Using sand in the run

[DuncanZA]

I just read an interesting article on using sand on the floor of the chicken run - sharp or river sand rather than play sand you'd use for children's play areas. As our rainy season is now over (more or less) and it'll be dry for the next six months I think I might give it a try. Anyone have any thoughts on using sand in the chicken run?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[chrismahon]

We raise our chicks on kiln dried sand. The type used to bed the gaps in block paving Duncan. If it gets wet it turns to slurry but the water soon soaks through, until the sand gets mixed with poo and then it sets hard. Should be fine if you have some sheltered areas. But ultimately I can see it being a problem. For the chicks we seive the poos out, but that will be a much bigger job in your case. If you had a seiving machine it would be good as the poos would dry out and be easily separated.

We use hardwood chippings. As it rains a lot (usually, but not this year) it tends to rot down and has to be topped up. When it builds up too much it has to be cleared out and replaced. The waste is composted further and spread on the garden.

 

[Sue]

I actually raised this topic a little while ago, as I currently use hard wood chips and wondered whether sand would be a better alternative. I considered using the play sand as I thought it would drain better and also dry better when it got wet (rather than builders sand, although cheaper wasn't such good quality). I actually have a covered run, but the rain does blow in through the sides (which are wire mesh) if the wind is blowing in that direction so the edges do get wet sometimes. I thought sand would be better for their feet and as I poo pick several times per day, it would stay fairly clean and it would probably be easier to poo pick from sand rather than wood chip. The only reason I decided against it is because someone raised the point of how to dispose of it when it became time to do a complete clean out and replacement, but if it could be sieved and washed then I suppose it wouldn't need to be disposed of. Anyway, I decided to stay with the wood chip for now and have another think at a later date.

 

[cherrycoop]

My chickens free range but come into the run at night - only so they don't roost on the verandah chairs! I have sand in the run -we do not have many other options here and the sand is from the beach. They love bathing in it and I find it easy to sieve clean. It does dry out quickly but sometimes we get v heavy rain 2 inches overnight and that is a problem

 

[charliefox]

hi this is just my opinion. hardwood chips are fine, so is sharp sand the type builders use, silver sand is what they use in block paveing is a bad idea as the rain will wash it away .only any good inside in the dry. pea shingle is ok a good rake over and its ready to go again also shreded rubber tyres might be an option. hope this helps uncle fox