Winter prep - sand and shavings.

[NHMountainMan]

I presently have about 4' of sand on the floor of my coop. On the poop board, I use a layer of sand and pdz. The floor has stayed pretty clean since adding the poop boards. Thanks to @aart and @jthornton

I'm now in winter prep mode. I've seen a lot of comments about sand freezing in the winter. I will not be heating the coop. It's my first year, and I'm still learning, and want to see how they do in the cold NH winter. (I will have heated water)

Based on most of the comments I've read - it seems that cold, frozen sand isn't optimal. So - I'm planning on adding wood shavings. Can I just throw them on top of the sand, or should I shovel the sand out, and start with wood shavings on top of the vinyl floor?

Thanks as always!

 

[aart]

I would recommend removing the sand.
Save it for the poop board.

Both sand and PDZ will freeze if wet(juicy poops).
Going with a thinner layer can make popping the poopcicles off the board a bit easier.
I have to be very careful removing these, fractured the vinyl being too 'assertive' my first winter.
Or going with a deeper layer might be better, until they start dustbathing in it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think if it were me....

I would get the large flake shavings to put on top of the sand. Then know I would have to sift it out in spring as it will likely get mixed in.

That does not sound "fun".

Shoveling it out......where to "store" it all winter?

Covering with cardboard sheets then shavings.....might be slippery.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I would recommend removing the sand.
Save it for the poop board.

Both sand and PDZ will freeze if wet(juicy poops).
Going with a thinner layer can make popping the poopcicles off the board a bit easier.
I have to be very careful removing these, fractured the vinyl being too 'assertive' my first winter.
Or going with a deeper layer might be better, until they start dustbathing in it.

Dang it - was really hoping you'd say to just cover the sand. looks like I'll be spending the next few days in the coop....

 

[NHMountainMan]

I think if it were me....

I would get the large flake shavings to put on top of the sand. Then know I would have to sift it out in spring as it will likely get mixed in.

That does not sound "fun".

Shoveling it out......where to "store" it all winter?

Covering with cardboard sheets then shavings.....might be slippery.

Thanks for the reply. @aart hasn't let me down yet - probably without realizing it, he's a bit of a mentor to many of us newbies!

 

[chickens really]

I tossed the shavings right over the sand and just continued to clean it out over winter as needed..
Was definitely easier than removing all the sand at once..

 

[chickens really]

Thanks for the reply. @aart hasn't let me down yet - probably without realizing it, he's a bit of a mentor to many of us newbies!

He is a she just so you know..

 

[NHMountainMan]

Thanks for correction. Newbie mistake!

 

[chickens really]

Thanks for correction. Newbie mistake!

I thought she was he too in the beginning..Not a problem at all..

 

[imnukensc]

I, too, would get rid of the sand----permanently-----and just use shavings.