Sand Run

[k625]

Oh ok, I see. I am out in newberry and I really dont know where to look to find out what the scoop is. My neighbors would never complain, so how do these people find out...drive by's? lol. At least you got to keep your chickens! yay. We just moved to the area here (my mom and I) what is there to do really around here on the weekends and stuff?

 

[Poison Ivy]

I've had a sand run for 6 years and I love it. The only time it has ever smelled is when it rained everyday for about a week. But as soon as it quit it was back dry and no smell.

 

[JaciesCoop]

The sand is so easy to care for and the chickens LOVE IT!! Makes for a great dust bath.
I use the "Play Sand"
Hubby put 2 fresh bags in the run today and all the gals spent the day "dusting"

 

[TheKidAndDame]

Quote:
Here is the link to your city ordinances. There is not much mention of poultry except in reference to slaughterhouses.

 

[k625]

Thank you, for some reason I dont see the link..I might be blind? Could you please send again.

 

[TheKidAndDame]

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=13872&sid=9

Let's try this again

 

[ivan3]

Like 5azsisters, we use `Play' sand (larger grained - doesn't stick to everything with the same tenacity as the finer grained sand when wet - drains faster).

We use it in the runs and as the base over plywood floors in both chicken coop and turkey shed. We just keep adding a couple hundred pounds on the high side of the runs every couple of months and all the little feet spread it around. If you have a `mud' season plenty of sand will mitigate the slop (really appreciate it if you have turkeys). So much cleaner and mold/fungus can't get a grip.

 

[Billina]

I am just starting out and this sounds very interesting. I live in So Cal and my 6 week olds have been spending days in a temp pen that is just grass and dirt while I try to come up with a plan for good fencing and finish the hen house. I have been washing/watering the area every few days in an effort to "clean," but have otherwise done nothing. The area is about 25' x 6' and there are bougainvilleas and an orange tree along the edges within the run area.

Will the chicken poop hurt my orange tree and other plants?
The sprinklers run 2 - 3 times per week in the wee hours, is the damp ground a problem for the chickens?
If I go with sand, do you also add straw?
Do cats use the sand as a litter box???

I have noticed a lot of flies (though no odor yet) and I've begun to worry that the neighbors will complain, hell, I'm complaining!

 

[Patch&Phoebe]

I have a coop odor issue I've been trying to mitigate, my ladies are 19 weeks today. It has really become a problem in the past 10-14 days and I have to find a solution b/c I am in the middle of a little town and we have a public path on the side of our yard. The sand run seems like a great idea, but being in CA our weather pattern is it starts raining anywhere from Dec-Jan and then doesn't stop until Mar-April and then dry until next winter. Can the sand run take that much rain? Also, is there a special rake for the sand? Best way to scoop the poop? Any gravel under the sand or just play sand on top of our now hard dirt floor? Thanks All!!

 

[greginshasta]

Patch&Phoebe :

ICan the sand run take that much rain? Also, is there a special rake for the sand? Best way to scoop the poop?

I think it is safe to say that the characteristic of sand is that it drains quickly.

I read about the "wonder fork" and purchased one yesterday when I spotted it at the Grange Co-op.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?PGGUID=30e073e9-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5​