This post may contain affiliate links.
Whilst most people use hay, straw, or woodchip as chicken bedding, did you know that sand can also be a useful material to cover the floor of chicken coops and runs?
Sand is a low-mess option that is easy to clean and can help improve the air quality in your coop. However, it is important to choose the right type of sand for your chicken coop to minimize health risks. Sand is also quite different in terms of maintenance, but many people find it easier than standard bedding materials once they get the hang of it!
So, let’s take a look at how to source the best sand for your chicken coop and run, and how to use this mess-free bedding material for chickens.
How To Use Sand In The Chicken Coop and Run
Using sand as a cover material for the floor of a chicken coop and run can be an excellent choice for maintaining hygiene and comfort. Sand provides fantastic drainage, helping to keep the coop dry and reducing the risk of bacteria and mold growth.
Additionally, the gritty texture of sand helps keep the chickens’ feet clean and free of mud, which can be particularly beneficial in wet climates. Sand also remains cool in the summer, providing a comfortable surface for the chickens to walk and rest on.
To effectively use sand as a cover material, it’s important to choose the right type – coarse, construction-grade sand is the best option. Initially, you will need to spread a layer of 2-4 inches of sand evenly across the coop floor and run area, but this will just need topping up occasionally making it a cost-effective option.
How Often Does Sand Need Replacing?
Unlike conventional chicken bedding materials, sand rarely needs replacing in the coop and run. However, regular maintenance is crucial to keep the sand clean and hygienic.
Regular removal of droppings and raking can help manage odors and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria. You may wish to sprinkle a fresh layer of sand every few weeks to keep the bed topped up. Every few months, the sand can be sifted or replaced entirely to ensure it remains fresh and effective as a bedding material.
Type Of Sand For Chicken Coop
The size and robustness of the sand grains are crucial when it comes to selecting the best type for your chicken coop. Fine, soft sand often contains a lot of dust which can affect the delicate respiratory systems of your chickens. It can also cause life-threatening crop impactions if consumed.
So, this means that playing sand and sandbox sand are definitely not suitable for coops and runs. While these sand types may be lovely and soft, they carry huge risks when used as bedding for chicken coops and runs.
Important: Play sand is highly hazardous for chickens, so don’t use it in your coop.
The best type of sand for a chicken coop is a large-grained, coarse sand such as construction sand. This will have minimal dust and be made up of a variety of particle sizes, including small stones. Coarse construction sand drains well and is less likely to cause health problems if your hens consume small particles of grit.
Coarse Sands For Chicken Coop
Although we often refer to the material placed in the chicken coop as ‘bedding’, it is probably better to think of it as litter. Chickens sleep high up on a roost, not on the floor. The material on the floor is there solely to provide a comfortable surface for the birds to walk on and a means of managing their waste. Basically, your coop floor is a giant litter box!
A coarse sand floor in a chicken coop remains dry and does not disintegrate, making it the cleanest sort of bedding available. Since sand does not decompose, it does not produce the same odors as straw, wood shavings, and other organic materials. Chicken poop will dry quickly, reducing flies and making it easier to scoop out with a rake.
How To Clean Sand Chicken Run
Sand eliminates the need to remove and replace bedding every time the coop is cleaned. With a litter scoop or small shovel, chicken poop can be removed from the coop, leaving clean sand behind. The sand should be raked occasionally to prevent it from clumping together.
Is Sand Freezing?
Some people worry that sand could freeze in cold winter when used in chicken coops. It is important to remember that sand itself cannot freeze unless it is saturated in water. So, if your coop floor is clean and dry, the sand will not freeze.
Interestingly, sand absorbs heat through the day and slowly releases it at night, helping to stabilize temperatures in the chicken coop.
However, if you live in a region with cold winters, sand flooring may not be the coziest option for your flock. Hay, straw, and woodchip all have better insulating properties and will help to keep your hens warm at night.
Where is the Best Place To Get Sand?
Coarse construction sand for your chicken coop is most likely available in sacks at your local home improvement or hardware store. If you want to source sand in larger quantities, construction supply firms may be able to deliver sand in bulk. Just make sure to ask for the coarsest construction sand they supply – different types of sand go by a variety of names, but this will keep you on the right track.
