Sand in the run?

[LittleRedCoop]

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Wow, that sounds like an excellent system! Thank you for sharing, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

 

[LisaAnnW]

DE is diatomaceous earth - it's used for parasite control. We just put a yard of fresh sand in our two runs (10'x10' & 10'x5') today. Both have a thick layer of gravel for a base. When the sand gets smelly we rake out the old and add fresh (every six months or so).

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What is DE? And is there a special kind of lime to use? Powder/Pellets? I once read that lime burns their feet. Have you had this problem?
I apologize for all of the questions. I am new to all of this and I am just trying to learn as much as I can!

 

[mtnhens4]

DE;Diatomaceous Earth is a mineral compound that aids in keeping parasites at bay. Use food grade since they will eat it. I use it everywhere in the coop, nesting boxes,the run and they're dust bathing box. I get mine from a green house/nursery that specializes in chickens and their needs.
Our run is just dirt( it use to be grass:/) but it is covered so it seldom gets muddy so smelly. I rake the poo most days but have gone a week now and then. We have thought about putting sand in the run but will probably wait until next spring.
We have shavings in our coop and I've heard that it keeps the coop warmer in the winter so I'll just add some more for a 4-6 inch base. We use a droppings board under the roost so the shavings and coop stay pretty clean and it only takes a few min. to scrape off the poo into a bucket and into the compost it goes
I hope this helps. I have found everyone so helpful on the site that it feels good to pass something on:yiipchick

 

[SteveBaz]

Like this restaurant dirty dish cart tub, filled with sand and laced with DE. It is 18"X24" works great

 

[yellowirenut]

I just completed putting sand in my run last weekend. HUGE improvement in both drainage (it rained all week) and in poop control. It no longer just sits on top the clay soil to stink. ever few days i go in an rake it out to mix it up a bit and sprinkle some DE in.

 

[Tambo26]

USE SAND! I have two sections of my run, one is 4X8 and totally sand, the other is probably 8X10ish and I just recently put sand in half of that. I have gravel under the 4X8 section and just the ground under the other. It is so GREAT! I use a kitty litter scoop daily to take care of all of the visible poo and then once a week I screen most of it to get rid of the little broken up pieces of poo and food and whatever else is in there. I use DE also. There is no chicken poo smell. I would recommend sand to EVERYONE! 1/2 of the 4X8 run is still bare ground because I wanted them to have a different type of area to scratch around in and their dust bath is over there. Plus with the sand... every morning I throw in a scratch mix and I kick it around in the sand so they actually have to scratch around and find it! Keeps them busy!

 

[ChickenAl]

Our 4'x8' run took about four or five bags (60lbs ea.) to get a moderate covering of sand. I also mix in some pine shavings on top of that.

Our run is covered but water finds its way in. It will stink when wet but as soon as it dries it is fine. I also put a little DE in there. No lime, yet.

 

[HogbackMtnChickns]

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I'm glad to hear the success you've had! How deep do you have the sand, approximately? 4 inches? 8? More?

We have 6 inches of sand in the run, 3-4" in the coop. I have also added some "Stall Dry" in the coop. I found that at Murdochs Supply. It is an additive intended to be used in horse stalls but supposedly safe for chickens too.

 

[LittleRedCoop]

Thank you everybody!! When I get some extra cash and some spare time, I'll go pick up some sand...maybe gravel too! I never anticipated owning chickens would be this exciting.

I got a new egg basket the other day, and couldn't stop smiling! I suppose thats why they say its the little things in life that mean the most. Unless I'm just easily amused!

 

[ll]

its the little things in life that mean the most.

^truth​