Sand for Litter in the Coop and Run
- Donna Weekes
- Jun 21, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Ensuring chickens are happy and healthy greatly depends on providing a clean and comfortable living environment.
One often neglected element of chicken care is the selection of litter for the coop. We refer to this as litter, not bedding, since chickens roost rather than sleep on the floor like other livestock. While various options exist, sand has become a favored choice among those who keep backyard chickens.
Easy Maintenance
Want to spend less time cleaning your coop/run?
Maintaining a clean chicken coop and run can be labor-intensive, but incorporating sand simplifies the process. With the use of a droppings board and a drywall taping knife, which we highly recommend. Droppings boards are essentially a shelf that catches droppings produced from chickens roosting at night. Droppings boards are scraped off into a compost bucket, usually first thing in the morning. After cleaning the droppings boards, sometimes there are wetter droppings that happen. To help control the moisture in the coop that these droppings produce, we sprinkle a product on the boards called Fresh Coop (that's safe for chickens) to absorb the residual moisture.
Cleaning is as easy as sifting droppings off with a sand scooper and a sand sifting pan
The primary function for litter in chicken coops is to keep it dry and facilitate cleaning.
Sand when kept dry, prevents any bacteria from starting, is the easiest to clean, as the droppings lay on top and are easily lifted off.
The Chicken Coop
There are many benefits to sand, it desiccates droppings, it does not retain moisture or decay, which means less risk of respiratory infections, fewer flies, less bacterial growth, reduced bumblefoot infections and a lower risk of frostbite compared to shavings or straw.
There is no risk of crop impaction with sand, sand is beneficial to the digestive tract as it is used as grit in the gizzard to break down fibrous foods. Sand decreases coccidiosis problems because cocci require warm, damp environments with oxygen to sporulate.
Due to its high thermal mass, sand maintains more stable coop temperatures. Cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
In inclement weather, sand inside the coop and run is dry and dust-bath ready! Eggs in nest boxes using Plastic Nesting Pads remain cleaner in wet or muddy outdoor conditions because hen's feet are cleaned and dried while walking through sand to reach the nest boxes.
The Chicken Run
Our chicken run is covered with a roof, but with open sides , rain gets the sand wet from time to time. That's normal. Sand drains when it gets wet. When this happens, we either use a shovel to turn it or a cordless rototiller with battery charger to freshen it up.
In high traffic areas like around the drinkers, feeders and doors the sand tends to get compacted down more so, the use of a cordless rototiller and rechargeable battery is perfect for loosening and turning up the sand. After using this tool the sand looks fresh again and smells like fresh garden soil.
One of the benefits of sand in a covered run is that the chickens can dust bathe all year long. Dry sand stays loose even in the coldest temperatures.
The use of 6ml Contractors Plastic secured with wood strapping on the walls of the chicken run over the cold, windy, snowy months to help keep the chickens more comfortable. The plastic acts like a greenhouse on sunny days.
The more affordable option for the plastic is at Home Depot-Everbilt 102" x 59' ( 500 sq.ft) CGSB Approved 6 mil Vapour Barrier | The Home Depot Canada
For more details on this subject, refer to our blog "Winterizing with Chickens"
Odor Control like No Other
One of the most significant downsides of traditional litter options is the unpleasant odors that can build up over time. Sand, however, excels in this area as well. It's lack of absorbent properties help to neutralize odors effectively, as sand does not decompose, allowing for a more pleasant environment in and around your coop.
For sand to perform the job properly, your chicken run needs to have a roof. The name of the game is DRY. If the litter gets wet, it will smell. Any litter you use will smell if allowed to get wet.
By regularly scooping the droppings that lay on top of the sand with a sand scooper and sand sifting pan, while periodically raking and turning the sand, you can further reduce odors by aerating it and exposing any damp spots to air. This simple practice can ward off foul smells while promoting a healthier living space for your flock.
In addition to odor control, well-maintained sand for litter supports a clean coop and run, resulting in healthier chickens as well as a more enjoyable experience for owners.
Cost Effectiveness
Many chicken keepers report lasting satisfaction with sand up to five years or longer with proper maintenance. This longevity can lead to significant savings on litter replacement costs and less health issues, making it a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Final Thoughts
The purpose of sand is to keep the environment dry and facilitate waste removal. It is not for the purpose of keeping chickens warm in cold weather. chickens will keep themselves warm with their high body temperatures and feather insulation in a dry environment.
Dry sand will not freeze in freezing temperatures, but any litter that is allowed to get wet in freezing temperatures will!
Incorporating sand into your chicken coop and run unveils a variety of benefits, supporting the health of your flock. From better drainage and hygiene to encouraging natural behaviors and cutting costs, the advantages of sand are impressive.
I have included a photo for reference with this blog with the type of sand to use. The sand goes by different names. What's more important is the characteristics of the sand than what its called.
It can be called construction, quarry, river or bank sand. As long as it has different size particles in it.
It should not be manufactured by crushing of quartz. Many play sands are manufactured by crushing quartz, which creates fine, dusty particles that pack closely together, neither of which are the best features for chicken litter.
We purchased our sand at a local excavating company but landscaping companies carry it as well. It's very economical at $35/yard.
Home improvement centers usually carry bags of sand at less economical prices than bulk sand, but caution must be used to be certain the sand is natural, not manufactured. It tends to be super dusty even though the bag claims it has been washed.
Have you tried sand in the coop and run yet?
Nothing performs litter's job better, is more sanitary to use with chickens or is easier to maintain than sand!
Gotta love low-effort, superior-performing chicken keeping methods!
Work smarter, not harder at keeping healthy and managing waste!
Anyone that happens to be local within the area. we purchase our sand at Bain's Excavating on Hwy 37, just south of Trillium Woods Golf Course.
Lawrence has seen us there enough times that if you tell him you're looking for sand for your chicken coop and run, he knows the product to use.
You may also be interested in other items we have listed in our ROSLIN RECOMMENDATIONS | Roslin Poultry Ranch-Amazon Affiliate Shop for all your chicken needs.
The Chicken Chick-A great article on the use of Straw
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