sand vs. deep litter - which is best for my situation?

[lizgarf]

Lots of good ideas coming through, thanks for the responses! I just finished my coop yesterday and moved the pullets into their new home. They're super happy. I've included a couple pictures below. I used all recycled material except for the wire and the fasteners, and built it into the structure of my deck. About 20 hours of work for 2 people, and under $150!

I wound up putting some sand in, but I think I'll mostly do bedding and deep litter. There are lots of grassy weeds on my property, so I bet I could use them as bedding, instead of straw or chips or coconut coir. I also have some oak chips from a gorgeous giant oak that fell this spring I should put in there. Sounds like oak chips have worked for some? Not too moldy?

Isaviti: I did not put a separate enclosure into my coop because we don't get too hot or too cold here, and the coop is very protected. I'll see if they seem cold in the winter, but it seems like a good way to go if you don't have to keep them warm. No need to let them out in the morning, and plenty of ventilation.






Cat guarding the hen house. Hmmm.

 

[TexasLea]

I like that! Thank you for posting the pictures. It does look well protecteded from any wind and rain. Although, will the end where that drain spout is flood? Is that where you put the sand?

I'm sure with a little experimenting you will find what works best in the run for both the birds and you. The chickens will soon change the way the ground is in there too. They move dirt like little bulldozers with all their pecking and scratching. I can almost see them wallowing out the dust bath holes in those sunny spots between the boards.

Have fun watching them. I bet with a long area like that you will be able to really have fun with them. I would love to be on one end of that thing with a really good treat, like a worm. Then I'd toss it to them once I had all the birds attention. You could take bets on who would end up with it and how far down that run the keep away game would go.

That's a pretty kitty too!

 

[lizgarf]

I did put sand in the downhill end. It's hard to see in the picture, but the whole thing is a few feet above the paths (where the drainspout empties out) , with the narrow part of the run built above a stack of railroad ties. So I don't think flooding will be an issue. I'm also going to experiment with making some gutters out of split .5 inch irrigation tubes between the deck boards in the winter. It can rain a lot here, but there are actually two decks above the area where the roosts are, so at least that area will stay dry.

And they've already done a lot of dust bathing! Very cute.

The pretty kitty is 17 and now the only male in a family of 9! (me, another cat, a dog, and now 5 chickens). Funny how that works out.

 

[joan1708]

I see sunlight between the boards. So it doesn't seem that "rain protected" to me. Also looks like vermin could get in between the slats of the deck. Sand would probably work best in this situation. Deep litter hold more moisture. Are you sure your not going to have wet chickens when it rains?

 

[lizgarf]

Joan, as I said in the last post, I'm still working on some gutter ideas between the slats, and there are parts of the coop that are definitely dry. It's the dry season here now, so I have lots of time to work something out.

 

[TexasLea]

I think the split pipe idea is pretty smart. If you didn't want to put anything above on your deck though, you could always nail up some tin or something on the bottom. I'm sure the rain would roll off of that and by the time the first rainy season was over maybe it wouldn't be shining too bright between the slats from above when the sun hit it.

 

[PAChickenChick2]

Just my opinion here...

But I think you'll like the sand best. For one lets talk about what you've already seen. The chickens have no way to actually bathe. They deal with dirt and pests by rolling around in dirt of some sort..which they can then shake off with the hopes of catching pests and clumps of filth along with it. So in that case alone your chickens should always have access to some sort of grainy stuff..lol. (though it could be just plain old dirt)

Sand is also soft and while it will get compacted over time...it takes a while...so sand is very good on chicken's feet. Shavings would be soft on feet too...but...loses out on the compact issue, as it will compact faster.

One of the biggest differences (especially in a set up like yours) is going to be how the floor deals with getting wet and moisture. Sand can hold alot of moisture and resist getting moldy for a longer time than shavings or straw. Mold is an enemy of chickens health. I use sand inside my coop (yes, different set up than yours...but) I do not sift for poo ever. In my case I change the sand completely once every six months. (that is in a 4x5 coop holding 6 full size hens) On the day I am changing the sand I can still have my whole head inside the coop and not be offended in the least. I have thrown all types of food inside the coop..and it has never caused an issue if not totally eaten because it usually gets covered with sand and winds up drying out. However, that being said I will say that right where my waterer is the ground would be constantly damp (not a puddle..just damp sand) When I change out the sand I have white fungus (like the good fungus you see in a compost heap) on the bottom layer of the sand. It doesn't affect the chickens though because that area of sand compacts faster than the others so the fungus never gets touched by the chickens. I throw my "used" sand into a compost heap that sits for a year. (I turn it once ever six months or if I'm bored) I have clay soil...so the sand actually helps my soil become more workable.

Another plus on sand is that if the chickens eat it (which they will) it is fine because it only helps them with digestion. If they eat shavings or straw in could get stuck in their craw and then you might lose your chicken. (a member here actually posted surgery pics she did on her hen...who survived....as vets that service chickens are rare to some areas)

If I am understanding your set up correctly..you basically just fenced in the underside of your deck and added some roosts, nest boxes...ect. In my opinion...I would prolly just let the ground that is there work for you...filling in any holes or super wet spots with sand...and using grass clippings as you mow. Rake the whole ground once a week to get rid of poo and hopefully keep down smell. But I think if you use shavings you'll find they become a wet mess.

 

[AnimalQuackers]

Hi ladies and gentlemen!

I have a question about the sand:

I read on another website this weekend that sand can harbor e. coli. The woman who runs the site says she would never and does not recommend using sand. Sand had been what we planned on using.

Now I am having second thoughts...

We live in western Massachusetts, so we have hot, wet, HUMID summers and cold, snowy winters.

I am wondering if sand would work well in the summer, to help keep things cool, and the deep litter method would work better in the winter, to help keep things warmer.

Does anyone have any thought on this: alternating litter methods based on the season, and has anyone had any trouble with e. coli and sand?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Michelle in Massachusetts

 

[nab58]

hi Michelle,
I live in NW CT (grew up in Easthampton, MA). I'm new to chickens and haven't been through a winter with them yet. I'm using a mixture of sand & sweet PDZ on the floor of my coop and all PDZ in the poop tray. I sift through it daily and feel the coop is pretty clean. Originally, I had all sand on the floor and felt it was stinky and clumpy (had some leaks in the coop so it got a little wet). I like it a lot better since I mixed the PDZ with it. I don't think it harbors ecoli or anything unsanitary.
I'm thinking I will use hay or pine shavings in the coop and run in the winter. I haven't decided. I'm a little afraid of creating a fire hazard with hay and a light bulb. Maybe I'll just use hay in the run....I guess I'll make those decisions in the fall. Right now I'm anxiously awaiting my first egg!

 

[AnimalQuackers]

Hi Nab! I am thinking we may do what it sounds like you are thinking of doing: Sand in the summer and hay in the winter. We have to do whatever we can to keep cool in these hot summer days, huh? THANKS!