Love sand!. I use it in our 10' x 40' run, and the coop. So easy to clean. I couldn't afford a truck load of it either, so I went into it gradually. I get a 50lbs bag of play sand for just under $4 at Home Depot. After I was able to get a decent amount down, I just add a couple bags here and there, as needed. Really keeps smell, and all the other yuck, down. I use a poop board in my coop, but I also have a duck and Silkies, so poop does find its way around the coop, lol.