Sand in the run?

[MamaJohnson]

Quote:
So far no smell or flies... not yet anyway. But summer's just beginning!

 

[Jenski]

I started with sand in my third pen, one I keep for feather-foot bantams. It was so easy to clean and it drained so well that I dug out the other two pens and redid them with a load of sand too.

I only have +- 2 dozen chickens right now, so I am able to scoop out all the pens every day. I just use a cat litter scoop/whisk broom/old bucket - - only takes a few minutes, keeps the flies down, keeps the smell down, keeps feather feet clean, lowers cocci rate, minimizes worm issues, lets me observe droppings for possible problems, keeps me out of trouble.

The only down (?) side to sand is that it's BORING to chickens, except for the dust bathing. I toss out trimmed tree branches with leaves, clipped herbs, and garden greens for them to scratch through and they enjoy that much better than a dry desert.

Hope that helps. I'll go home and try to snap a few pics of my pen.

 

[BUMPKIN]

I started with grass which immediately went to dirt. When I added more runs I did them in sand; that works so well I shoveled out the old run and covered it with sand( several inches deep). Now at least every two weeks(try to do it every week) the runs are raked and poop is picked up with a shovel and added to garden. Believe me it makes for some wonderful garden soil!

 

[MamaJohnson]

I've learned to trust the advice given here! I'm still fairly new at the chicken bizness, and value every bit of good advice. Thank you all! **sigh** Gonna have to come up with a good one to convince DH to help me

I already cashed in on Mother's day, birthdays for next 10 years... hmmm...

 

[greenpeeps]

I just put sand in my run this morning and I'm so happy that I did.

:/The smell from the run was horrible and I had read on here that sand would help with tons of problems. I dug out the top 3-4 " of dirt and poop. I used 8 - 50lb bags of sand, the cheap stuff, not play sand, and spread it through out the run. To my delight The girls love it. They haven't left the run execpt for once, and the smell is gone. It was well worth the 25 bucks.

Good Luck!

 

[trilyn]

So..what kind of sand-contractor grade or play sand. I'm looking for the most economical and safe way to go!

 

[sangel4you]

trilyn, i'd like to know that too!!!

Also, my run isnt big as it is indoors and I am taking the straw and shavings out of my two portions of my run and filling it with sand. Can someone who used bags of sand tell me how many of the 50lb bags of sand I need for approx 62 sq feet? And I know they have the play sand at walmart, do they have construction sand there as well if thats the better type?

 

[consdrs]

I already cashed in on Mother's day, birthdays for next 10 years... hmmm...

You forgot Christmas, and only 10 years? I'm impressed I'm into it for the next 50....

I paid 11 dollars for a half yard of sand and it was worth every penny...

edited to add... don't forget sand is HEAVY in a car. its much easier and cheaper to get or borrow a truck and get a yard or so at a landscape place where they sell bark dust and gravel. I would put down a couple of inches. here is a link to calculating how much sand you will need

http://www.markdavistrucking.com/sandpage.htm

Connie​

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

We put new sand in our coops when we clean it out and till up the dirt. I just get mine from the ditches on our dirtroad.

 

[MamaJohnson]

=consdrs You forgot Christmas, and only 10 years? I'm impressed I'm into it for the next 50....


http://www.markdavistrucking.com/sandpage.htm

Connie

lol I swear, with all the work he does for me, even 50 years wouldn't be enough to pay him back! Good thing he works for kisses too!

What would be do without our DHs?

They deserve a lot of credit (and maybe an occasional good massage!)

By the way, I found a lady on craigslist selling 4 60 lb. tubes of traction sand for just $3 each, and another lady with a big pile in her backyard free to anyone who was willing to haul it away. Maybe a tip of a good place to look for others who are also looking for affordable sand?​