sand Vs wood shavings in coops ?

[elmo]

Quote:
Yes, shavings will give you more insulating effect than sand. Chickens can even nestle into a big bank of shavings to help keep themselves warm. Can't do that with sand.

Water won't freeze sand into stone, but water will freeze itself. I would imagine the same would be true of water soaked shavings if it's cold enough for water to freeze inside the coop. When I spill some water in the sand in my coop, I either scoop out the clump with the same scoop I use to remove droppings, or just let it dry on its own.

I live in North Texas and although we sometimes get freezing weather, our winters are generally mild. For us, sand in the coop works great.

 

[bantyhen'sfriend]

Isn't it moisture in the air that causes frostbite? I would think if the sand is dry, it would not freeze together... but what do I know? I've never tried it. I could use it in my layer house and see if it helps with the moisture control. I could just chip off the wet parts if anything bad happens, like a waterer tipping over. It would also cut down on dust and make cleaning easier.

We have had our layer flock on the dirt floor of our barn (with a little shavings and hay tossed in there for them to play with), and they have not been frostbitten. In fact, the roosters I had in the barn did not frostbite at all, but my show quality cockerel did frostbite, even though I was putting some vasaline on his comb. We had problems with frostbite last year as well (I thought I had to dub one of my roosters' comb, it looked like his head had exploded at first glance and there was blood everywhere from him tossing his head

). Maybe sand would be a good choice, if I can keep the snow from blowing into the coop through the pop door. It would also make cleaning much easier. Someone who lives in a climate with freezing winters, help me make up my mind!

 

[patandchickens]

bantyhen'sfriend :

Isn't it moisture in the air that causes frostbite?

Cold causes frostbite. Humid cold air is one kind of cold, and tends to give frostbit combs; standing barefoot on ice or other bare-frozen ground is another, and tends to cause frostbit feet. On account of it sucking heat away from the feet much more rapidly/efficiently than when chickens are standing on something more insulating like shavings or straw or even loose dirt.

I would think if the sand is dry, it would not freeze together... but what do I know? I've never tried it. I could use it in my layer house and see if it helps with the moisture control.

Sand in horse stalls and indoor riding arenas frequently freezes up pretty solid in wintertime (Northern winters, I mean). Hard for me to imagine keeping a coop a whole lot drier than that.

Sand is totally NOT helpful in moisture control because it does not absorb any moisture at all, whereas shavings or straw do.

(Of course, with *any* kind of bedding it's best to remove any wet areas)

JME,

Pat​

 

[bantyhen'sfriend]

Just realized how cold I get standing in a sand arena, even with good winter boots! I would hate to be a chicken in that sand, especially in the parts where snow was tracked in and mixed into the sand. Sand at 10 degrees F would stay at 10 degrees F for a long time, because it has so much mass. I will just have to resign myself to cleaning the coop more regularly and adding ventilation in the winter.

 

[Smorz]

Speaking from first had experience with Sand (Washed Sand), I would say SAND SAND SAND all the way.  My uncovered run is 28 feet long - 10 feet wide. 

I am110% satisfied with washed sand.

Is washed sand what most places sell? How many birds do you have? We have 55. Wondering how sand will do with that many.