Emily Carter
Sand is a popular choice for chicken coop bedding and flooring, with many chicken owners swearing by it. It is cheap, long-lasting, and an excellent source of grit for chickens to aid digestion. It also helps keep the coop dry, reducing the risk of mold, ammonia, and respiratory illnesses. However, some chicken owners are against using sand, as it can be uncomfortable for chickens in cold weather, and it can also cause diseases like Coccidiosis. The type of sand used is also important—coarse, construction, concrete, and river sand are good options, while fine, dusty sand like play sand should be avoided.
Characteristics and values of using sand in a chicken coop
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleanliness | Sand is cleaner than other bedding options and doesn't degrade, reducing smells, bacteria, flies, and other pests |
| Grit | Sand is a good source of grit to aid chicken digestion |
| Moisture retention | Sand doesn't hold moisture like organic bedding, reducing the risk of mold and ammonia |
| Temperature | Sand can be uncomfortable for chickens in hot weather, but can be insulated with a thicker layer in cold weather |
| Cost | Sand is cost-effective, with a truckload costing around $10-$20 |
| Maintenance | Sand requires regular scooping of poop and occasional raking |
| Safety | Play sand can cause crop impactions if ingested by chickens |
| Drainage | Sand improves drainage, especially when combined with gravel |
| Pests | Sand can retain pathogens if not cleaned properly; food-grade diatomaceous earth can be added to deter pests |
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What You'll Learn
Sand is a good source of grit for chickens
Sand can be a good source of grit for chickens, but this depends on the type of sand and the age of the birds. While some sources claim that sand is a good source of grit for chicks up to two weeks old, others argue that sand is useless as grit for chickens because it passes right through them.
Sand is composed mainly of silica, which can be harmful to lungs with repeated exposure to silica dust. Fine-grained sand, such as play sand or beach sand, can cause crop impaction and respiratory illnesses in chickens. Therefore, medium- to coarse-grained sand is recommended for chicken coops. River sand, which is usually sourced locally, is a popular choice as it is inexpensive, helps with preening and exfoliating, and keeps the coop cool in the summer.
Sand has excellent insulating qualities and helps keep the coop cooler in the summer. It also dries out chicken poop quickly, reducing odors and the risk of mold and ammonia. Sand also helps keep the coop cleaner as the poop stays on top of it and can be easily scooped out. Additionally, sand helps reduce flies and exposure to pathogens and parasites.
Some chicken keepers use sand in their coops and runs without any problems, while others recommend packaged grit for chickens, especially for younger chicks. Crushed granite grit or grower grit is recommended for chickens between three and eight weeks old, while layer grit can be introduced when they are eight weeks old.
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Sand is cleaner than other bedding materials
Sand is a fantastic option for chicken coops and runs. It is aesthetically pleasing and looks cleaner than other bedding options, but it is also scientifically proven to be cleaner. Auburn University researchers found that coliform counts, including E. coli, were significantly lower in sand than in wood shavings.
Sand is inorganic and doesn't break down, so it doesn't hold moisture like organic bedding. This means you don't need to worry about mould and ammonia, and your chickens will have less exposure to pathogens and parasites, such as Coccidiosis and worms. It also dries out chicken poop relatively quickly, reducing smells and flies.
Sand is also a great source of grit, which chickens need to help break down their food during digestion. It promotes good foot health and is simpler to maintain and keep clean. It doesn't stick to chickens' feet like other bedding types, and when kicked into their drinking water, it sinks rather than floats, keeping the water clean.
Sand is also a more natural bedding option for chickens. It is similar to what chickens in the wild are likely to see and live on. It is also more durable than other bedding types, making it more cost-effective over time.
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Sand can cause crop impactions when ingested
Chickens need grit to aid in the breakdown of food during digestion. Sand in the coop is a readily available source of grit, especially in the winter months when outdoor access to grit is limited. Sand also helps with odours by drying out chicken droppings relatively quickly, reducing flies and exposure to pathogens and parasites.
However, sand can cause crop impactions when ingested. Chickens have a crop or "craw", which is a gateway to a chicken's stomach and a vital element to the chicken's health. Food sits in the crop before going through the digestive process, allowing chickens to eat a lot of food at once and then go to a safe area to digest. An impacted crop occurs when food becomes compacted and creates a blockage, preventing the crop from sending food to the gizzard to begin digestion. This can be fatal to chickens if not addressed as soon as possible.
Play sand, in particular, may cause crop impaction in the short term and serious respiratory illness in the long term. Chickens will inevitably eat some of their bedding, and play sand can cause blockages in the crop. Fine-grained sands are also dusty and may cause long-term respiratory problems in chickens and humans. Silicosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in silica (quartz) particles, can be fatal to chickens.
While sand may be used in the run, it is recommended to cover the run to prevent the sand from getting wet, clumping, and potentially hardening or freezing in the winter.
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Sand is uncomfortable for chickens in cold climates
Secondly, sand can cause respiratory issues for chickens in cold climates. Sand is largely composed of silica, which can be harmful to lungs with repeated exposure to silica dust. Over time, sand will be ground down into a fine powder through normal chicken coop use. This fine powder can be inhaled by chickens and collect in their lungs, potentially causing a respiratory disease called silicosis.
Thirdly, sand may not be suitable for chickens in extremely cold climates as it can freeze. If the sand gets soaking wet, it can pose inhumane conditions for chickens, as they are not protected from the elements. In such conditions, chickens will be extremely uncomfortable and may even get sick or die.
Finally, sand can cause crop impaction in chickens if ingested. While this risk is minimal for adult chickens, it can be a concern in cold climates where chickens may be more likely to ingest the sand out of boredom or a lack of alternative bedding materials to peck at.
Therefore, while sand has many benefits as a chicken coop bedding, it may not be the best choice for chickens in cold climates due to the potential for discomfort and health issues.
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Sand is a good alternative to wood shavings
Sand also helps to keep the coop dry. Unlike wood shavings, sand doesn't hold moisture in the same way, so you don't need to worry as much about mould and ammonia build-up. This is particularly useful if you have a waterer in your coop that may leak or spill. Sand also dries chicken poop relatively quickly, reducing the presence of wet poop in the coop, which can help to reduce exposure to pathogens and parasites, such as Coccidiosis.
In addition, sand can help to reduce odours in the coop by drying out the poop, and it doesn't break down in the same way that wood shavings do, which can help to keep the coop cleaner and reduce flies. Sand is also easier to clean than wood shavings, as it doesn't mat with the poop in the same way.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to using sand. It can be more difficult to transport than wood shavings, as it is heavier and you will likely need a larger vehicle to transport it. Sand can also become dusty, especially when replacing it or during hot and dry weather. It is also important to note that sand is largely composed of silica, which can be harmful to lungs with repeated exposure to silica dust.
Overall, sand is a good alternative to wood shavings in a chicken coop, but there are some considerations to keep in mind, such as the potential for dust and the need for larger vehicles for transportation.
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Frequently asked questions
Sand is an excellent source of grit to aid your chicken's digestion and it helps keep their feet clean. It also provides good drainage, reducing the risk of mould, mud and ammonia. Sand is longer-lasting than other bedding materials and cheaper in the long run.
It is recommended to use coarse sand, such as river sand or construction sand. Avoid fine, dusty sand, such as play sand or sandbox sand, as it can cause respiratory issues.
Use a shovel or rototiller to turn the sand and facilitate drying. You can also use sifting shovels and sand sifting pans to clean the sand.
Sand can be uncomfortable for chickens in cold climates. It can also retain pathogens and cause diseases like Coccidiosis.
