Sooo much pooping

[FlyingRamses]

Hello!

 

Some advice please. I have been using Easibed on my hens run for a year and it works well. We have a puppy in the house now and he keeps finding bits in the garden and eating them (ususlly mixed in with the hen poo he enjoys eating so much ), on two occasions he had to go to vet as it gave him problems with his intestines, £800 (luckily insured) treatment the first time!!!! He is a v small pup but being a Toy Poodle will never grow very big so this may always be an issue.

 

I read on a US chicken forum that lots of the yanks use sand in the run and it works well. Has anyone in the UK tried it? If I can use something that will not harm the pup, it will keep everyone happy!!

 

My run is concrete paving based at present with the Easibed on top, I would like to replace the Easibed with sand. Run is covered but does get some rain in when it is windy. I just wondered how absorbent it is, is it ok if the hens eat some and how easy/often I will need to clean it out or even replace the sand. Is sharp sand ok?

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

regards

 

FR

[Redwing]

Hiya FR

 

Many top breeders use sharp sand in their runs, I dont know how good it is though. I would imagine the runs would be covered ones

 

They must have a good reason for using sand so maybe its worth a try

[quickcluck]

If you take the plunge, dont forget to report back and let us know how it's going!

[Chickvic]

I'm sure there was someone who used sand on the forum...I just can't remember who they said it was easy to poo pick, they sieved through it to get any bits out and that their girls loved it as it was one giant dust bath! We are looking at using sand when we eventually get our WIR, it'll just be on top of slabs too.

 

Found it - it was SuperKate

 

Here

[bankcott]

Hi, interested to know how you got on with the sharps sand? Our covered run gets very muddy (rain can get in) and we've been debating the sand option too. Thanks

[nin-chicken]

I use sand in my run too - sharp sand. It was recommended to me by the lady I bought my 2nd hand cube from as she said she preferred it to wood chip. It is very easy to maintain, I poo pick with a litter scoop thing and there are bits of shell/grit in for the chickens to eat. When its dry (ha ha) they do dustbathe directly in it which is lovely for them. In my WIR I have weed membrane with turf protector over it then a few inches of sand. I have the roof and one side of the run covered with tarp and although the sand is current!y quite damp there are only puddles under the feeders where the chooks dig deep holes! I have no mud whatsoever. It drains pretty quickly when we get dry spells but I have lots of logs and perches so the girls can keep their feet dry in the meantime. The other advantage is if you have clay soil the composted poos with sand mixed in will help lighten it up. I'm a big fan of sand!

[merlina]

Interesting...

Where do you get this sand from?

I'm concerned about the unwanted additives that might be in sand intended for building etc

[nin-chicken]

I got it from a builders merchant. It's not builders sand though which is dyed orange. It's sharp sand which is completely natural with no additives or dyes or anything. You might also be able to get it in wickes or b&q.

Any more questions, let me know!

[Guest]

I had never even thought of sand on top of a slabbed base what a good idea.

 

I am sick of clearing out stinking wet straw/aubiose then having the problem of disposing of it.

 

You would need quite a deep skirting board at the base of the run to keep the sand in I guess but I think it sounds a good idea.

 

I did use sharp sand in the old run when it was on soil and it was easy to poo pick and rake over.

 

I hope someone comes back with an experience of it soon.

[bluekarin]

That's a great idea. Never thought of using it before but will do now. In the process of doing some work on our run and ground as we have no chickens currently so thought best to get it all sorted before we get a new flock in.

[JellyBean2605]

This is an interesting idea, I just have a couple of questions: how do you clean it? Mix in some stalosan every week or so? How often (if at all) does it need replacing and what do you do with the old sand?

[bluekarin]

I would imagine, if you have a soil base run, it would eventually merge with the soil. To clean I would use a pooper scooper you can get for cleaning cat litter trays.

[chuckmum6]

I liked the idea, but after a quick bit of searching I am not so sure now.

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html

[bluekarin]

I read that earlier as well. Doesn't look brilliant does it, which is such a shame

[nin-chicken]

Wow what a damning report! However, I have read many more articles/websites/forums which site the benefits of sand, and met several people who have used it for years without problem. I think a lot of what was said was scare- mongering. It isn't the same as beach sand, it is very gritty. I don't have chicks. My chickens don't eat the sand. My WIR is situated in the shade so even if we do get a hot summer it won't be hot to walk on. People who do use it in a hot climate sprinkle with water on very hot dry days. I sprinkle weekly with stalosan to kill bacteria. Sharp sand is actually good for the garden, especially if you have clay soil. It is extremely easy to see and remove the poos so there is much less of a build up of them than if they were hidden in wood chips. Ummmmmmm what else? My girls have been seen on many occasions scratching and digging in the sand and do find worms around the edges! Oh and how many wild chickens live on aubiose I wonder??! I don't use sand in the coop/nesting box though as I agree it wouldn't be very cosy!

[Guest]

Like others I have no intention of having chicks, would poo pick daily, use a disinfectant regularly and would not use in the coop.

 

The sand in my old run just seemed to blend into the ground which being clay did the soil good.

 

I know some people have success with pea gravel in the run but that does not appeal to me at all.

[jennie186]

I am building WIR at moment. Flooring will be going down soon. At moment they are on wood chip in classic run but is so wet and compacted and needs digging out and replacing every few weeks. I was planning on putting down membrane on top of mud with 3 inches of sharp sand on top and aubiose on top of that. I saw this recommended on the forum somewhere. Was hoping to be able to keep it drier for them. Damp woodchip is no fun. Now I'm not sure what is best. Will probably go with the sand/aubiose mix unless a better idea shows up.

[Plum]

I'm looking after friends chooks at the moment. It's normally horrid mud when it's wet but they have sand down now which is great. It's flat and compacted and the girls are clean. It's easy to poo pick. I'll have to see how it is after a few months

[chuckmum6]

You will have to keep us updated Plum!

[PixieDust]

OH thinking of weed membrane and sharp sand. Any feedback on that?

[Plum]

Just looked after hens again and honestly can't remember my post before or seeing sand. (I am quite old and demented). Anyway this time they put grass down 2 weeks ago which is all gone and after me clumping around for a few days in the rain was beginning to turn muddy. So that's not very helpful.

 

You may remember me posting about their Wyandotte bantom I had doubts about its sex. Well its crowing well now and has beautiful plumage. I had to say to them that their hen's never going to lay eggs, I wonder how long it would have taken them if I hadn't said anything

[PixieDust]

Ah, ok Plum