SAND!? :(

[Andriana]

Hi all! I love this site, have read SO much on here, and decided to finally create an account... especially because I am a new chicken mom to four 5 week old babes. I have a coop and run but am battling a dirt issue with the run floor. I live in sunny (and hot and humid) south Florida so "mud" isn't a big issue, but the dirt still gets pretty... dirty ()... and it bothers me having their little feet all black from it. I also read that dirt, specifically mud, can harbor diseases. I have read countless positive reviews about sand in the run, but I continuously have issues trying to figure out exactly WHICH TYPE to use. Living in the concrete jungle I do, there are really only two choices of places to buy sand--you guessed it: Home Depot and Lowes. I can only find play sand (too fine!), multi-purpose (medium coarse), and pavers sand (the most coarse; it does NOT harden aka no additive to turn it into concrete). I can't tell if any of these are "natural," but they do all, of course, have the silica disclaimer. But people swear by sand and say they've never had issues with it. Does anyone have ANY idea on which one I should choose out of the two (multipurpose or paver)? ANY helpful insight is appreciated. Thank you!!

 

[cavemanrich]

Choose the most course. I myself use the course sand available to me from the cement/sand distributor. The one I use is the course one for concrete.
WELCOME...

 

[jennyf]

At our Home Depot, the sand we buy isn't in the garden section, it's in the construction section (way on other side of store). Believe it's called construction sand. Had worked well for us! You just want to be sure there's no mortar in it.

 

[Andriana]

The ONLY sand I can get my hands on at HD or Lowe's is either multi purpose which is medium coarse, or pavers sand which is more coarse, but seems a bit dusty. There aren't any additives or polymer in it, but not sure what to do. There is no "construction" or "river" sand in sight. I bought the multi-purpose by now and it's great, but I keep worrying about their respiratory system, as I've read some conflicting feelings on sand regarding this. Especially since it isn't super coarse. Not fine, but not much of a variation in size...

 

[cavemanrich]

That sand will be fine. In time the fine particles will wash down into the bottom and you should not experience very much dust. Have you thought about how chickens dust themselves in dry dirt and ash, (with plenty of dust) and still live to enjoy life.