Which SAND to Use?

[iwiw60]

I'm going to put a galvanized tub in my chicken run so the hens can dust themselves. I've heard that there is 'sand' and then there's 'SAND' .. is there a particular kind to use? And do I mix it with other things such as wood ash? Thanks for any replies!

 

[Laurelm]

I'm going to put a galvanized tub in my chicken run so the hens can dust themselves. I've heard that there is 'sand' and then there's 'SAND' .. is there a particular kind to use? And do I mix it with other things such as wood ash? Thanks for any replies! 

I just buy the basic sand at Home Depot and mix food grade diatomaceous earth. The DE helps kill any lice or mites. The chicken are and so am I!

I am sure others put other things in it - I just keep it easy and simple.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I use a mix of kiddies play sand, DE, wood ash and fine cedar mulch.

 

[iwiw60]

Thanks Laurelm and heartsized farm...appreciate the info! On the cedar mulch? I've heard that cedar tends to be toxic to chickens..old wive's tale maybe??

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I just noticed they loved to roll in the garden where I mulch (and of course scratch all the mulch out onto the pathway so I have to rake it back in) so I thought they should have their own rather than mine! But I'll look into the toxicity issue. It's not it their coop, its in their larger run, for days when they can't free range.