Sand ok for winter coop floor?

[swamy]

Quote:
That's a great idea....maybe just split the coop in half with a 2x6 on edge, fill one half up with shavings, the other leave as sand. I could observe the birds and see what they prefer.

 

[wyododge]

If your coop stays dry, the sand should stay the same temp as the earth, maybe a bit colder. That is a HUGE heat sink under it. It works both ways too. The heat from the earth will come up through the sand as well.

Dividing it is a very interesting experiment though, as long as it is ok if your sand gets contaminated with pine shavings, they will get kicked around quite a bit, especially if they are not used to them.

BTW, we use pine shavings.

As far as being cold on the chickens feet, I am fairly sure that even if the sand were soaked and completely frozen, it will be the same temp as the ground outside where they are walking around. Wild birds walk on snow and ice all winter, there can't be that much difference between wild chicken and domestic chicken feet.

 

[Pharm Girl]

We have mild winters, but sand still gets cold. I love how it dries out the poop and protects the floor. If you're talking inside, I actually put straw over sand. The reason is, their poop still gets dehydrated by the sand, but sticks to the hay. Every two or three weeks, I just take a yard rake and rake off the straw, leaving the sand, then toss another pile of straw on top. It's so easy and they stay warmer on the straw than just sand alone. It works well for me in the covered areas.
I only have a pic of my old coop, but same idea. I put it in the covered run too. Takes two minutes to rake off and dump in the compost pile.