What kind of sand is okay for coop?

[aart]

Would sand work to use in the coop with bedding on top? Wondering if it would help with moisture...

No, it wouldn't help with moisture in the coop.....ventilation helps with that.
Sand doesn't absorb anything.....tho a good coarse sand can help with drainage in certain run situations.

 

[BREKEN]

No, it wouldn't help with moisture in the coop.....ventilation helps with that.
Sand doesn't absorb anything.....tho a good coarse sand can help with drainage in certain run situations.

Thanks! I plan to have a few tons of sand brought out as evey time it rains I have a muddy chicken run since mine is not fully covered.

 

[aart]

Quote: Unless you live in a very arid climate I would not recommend sand in the run.
Runoff and drainage issues should be looked at first then a mix of dry plant matter for an almost maintenance free run bedding.

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

 

[Peach3000]

I'm looking to switch over to sand for my coop. Which is best? When I look at Home Depot or Lower I see paver sand, quickcrete.. things like that but no construction sand. Are they the same as construction sand?
Also, which sand is better for the birds as far a respiratory issue go? We are currently using a mix of pine shavings and hay. The coop stays a mess and smells. I'm looking for something that is easier to clean up and will help keep the smell down. Open to suggestions Thanks in advance or your help!

I am switching to sand also. I am buying the all-purpose sand and you can get it pretty cheap at about $12 for 150 pounds.

 

[5.3acredream]

I'm looking to switch over to sand for my coop. Which is best? When I look at Home Depot or Lower I see paver sand, quickcrete.. things like that but no construction sand. Are they the same as construction sand?
Also, which sand is better for the birds as far a respiratory issue go? We are currently using a mix of pine shavings and hay. The coop stays a mess and smells. I'm looking for something that is easier to clean up and will help keep the smell down. Open to suggestions Thanks in advance or your help!

I don't know if you're open to ther options but a year ago I was looking into switching to sand but read a lot of negatives (stink in humid climates). I ended up switching to a product called sanicare which is a tiny wood product that looks like sand. Honestly, I love it. Best thing I've done for the coop. It absorbs and dries quickly, super easy to scoop, doesnt smell. I've only stripped the whole coop once since using it and only because I felt like I "should". If you're interested here is my post from Nov 2018

 

[aart]

I I ended up switching to a product called sanicare which is a tiny wood product that looks like sand. Honestly, I love it. Best thing I've done for the coop. It absorbs and dries quickly, super easy to scoop, doesnt smell. I've only stripped the whole coop once since using it and only because I felt like I "should". If you're interested here is my post from Nov 2018

Almost missed the link.

 

[Sicilianu]

I am planning on setting up a brooder setup for chicks born in about a month from now using sand. I tried to find if there was any info about using aquarium sand for chickens. Aquarium sand varies from pebbles to very fine beach time sand. Could you take a look at the amazon links below and let me know if any of them might be able to be used for baby chicks?

Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Link5 Link6

 

[britinpa]

Hi!,
not construction sand. Go to the quarry and get river sand. That is what you want. It is coarser and doesn't have the possible contaminants that construction sand may have. Playground sand is too fine and often has too much silica in it.
Best,
Karen in western PA USA

Hi Karen, I am in central PA. I phoned our local quarry and the guy I talked to said I would need Type B sand and he said it's limestone. I looked at the safety info on limestone from their website and I found it a bit offputting - https://www.nesl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Limestone-SDS.pdf
This is a list of their sand description and uses: https://www.nesl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Product-Description-and-Uses_Sand_PA-and-NY.pdf

 

[Geri lak]

I use sand, and it works well. You want course sand, not fine sand. Fine sand does not drain as well as course sand, and the chickens can use course sand for grit. If they sell river sand get that. If you can get washed sand, that is best as it cuts down on dust, but I have used unwashed too. Bagged sand is $4 for 50 lbs, and this is 0.5 cu ft. As Gary said, you will need about a cubit yard to get a sand bed 4 inches deep for a 10x10 pen. This would be 54 bags and weigh 2700 lbs. You will need pickup truck and trailer to get it, it won't fit in your trunk! If you have access to a pickup and trailer, you can get it in bulk at a local quarry. I buy a yard for $35. And you usually end up getting more than a yard since they often use large front end loaders to get the sand, and its hard to guess on how much 1 yard is when the loader can carry 3 or 4.

Sand does require maintenance. Twice a year I shovel out the top inch or so which gets clogged up with chicken poop. I then add the poopy sand into my garden, and my vegetables love it! I then add new sand annually. You can see my run when the sand is new. Looks really nice! My 15x15 run took 2 yards, and I get 1 yard annually to replace what I shovel out and put in the garden.

Is sifted sand goog