Stinky sandpit bathers!

[drawlins]

My two buff Orpingtons are sadly locked in their coop and run rather than free ranging because here in the uk we have to lock them up by law due to a nationwide bird flu outbreak.

So they’re spending more time in the sandpit... or should I say about 90% of their time! They’re swimming, flicking, lying low and generally loving it - and of course POOPING.

And I try to stay on top of cleaning the sand but inevitably it gets a bit stinky. Is this an issue and does anyone have a way of cleaning/sterilising the sand? I change it every three weeks or so with 25kg of fresh dry kids play sand.

The rest of the run is hardwood chip which they love to scratch but nothing beats sitting in the sandpit all day! I wish I was a chicken.

 

[aart]

And I try to stay on top of cleaning the sand but inevitably it gets a bit stinky. Is this an issue and does anyone have a way of cleaning/sterilising the sand? I change it every three weeks or so with 25kg of fresh dry kids play sand.

UHG! Changing out that much sand that often would be a PITA!
Is the sand wet/damp?
Keeping the sand dry would help with the stink for sure.
Can you just rake most the poops out into the wood chips?
Some pics of the situation might help garner viable solutions here.

 

[CHlCKEN]

My chickens won’t dust bathe in my sand I have just for them, and the only places they do, is the loose dirt piles around a certain tree, around the barn, and against the house.

 

[aart]

My chickens won’t dust bathe in my sand I have just for them, and the only places they do, is the loose dirt piles around a certain tree, around the barn, and against the house.

Their birds are confined to the run because......

here in the uk we have to lock them up by law due to a nationwide bird flu outbreak.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Their birds are confined to the run because......

Well that wasn’t my point. Mine are usually in their run but are out a few hours a day. I was only curious as to how they get their bird to use the sand. I’ve given up at this point.

 

[aart]

I was only curious as to how they get their bird to use the sand.

Probably their only option.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Probably their only option.

I suppose that makes sense. My question might be stupid. In the end, I spent money on sand and it unfortunately was not a hit.