Sand?

[BawkinOnTheBench]

I notice no one mentions sand as bedding. When I was a kid we had chickens and we used sand. I'm using it now, and it seems to work great. Once a week I go through both sides of the coop with a kids sand rake and sifter. I get out pure, completely dried poop. It takes me maybe 15-20 minutes, and I get maybe 2 inches in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket. My coop is pretty new - 6 chickens in a 4x8 coop, half raised run, half enclosed coop, with access to a bigger 12x6 run and evenings out - but there is absolutely no smell at all. It's very dusty to clean it, but other than that I don't notice excessive dust. I get playsand from Walmart - it's 4.98 for a bag and I think we started with 4-5 of them.

Anybody know any good reasons NOT to use sand? Obviously it's heavier so you can't get it near as deep.

 

[silkiechicken]

Sounds like it's working well for you! As long as it's not treated with junk and so on, it's even extra grit!

 

[ivan3]

We use the play sand, as well. Put down two inches in turkey shed and chicken coop, but use straw and pine chips over that. The sand works really well in the runs (easy to clean/good drainage/NO MUD/CLAY!!!).

 

[1acrefarm]

It works well as long as you stay on top of it. I was lazy and let it go too far. It does not help that I have goats using my sand along with the chickens and ducks.

 

[d.k]

* I plan to use it when we do a genuine coop.

 

[DawnSuiter]

I learned that "play sand" is not appropriate in terms of grit usage because it is NOT sharp. The sand is smooth & round which causes it to compact easily.. that's why it makes for good sandcastles! I've also noticed in my own "sandbox" experience, that mites or lice or sand fleas maybe thrive in this environment... course sand is NOT a friendly environment for those creatures.

I use construction sand.. it's very coarse and sharp, you do not want to walk barefoot on this stuff very fast, and it's full of different size pebbles as well. So far I love the sand, its' cool when it's hot outside & everything sits on top. I use a small rake for raking between veggie rows to skim the top, and shovel it into a five gallon bucket and add it to the compost.

Costs about $7 to fill the 99sf hen house, and I'm very happy with our choice.

No dust, no dust at all.

added: $20 or $25!! i just saw that you spent that much on sand! May i recommend finding a sand & gravel yard or construction company to point you in the right direction for bulk construction sand purposes? You've already spent more than I will for over an entire year!!! Keeping costs down is a priority of mine.

 

[theJH]

We use sand because our ground is sand. It works well. We live in the sandhills of nc so we do not have a choice.

 

[dixygirl]

I have used sand in my peafowl pen for years with great success. Either constuction sand or the coarse paver base sand are great! I have also used play sand and natural creek sand with great results. They all work just fine.

Decomposed granite, ground oyster shells are other options.

 

[LynneP]

We made a sand box for the pullets and we use play sand. They love it and with food-grade DE mixed in, they treat themselves for mites/lice/ticks.

 

[priszilla]

Funny I saw this post today- I have decided to switch to sand. I am trying to find a place to buy a truckload.I am hoping it won't be as hospitable to mice as shavings are.