Sand Sifters can I see pics??

[elmo]

Here's mine:

It's a reptile litter scoop taped to a long handle so I don't have to bend over. I just go around the run and scoop up the droppings and flick them into this pan:

http://www.petco.com/product/104243/PETCO-Scoop-and-Rake-with-Wood-Handles.aspx

Then the contents of the pan goes straight into the composter in back of the coop.

I use the rake and pan to clean up our dog's poos in the yard because if I don't, somehow I always manage to step right in them.

I hang these tools on nails on the back of the coop so they're right there and handy.

 

[Doormantnt]

Bout the only time I scoop my sand run is when it starts to get compacted. I usually keep it raked and the mystery of the disappearing poop still puzzles me.

But when it gets packed I hoe it into a bucket with the bottom cut out and hardware cloth bolted to the bottom on inside. then shake. it catches the bulk of it, and feathers and what ever rocks are around. Plus it loosens up the sand, thru hoeing, and "fluffing" thru sifting.

TNT

 

[Yetti]

I have only had sand for a week now and its working out well. the majority of large poops from my ducks stay on top. since they eat so much mud in their diet they seem to have a bunch of the disappearing kind to. its all good. I rake it out and shovel the pile of lumps into the chipmunk holes in my yard.

 

[geekgurl]

Funny you should ask this because I just made mine yesterday. I used a jigsaw to cut out all but a 1 1/2 inch trim in the bottom of a plastic bucket. Then I cut a circle of 1/4 inch hardware cloth and fastened that to the bottom of the bucket with lathe screws. All I had to do is shovel a couple loads of sand in, grab the sides of the bucket and pan for gold!

I also have a pool net that I use to sift the area around the feeder. That way I can sift out the feed that they drop.
Cheers,
Melissa

 

[dbounds10]

I have not scooped mine yet and they have been in there for over a month. It does not smell and never seems to build up. What I do do (so to speak) is rake it to fluff and if it gets really packed in I take the roto tiller to it. I also have sand inside the coop which I LOVE! I clean it every day and it takes less than 5 minutes. I used this:

http://goliathscoop.com/index.html

 

[Tikkijane]

What kind of sand? Looks like in the pic regular builder's sand, but some say to use play sand?? I don't know if it's worth the extra $$?

 

[chickengal30]

Quote:
Wow,

how totally awsome!!!
Im new to chicken keeping and Ive got my four girls who are eleven weeks old,

in a run and coop filled with play sand($14 for half a yard) and Ive been useing a kitty litter scoop duct taped to a stick, then tip the poop in a metal bucket with a lid, and it works great, but your invention would speed things up.....Bravo!!

 

[PoppiesChicks]

I love, love, love my sand!!! I have sand in the coop and run and I wouldn't do it any other way. I had wood shavings in my brooder and that smelled funky. I didn't want to try it with 15 chickens. I scoop the big poops with a kitty litter scoop in the morning when I let them out and throw some Sweet PDZ on. It takes 5 min and no smell. I have an 8x20 run and I scoop the big poops and just rake it to stop it from getting compacted. My kids love to scoop poop and rake. It's a way to hang with the chickens and teach the kids work can be fun. I haven't found a con yet with sand but I'm sure there's something.
Good Luck!!

 

[chezpoulet]

OK I guess I am obsessive/compulsive compared to the rest of you! I use a colander and a fish fryer taped to a dowel to scoop and sieve- EVERYDAY! Maybe I should just hold myself back and see if the poop does actually magically disappear from my sand run!

 

[Heathero617]

Have had sand in mine for a week now, i have gone out for my daily "duty" of scoopin the poop and there has really not been much to scoop...I thought I was "the chosen one" to get an entire small flock of non-pooping birds!!!! I guess i'm not special after all >dirtkick<