What sand should I use?

[Show Sebright]

Hello, I have a coop in my backyard and it is always muddy. I never encountered this problem this bad before. The chicken coop is always muddy in the ground never drains of the water so they’re walking on mud all day long. We have decided to go with putting sand on the bottom but we do not know which type of sand because if we put too fine of sand then if the chickens eat it it will harm them but we don’t want something too rocky to where they’re walking on rocks. We need to know if this (image attached below) is a good choice. Please someone reply soon because we are lifting the coop and going to add sand tomorrow. Thank you so much to anyone who replies.

 

[Show Sebright]

Sorry, I for got add the picture. This is the best I could find at my Lowes near me.

 

[Kgbao]

@aart @DobieLover

Following also for my reference, I think I’ve seen the concrete sand is the best.

 

[DobieLover]

Any coarse sand should be safe around the chickens.
However, where is the standing water coming from? Run off? From below? If it can be diverted, that would be ideal. I would personally build up the area with with something that won't wash away.
Chickens dig and they will dig holes down in the sand which will pool if water is draining into the run.

 

[2Old2Crow]

Google sand and asbestos. I ran into this issue back in 2012. I gotta believe things have changed, but back then core base sand had asbestos in it. And chickens WILL eat it as they scratch and pick.

 

[ColoradoPip]

I used paving sand for my run for 5 years with no issues. Just have to be sure you get the kind which does not contain crystalline silica. It's not quite as course as the paver base and I get it at Lowes in the garden area.

I also agree with Dobielover that you should try to identify why the area is so wet and address that first.

If sand cannot drain and does not get sun, it can become a disgusting mess.

 

[Show Sebright]

We are lifting the coop and putting a draining pipe underneath. The water comes from rain and never dries. Thank you all so much.

 

[Show Sebright]

Also, does anyone know if the large bags all purpose sand they sell in 1/2 cubic yard outside at Lowe’s is like the paver sand?

 

[Acre4Me]

We are lifting the coop and putting a draining pipe underneath. The water comes from rain and never dries. Thank you all so much.

is the coop going to be elevated Permanently? We did this and it was a good decision-coop stays drier, and lots of shade underneath for the chickens bc it is 2.5’ above the ground. Glad you’ll be able to install a drain pipe.

 

[aart]

We are lifting the coop and putting a draining pipe underneath. The water comes from rain and never dries. Thank you all so much.

Is there a place to run the pipe that is lower than the coop area?