tara Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I use childrens play sand for my girls to dust bath in.Dose any body use normal building sand only its cheaper and if l can l will ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hello Ive read somewhere on a previous post that you shouldnt use builders sand, not sure why though. Personally, i use dry earth from under my confiers and they love it plus its free xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I was told that you needed childrens play sand as it has all the nasties, that builders sand has, taken out. I use a mixture of play sand, old compost and diatom, they love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Same here, although you can also get bird sand in some specialist pet shops, I get this (as its the same as childrens sand) and its just under 7 quid for 25kg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 blimey, my lot are spoilt little madams!! they get sterilised top soil from the garden centre!! Now I know I can use bird sand though I'll be mixing that in too... we use it for the dragons now they're older, and I can get it cheap as chips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 I used to use dirt but it went very soggy when it got wet so l started using childrens play sand its much better it dries out all there poos well.But l saw on here some where a lady used builders sand so that got me thinking.Ill keep using the play sand.Do argos stop selling sand over winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I use compost at the moment but am getting some sharp sand at the weekend from my feed supplier. She uses it for her dust baths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 They have made their on bath under the trees there are pot holes everywhere! I just throw aload of Diatom down as well! I am thinking of making a shelter to keep the earth dry during winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Oh, I'm so glad you posted this. DH said building sand would be fine (we have a lot left from a project), but I've emptied it out this minute and am off to Pets at Home to buy some bird sand! I'm sure they'll find their own dust bath area when they are let out, but right now they are in the run, until we can sort out blocking the gaps under the fences and putting a fence round our garlic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 docsquid - we surround all our veggie beds with bog standard chicken mesh and sticks - doesn't save the nearest leaves from being ravaged but at least the main plants are ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 We've got some orange plastic mesh left over from a building project, so think this will do for starters to protect the garlic bed. I guess chicken fencing will be a must before too long, once the veggies get planted in the summer, although I grow most of my veg in the front garden and at the woods. I've re-filled the sand tray with a mixture of bird sand and compost. All three of them are crammed in there picking out the interesting bits I just hope they didn't come to any harm from having building sand there for 2 or 3 days although I don't think they used it much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 builders sand can contain salt amoungst other things. kiln dried sand or play pit sand is supposed to be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiemad Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 whats the differnce between builders sand and sharp sand? or is the same? only been to B and Q today and got sharp sand- luckily havent put it in yet! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I use play sand and top soil with some Diatom powder and grit mixed in. I have heard builders sand can stain although don't know how this affects chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dappy Chick Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 The main difference between building sand & sharp sand is the grading of the material. Building Sand is 0/2mm & Sharp Sand is 0/4mm (I can't remember the grading on play sand or kiln dried but when wet they both go quite stodgy until dry again, kiln dried sand is designed to go in the cracks of block paving but it only works when bone dry). Building sand is finer so that the builders trowel floats making it easier for bricklaying. Sharp sand (also known as Concrete sand) is co"Ooops, word censored!"r and gives better drainage properties and is ideal for block paving and landscapers dig it into the soil (especially in clay area) to break the soil up and give better drainage. It all depends on where the material was quarried from as to how staining it would be and both building sand & sharp sand can stain if quarried certain places and both products come in many different colours - mainly red, yellow & orange in my area. The sharp sand that you are getting Claire is a granite sharp sand which I use for all my chooks and regularly mix Diatom in with it. I also use it as chick grit - to date mine have all been fine. Salt content (I think) again will depend if it is produced in a high salt area it is not added in and if it comes from a limestone area then there will be some limestone content in it (I have also used ordinary sharp sand with my chooks but they do tend to favour the granite). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Ooooh Daps thats some serious sand speak there! you do know your sand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dappy Chick Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Ooooh Daps thats some serious sand speak there! you do know your sand Sadly yes I have been selling it for 20 years - I am not a expert and EU changed all the grading etc which left my poor little brain behind - but that is very basically it. Sorry i will shut up now - it is not them most interesting subject, I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 No its interesting - I didnt even consider that sand could stain feathers, I was planning to try some as run bedding and probably still will - just not on any pale birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dappy Chick Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 No its interesting - I didnt even consider that sand could stain feathers, I was planning to try some as run bedding and probably still will - just not on any pale birds I know a good supplier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 I buy kiln dried sand from Wickes I usually have to ask for it as it seems to be kept out the back. It is the very fine clean stuff you brush into the pointing when laying Patios OH although not into Chickens told me it was ideal I mix it with potting compost from Wickes too both Very Cheep sorry couldn't resist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Who knew sand could be so interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Who knew sand could be so interesting I for one definately need to get out more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Must admit to be slightly in awe of these knowledgable persons... And I thought sand was, well, just sand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
