Using sand in run AND in coop?

[farmgirlroots]

I have a very small coop and run for my hand full of hens. I know there are many lovers of using sand in the run here. I'm wondering if anyone uses sand in the run AND their coop? It would be much simpler for me to just use it in both given the size of my chicken facility...

Additionally, does anyone sprinkle Sweet PDZ in their sand, or does that not help with odor unless bedding is shavings?

 

[renardsubtil]

Sand for the run and coop would be really nice, coupled with a litter box scooper and you'll have a super time cleaning the droppings...depending on the size of the run, you're going to need a lot of sand, I mean a minimum of at least 2" but more is better as the chickens love to dig themselves a hole to bath and cool down in sometimes.

I don't know about the "Sweet PDZ" but I use a food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) and it eliminates odors well and adds a deterrent to flea, lice, ticks etc.

 

[blackswamp]

I just got done with my coop & I put sand inside of it. I put DE on the floor before I put sand in and more DE and sweet PDZ on top of sand & mixed it around a little. On my poop board I put just a handful of DE & covered it with PDZ.
To me the only smell is there food Nutrena chick starter & grower food. That stuff stinks!

 

[c2chicks]

I use sand in the coop and run as well. Ditto on the Sweet PDZ and DE! There's no smell and everything is easy to clean!

 

[Bens-Hens]

I use kids playground sand in our coop. I had a kitty litter scoop to begin with, but found a converted milk bottle does a better job for scooping and sifting.

Scoop is just like this, but drilled a heap of holes in the base.


I even got an action shot!


When I first converted.


I got the bags of sand from the local hardware store, $7.50 for 20kg's

 

[ckvchestnut]

I'm new here but unjust want to say what a great idea! Thanks for posting! I would probably need a long sand for my coops but this seems so much easier and cleaner than other types of bedding.

 

[ckvchestnut]

Sorry for the typos! Dumb phone!

 

[1sttimefarmer]

My husband thinks sand will be too heavy on the floor of the coop. Our coop is elevated and has a pull-out tray. I think with sand, the need to pull out the tray would be nil. Seems like it would work great to me. Our coop is only 4x3 so I can't imagine it would be very heavy. Thoughts?

 

[DLV58]

Hi I'm using sand in my brooder and it works great. I will be using it
in the run 10ft by 6.5ft and the coop which is only 5ft by 4ft by 5ft

 

[DLV58]

Bens-Hens...I really like your milk jug scoop...I'm gonna make me one! TY