Using sand in chicken yard -- does it get too hot?

[AutumnFall]

I've been thinking of putting down sand in my chicken yard, but I'm wondering how it works when it gets very hot. Does the sand hold the heat (like on a beach on a really hot sunny day) making the chickens hotter? We live in Iowa, so we don't have blistering Arizona type hot, but it gets pretty hot at times. Part of the yard is shaded by grape vines and part is open to the sun. (And usually they are allowed to run around the pasture, but there are times they need to stay in their yard, and on hot days they don't like to roam too far anyway.) I've heard lots of folks rave about sand, but I've always wondered about this part.

Thanks,
Autumn

 

[AutumnFall]

I've seen so many people talking about how great sand is on this site. I was really hoping someone could answer my question. Sigh.

 

[limited25]

A lot of our yard is sand and grass and anything else we plant in it grows well (have supplemented in a few areas with topsoil). I guess I would have to say it works well with our chickens (we have 9). When it does get too hot, we cover their area with a tarp and use misters. I would recommend it.

 

[jennyf]

First summer with chickens, but so far here in St. Louis there's been a few days of 100 or close to. Our coop and covered small run are sand, and larger run with dirt. Sand is never in full sun due to covered run, but doesn't seem to heat up any more than dirt would. I've hosed it down a couple of times/day. Love love love it in terms of staying clean, but I scoop poop with a kitty litter scoop once or twice/day.

 

[aart]

I've been thinking of putting down sand in my chicken yard, but I'm wondering how it works when it gets very hot. Does the sand hold the heat (like on a beach on a really hot sunny day) making the chickens hotter? We live in Iowa, so we don't have blistering Arizona type hot, but it gets pretty hot at times. Part of the yard is shaded by grape vines and part is open to the sun. (And usually they are allowed to run around the pasture, but there are times they need to stay in their yard, and on hot days they don't like to roam too far anyway.) I've heard lots of folks rave about sand, but I've always wondered about this part.

Thanks,
Autumn

.....and many have found it's not all it's chalked up to be.

Yes, it will get hot and hold the heat...and poop can't decompose in it.
Eventually it will become saturated with pulverized poop and when wet will stink to high heaven.
Better to build up a good varied mix of dry plant matter.

Here's a great description of contents and how to manage organic 'bedding' in a run or coop...and there's a great video of what it looks like.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1037998/muddy-run-help-please#post_16017992

 

[AutumnFall]

Thank you for the input, and for the link to the thread on muddy runs -- all very helpful. We have very dense clay soil, and I'm starting to think that maybe putting some sand in to lighten the soil, but doing pine needles and leaves and things on top might be a good combo . . . But I think the main thing is I'll have to think about this a little more.

 

[aart]

Thank you for the input, and for the link to the thread on muddy runs -- all very helpful. We have very dense clay soil, and I'm starting to think that maybe putting some sand in to lighten the soil, but doing pine needles and leaves and things on top might be a good combo . . . But I think the main thing is I'll have to think about this a little more.

Sand mixed into clay can make something akin to concrete.