Sifter Size For Coop Cleaning

[thisjed]

I'm planning to use sand as the flooring for my run. I'm going to purchase a sifter that sits in a 5 gallon bucket for cleaning out the droppings and any other unwanted items. Being completely new to chickens though, I'm unsure what size sifter to buy. They come in 1/4 inch screening and 1/8 inch screening. Both should let sand through - the larger a bit easier. I don't know what size chicken droppings are though (again, new to chickens). Can someone recommend one size over the other? Thx!

 

[PorchChickens]

I'd say get the 1/8". Chicken poops tend to break apart when they get rolled around in the sand (the solid ones do anyway). I use sand in my coop and even though I clean it every morning, the hens manage to trample some of the larger pieces into smaller ones. 1/8" should get most of them easily.

 

[thisjed]

Perfect, thx!!!

 

[aart]

Even 1/8" can be too big, especially when they are young.

Grab one of those mesh organizer baskets, works great for me,
but even that can be too big of holes for chicks poops.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...raphic-gross-poop-pictures/1100#post_13179595