mixed with DE) and poop boards. But I have PDZ in the poops board/boxes under the roost . It has been just the ticket for me with cleaning the coop. This creates more space in the coop.
I use a kitty litter scoop under the coop and in the sand.

Check out the cool thread, too: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/621363/poop-board-convert-warning-graphic-gross-poop-pictures

 

[mpare]

This summer I used sand in the run and also inside the coop. I have a poop board under the roost in the coop that I sprinkle with sweet pdz ( in the old parmesan cheese container) and scrape off daily. This system has been easy and has kept things clean and dry. This winter I am considering leaving the sand inside the coop, but covering it with a layer of pine shavings for warmth. I am hoping the sand, being heavier, will stay on the bottom and continue to protect the floor. My plan is to rake out and replace the top layer of shavings occasionally to clean the coop. In the spring everything will be put into the compost pile and I will start all over with fresh sand

Of course my 3 chickens might just mix everything together, but they have a space outside in their covered run that they use as a dust bath. Last winter they used the coop just to sleep in and lay their eggs. Has anyone tried this?