Want to better understand using sand and wood chips for coops and runs

[harleyjo]

I am just getting into chickens. My husband built a coop and we have a wood floor in it. 2 windows with hardware wire, very secure. I have an exterior door for a house with almost all windows so they will have plenty of light. Then we built a small 8 x 12 fenced yard/run area for them. I intend for them to free range some but also want to be able to contain them more closely at times.

I have wood chips down inside the coop but have read a few things about using sand. Help me understand what is best to use where. Thank-you.

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[krcote]

Wood chips inside. Sand outside. Wood chips/shavings are an excellent medium for the deep litter method (do a search for more info). The sand outside is usually put down after the chickens have eaten all of the pretty grass and you are left with a wet smelly muddy run. Sand drains well, and is easily raked clean of poo on a regular basis. Helpful?

 

[harleyjo]

Yes that helps. Do the people that use the sand on the inside have dirt floors?

 

[krcote]

That I do not know!

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

I plan to use sand on the floor...will either put some cheap vinyl on floor or paint with high gloss paint. I'm using sand in the trays under my chicks now...they are on wire in a Chicken-n-Hutch from TSC. The sand dries the poo out and I scoop daily to keep the smell and flies down.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I don't. I have a winter coop with a painted wood floor and sand on top. There's a picture on my BYC page. Works great!