To sand or not to sand????

[wowmanacat]

I get my DE at the health food store and some of them will get 50# bags for you.

 

[carladababe]

Where do you dispose of the used sand? And how often to you have to replace with fresh?

 

[wowmanacat]

I would just rake out to poos and put them in a compost pile that all the poos go in. When it is time to replace all the sand I will just spread it all round the yard to help with drainage since I am on a very rocky area and you really can dig anyplace without hitting at least 50 rocks in one scoop or earth that is if you can get the shovel into the ground at all.

 

[wbruder17]

I tried several things...mulch (no good) gravel (better) and finally ended up with a sand/ pumice/ gravel mixture that is GREAT!

 

[Inkheart]

Ok the funny thing is I went ahead and sanded the run - now they wont come out and walk on it! Anyone else have issue with that? I am assuming they will get used to it and walk on it LOL - great!

 

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
Mine do the same thing every time there is fresh sand.

It's HILARIOUS to watch!

Often a little scratch helps overcome their inhibitions....


I love watching them all crowd on the ramp, and then one bird gets knocked off and the resulting panic causes others to get knocked off the ramp, and finally everyone is back on the ramp, all huddled up, acting like the sky is about to fall or something

 

[Inkheart]

Thank you ok - i did put some scratch out there - no luck - i feel horrible - but did assume that they would adjsut -

 

[wegotchickens]

They will adjust. It takes a day or so, and then some bold chicken gets bored and decides to step on the white stuff. Once a bird besmirches the sand they all get more comfortable with it.

When they take those luxurious sand-baths you won't feel so horrible!


One time we left dark patches here and there and they jumped from place to place like they were stepping stones over a stream.

 

[Inkheart]

That is hysterical. Bad part is the rooster is such a wimp - he doesnt like mud - he doesnt like wet - he is very picky about what he allows his precious feet to step in! LOL .

 

[wegotchickens]

I'll bet your birds don't like snow, either. Especially the rooster!


Our d'Uccles can fly, and if I open the run to let them free-range they will fly from the pop door to the outside in order to avoid stepping on the new sand. The silkies are so dumb they don't notice the new sand at all.

If you have time to play, put a board in there close enough for them to jump onto and maybe you can get pics of your birds 'walking the plank'...