What kind of sand should I use for flooring? Concrete or Motar?

[Three Girls Farms]

I am needing your help in what type of sand I should use for the flooring for my girls. I called the local quarry and asked about their finest washed sand as that is what the Chicken Chick suggested I look in to. My options are mortar sand or concrete sand. Do any of you have any experience personally with either of these? Please give me your input.

Thank you!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You do not want to purchase quarry material. Mortar sand is crushed ledge rock as would be the screened fines. Concrete sand is typically bank sand though can be crushed ledge. Natural sand from gravel pits is what you want, ask the supplier if concrete sand is bank run or crushed? If bank run then run with that.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Sand is sand.

Buy the cheapest you can find, and buy a truckload.

Don't overthink this stuff, because the Chickens won't care at all

 

[Moonkit]

Sand is sand.

Buy the cheapest you can find, and buy a truckload.

Don't overthink this stuff, because the Chickens won't care at all

That's not entirely true. Finer sand will hold more moisture and not drain as well or dry out the poo. Courser grains drain more.

 

[NightHawk123]

I leave near a company that does dredging at the local river. They sift the rock out and what is left is nice course sand that's really cheap. All sand may or may not work but i would go with the course sand if you can. We changed to sand along time ago. Best thing we ever did in the coops.

 

[downsm75]

River sand if you can get it

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

That's not entirely true. Finer sand will hold more moisture and not drain as well or dry out the poo. Courser grains drain more.

LOL

It's still all sand, and no one is measuring moisture levels.
If it's in a coop, there shouldn't BE that much moisture, and if it's in a run that's not covered, it makes no difference at all.

Like I said, don't OVERTHINK it.

It's just sand for chickens.
It doesn't have to be perfect, and there is no "right" or "wrong" kind of sand
Get what is easily available and inexpensive

 

[kallan]

I am getting ready to order a truckload of sand for my runs and the choices are limited to mortar sand and an orange sand...Aberdeen, I think he said from NC. They also have a crushed limestone from a nearby quarry which I have ruled out. What would you choose? If I chose the orange will my white cochins become muddy looking from the mineral content? He assured me it would be washed.