Sand

[Isabella_animale]

Is this sand safe for the run?

 

[Jack3291]

Im not sure but do you have a TSC nearby?

 

[Isabella_animale]

Im not sure but do you have a TSC nearby?

Close enough that I get stuff from there.

 

[Jack3291]

Well I'm pretty sure that they have play sand that is usable

 

[aart]

Mason sand is probably better than play sand....less dust, coarser grains.

Tho sand is not the best run bedding.

 

[mommiesrcool]

Well I'm pretty sure that they have play sand that is usable

I personally don't like play sand I like to use All-purpose sand but I use sand as bedding so Idk if it'll be different

 

[MissMonty]

This is what I used when we tried out sand. Its a coarse sand so not quite a fine gravel but coarser than normal sand. It clumps up pretty bad and packs down so I'm not sure sand is the best option for what you're looking for.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Safe? Yes. Recommended? I wouldn't.

Sand, coarse grained or not, has a tendency to fill with chicken shit, which then can become hard like concrete, at which point it almost completely stops draining well. Worse, wet chicken shit in sand is a terrible odor, there's nothing there to accelerate break down, or to do so in a way that tends to neutralize some of the more offensive compounds.

It can be done, indeed many do it successfully, just requires more maintenance than I am willing to put into it.

Much fonder of deep litter methods, which cold compost, much less maintenance (and odor) if your situation allows it.

 

[Chris2018]

Sand (Coarse Sand not Play Sand) is the only thing I use in my coops and never had a problem with it.

 

[K0k0shka]

Sand (Coarse Sand not Play Sand) is the only thing I use in my coops and never had a problem with it.

OP is asking about the run, not the coop. Different story.

I wouldn't use sand (of any kind) in the run, for the reasons that U_Stormcrow has described. I use deep litter with lots of wood chips, fall leaves, grass clippings and other plant material and never clean it out. It doesn't smell or get muddy or compacted. It composts in place and turns into a rich soil.