Sand vs Shavings?

[IceStorm]

New chicken mom here!

I've been seeing lots of talk on FB about sand vs shavings, is sand a full replacement (on coop floor, on roosting shelf, etc)?

If so, how do you like it? Better or worse than shavings overall, easier to clean, less dusty, etc?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

I believe a lot depends on where you live. We're in Wisconsin, and we wouldn't use sand as it's cold and non-absorbent. We've used horse bedding pellets for a decade. In one coop, they get changed once a year. The breeder pens get changed every few months.

For poop boards, we use stall refresher (Sweet PDZ).

There are some here that use sand though so maybe they'll pipe in.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Your climate, personal preference for cleaning, availability, coop floor type, and the number and type of poultry should all be considered when choosing a bedding material.

I live in a wet temperate climate. Sand gets nasty really quickly here (I have it in their dust bath). Even if I cleaned out the solid poops regularly it would still stink. Sand is also not compostable so it doesn't break down the poops and I can't use it in the garden.

I like shavings but not for chickens - they are good for my ducks because of the absorbancy. I don't like shavings for chickens because 1) they are too expensive for how much I'd need for my chickens to have a soft landing area (several inches deep), 2) chickens kick them to the sides and leave bare spots, and 3) they take longer and are more difficult to clean out (because of all the small pieces that end up everywhere). For chickens I prefer straw (inside in a dry coop only).

I think it's best to test out the different kinds of coop bedding that is readily available to you and see what works best for you and your birds.

 

[Debbie292d]

Sand is also not compostable so it doesn't break down the poops and I can't use it in the garden.

I never remember to mention this! At least the horse bedding pellets break down, or as you mention, other beddings, at least are compostable. We put spent pellets/dry poop around trees, bushes, a bit in the gardens, and the rest in compost bins.