Using sand in chicken run.......yes or no?

[Ruby's Mom]

Hello everyone, I am in the process of building a new, fenced, netted chicken run. I chose sand for the majority of the ground area, which has part morning sun until about 12noon, then all shade. Most people on this site had positive things to say about using sand. After all that work of hauling and spreading, I have recently read on another site, that sand is a bad choice.

Who has thoughts on this? Should I mix in some top soil or similar and make it a bit more organic?

Thanks!

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I think sand is quite easy to clean, however it must be cleaned often. In our experience, the poop will clump and build up if both the run and coop aren't scooped daily. Otherwise, it keeps them clean and it looks nicer than dirt.

 

[mountain chicken1]

I just ordered 2500lbs of bulk sand to put in my coop it's easy to keep clean with a kiddie litter scoop duct taped to a broom handle, the down side is it should be changed out once a year a lot of work without a tractor. and to find a good dumping place for the old sand

 

[rosemarythyme]

Supposedly sand works better for arid or dry climates than wet, so take that into account. Also will the run be roofed?

 

[aart]

Most people on this site had positive things to say about using sand. After all that work of hauling and spreading, I have recently read on another site, that sand is a bad choice.

Welcome to BYC!
Most folks who like it haven't used it for a year or more yet.
It eventually becomes saturated with pulverized poop and stinks when damp.
Depending on your climate, the size of your run, the number of birds, and your willingness to change it out when needed...
.....it might, or might not, be a good choice for you.

I just ordered 2500lbs of bulk sand to put in my coop it's easy to keep clean with a kiddie litter scoop duct taped to a broom handle, the down side is it should be changed out once a year a lot of work without a tractor. and to find a good dumping place for the old sand

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for you honest and succinct post. How long have been using sand?

Could both of you add your general geographical location to your profile, please?

 

[Ruby's Mom]

I think sand is quite easy to clean, however it must be cleaned often. In our experience, the poop will clump and build up if both the run and coop aren't scooped daily. Otherwise, it keeps them clean and it looks nicer than dirt.

Thanks!

 

[Ruby's Mom]

Supposedly sand works better for arid or dry climates than wet, so take that into account. Also will the run be roofed?

50% roofed and the rest open but netted. I'm in Central Oregon, we are mostly dry, high desert here.

 

[Ruby's Mom]

Welcome to BYC!
Most folks who like it haven't used it for a year or more yet.
It eventually becomes saturated with pulverized poop and stinks when damp.
Depending on your climate, the size of your run, the number of birds, and your willingness to change it out when needed...
.....it might, or might not, be a good choice for you.


Welcome to BYC! Thanks for you honest and succinct post. How long have been using sand?

Could both of you add your general geographical location to your profile, please?
View attachment 1398084

I live in Central Oregon - high desert climate with little rain, but snow in the winter. The more I mull things over, the more it seems like I should remove maybe 1/2 of the sand, and fill back in with some sort of soil. More work, but good exercise.

 

[Ruby's Mom]

I just ordered 2500lbs of bulk sand to put in my coop it's easy to keep clean with a kiddie litter scoop duct taped to a broom handle, the down side is it should be changed out once a year a lot of work without a tractor. and to find a good dumping place for the old sand

Thanks for your input!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I live in Central Oregon - high desert climate with little rain, but snow in the winter. The more I mull things over, the more it seems like I should remove maybe 1/2 of the sand, and fill back in with some sort of soil. More work, but good exercise.

I would leave the sand as is and start a semi deep litter method on top. I added all the organic stuff... leaves, pine needles, old shaving or hay, grass clippings... I remove the poos still to the best of my ability every day. But there is no more stink when it rains and it doesn't get muddy.

I am in the PNW, we ONLY got 43 inches of rain so far this season! I have sand in my coop (washed river) and put some in my run. When it rained the edges of the run got soooo stinky so fast. When you remove the poo... the liquid still melted into your bedding and does not get removed.

Since I use droppings boards under my roosts, I still have the sand in my coop which does stay dry and my eggs are usually clean even when it's pouring. The dust that develops with sand is a major draw back and I feel the need to wear a mask if I am scooping it with the kitty litter thing as suggested by so many. I never change it out but I do add some fresh on occasion. Please note if you use sand on your droppings board, moisture soaks right through to the bottom.

I have had it more than a year... I would NOT choose sand as the only permanent base in my run... now I know it gets NASTY fast. And no microbes wanna live in it.

Again I am not doing full on deep litter... but the idea, invite the good microbes to live there and they balance the bad ones!

My aim is to be like the forest floor... lots of debris to look for bugs in.