Sand in the run?

[Christine S]

Hello all!

I've been reading that sand is a good choice for inside the run. I'm currently using wood chips. Any one have any opinions they'd care to share?

Thanks!

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I'm in Alabama and it is too wet here for the wood chips. They never dry out enough throughout the winter and the chickens are always in the wet. I have found that the sand--if it's deep enough--promotes drainage and the chickens stay much drier.

HTH


Rusty

 

[CityChook]

Wood chips will eventually get moldy. I use sand in the run and love it. The poo just disappears. About twice a year I rake it out and that's it.

 

[tri-5-ron]

Disappearing Poo ?!?!?!?!
I may need to start using sand all over the place!

 

[Christine S]

I do have to change the chips every couple of weeks....I think I'll give the sand a go. Thanks!

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Another advantage to the sand is the girls LOVE to take baths in it...

 

[El Naked Neck]

Quote:
i just love that avatar.

oh yes about sand,it works fine and when i put 7 dust in there the girls just love it couse is always dry.

 

[cobrien]

I have had sand in my covered run for about 6 months and before this I always had a bare dirt run with occasional straw, mulch or wood chips if it got muddy. Chicken maintenance is sooo much easier with the sand run. I have so many less flies now because it stays totally dry. It is easy to harvest chicken poop from the run for my garden / compost. It's like a giant kitty litter box, I just scoop out the poop. Totally easy to clean!

I add occasional stall dry and DE to further help with the flies.

My chickens have designated one corner of the run as their bathing area, and they seem to keep it very clean. I put extra DE in this spot to help them manage mites, etc.

 

[stux2c]

What is DE?

 

[Nava]

Diatomaceous Earth