Sand in the run

[GLBRWyans]

I am going to use sand in the coop area . What to get , kid's play sand , concrete sand ...???.... they won't overdose on it , if they eat it for grit will they ?

 

[bryan99705]

I use plain old quarry sand and do just fine. They will pick some but just what they need and won't confuse it with feed. Makes clean up a breeze with sand, a leaf rake, and a kitty litter scoop, huh

 

[MrJesse34]

Quote:
I bought it by the bag. They had play sand, and also other cheaper generic sand. I used both. No difference as far as I can tell and no issues with the chickens at all.

 

[GLBRWyans]

Quote:
I bought it by the bag. They had play sand, and also other cheaper generic sand. I used both. No difference as far as I can tell and no issues with the chickens at all.

Thanks to you all for the response .

 

[sassifrassi]

Quick question for those using sand...
My chicks are six weeks old. Will their poop get bigger? I am finding that their poop falls through the cat litter scoop and a rake is usless to pick up their small poops. I have had to tape some window screening to the cat litter scoop for it to be effective but it makes clean-up that much more tedious.

PS - I've never had chickens before therefore the question.
Thanks!

 

[BlueBetween]

Quote:
I've been wondering the same thing - the cat scoop is a PITA! But maybe they will grow into it. We got a reptile scoop too, but it's too fine for the grit sized pebbles I put in there. Still trying to figure it all out.

 

[Crazy4mypeeps]

Yes, their poo will get bigger and easier to pick up with the litter scoop. I have some that poo piles as big as their eggs. LOL

 

[BlueBetween]

Quote:
oh, good times. something to look forward to

 

[Tikkijane]

Quote:
oh, good times. something to look forward to

We're now on round 2 for the tractor, although this one may be too big to move around.

So, I am definitely thinking sand in the run and inside, to help with smell, etc.

Do y'all have a lot of wind? We have a lot of wind. And I do mean *a lot*. Like, hurricane force winds, dust storms and brown sky. We often say we have two seasons- windy and hot and windy.

It's nothing to get sand blasted outside, literally.

My biggest concern is if this is all going to blow around and be a problem. I'm thinking I can water it down to help on the really bad days, and inside won't be a problem. But I'd hate to put all that down, lose it the next day and give my neighbors a really great, free sandbox. Anyone have experience with sand and a lot of wind?

Tikki