Sand in the Chicken Run “The medium-grade sand is probably the best type of bedding for the coop area, as it doesn't hold liquid, doesn't harbor pathogens like mold, and it's very easy to clean,” Byrum says. “A lot of people try to use play sand, but there's a problem with the smaller grain silicates.
Northern chicken keepers who experience cold weather year-round may choose straw as a good coop litter. In temperate or hot regions, wood shavings or sand make a better option. Natural litter can be a good option if you have access to large quantities of a dry natural litter source.
Sand. Sand is an inexpensive choice to install on the floor of your coop. Typically, the texture of the sand is coarse which makes chicken droppings easy to clean up with a scoop. Because the grains of sand are so light, on windy days they will blow away unless contained.
Pine shavings are a very common coop bedding material and are easy to find at most farm & garden stores. They have a fresh scent to them and are one of my top picks!
Coarse sand (also known as builder's sand, but not the finer play sand) has become increasingly popular as a flooring in the chicken coop, and it's certainly helpful in keeping the flock cool in the summer months. Easy to maintain and a boon in keeping flies away, for the small to medium sized run it's a good option.
Similarly, if you are using bedding on your bare earth floor and it gets wet, your chicken coop will be at a high risk for the growth of dangerous mold and bacteria. The bottom line is this: Do not consider a chicken coop without a floor, unless you have sandy soil that drains very well.
Inside your chicken coop, you will want to make sure that you have enough room for roosts, nesting boxes, and food and water, which will all be described in more detail below. The most important thing to take into account is how many birds you plan on having, and how much space they will need.
Sand in the Chicken Run
“The medium-grade sand is probably the best type of bedding for the coop area, as it doesn't hold liquid, doesn't harbor pathogens like mold, and it's very easy to clean,” Byrum says. “A lot of people try to use play sand, but there's a problem with the smaller grain silicates.
It is good to keep at least three inches of litter or bedding in the coop at all times. Why? Because chickens need insulation from the outdoor conditions, both hot and cold. Additionally, when a chicken jumps to the ground from either a perch or nest box, they need a layer of protection from the ground.
Chickens love scratching up dirt, dust bathing in it, and gobbling up grass, weed seeds, and insects, worms, and other invertebrates they find while scratching. When confined to a small outdoor run even a few chickens will soon devour every bit of grass and convert it to bare dirt.
How often you should be cleaning a chicken coop? You should provide fresh food and fresh water every day, and you should clean the bedding out once a week or once a month(the deeper the bedding layer the less often you have to clean it out). It's best practice to do a total clean-out at least twice a year.
Hay. NEVER use hay as coop bedding. Hay is livestock feed, straw is livestock bedding. Hay is too "green" and tends to harbor mold and bacteria which is extremely detrimental to poultry health.
Where do chickens sleep? Most chickens prefer to sleep on a roost rather than on the floor or in a nesting box. And trying to do the right thing, many backyard chicken keepers provide roosts in the form of broom handles or round bars.
Freshly snipped, clean grassing cuttings, yes! And here are the reasons why… Giving your hens the odd handful of freshly snipped grass that you've cut yourself that morning is a lovely treat for your hens, and quite recently has proved very good for their welfare and overall health.
Pine shavings are a good litter choice, but scientific research and personal experience have proven that sand is even better! Pine shavings require regular replacement because they absorb moisture and poop is matted to them.
Carry out a Regular Cleaning Schedule
The best way to make a chicken coop smell better is to maintain a regular cleaning schedule. Some people prefer to use shallow bedding. If this is you, you should aim to replace the bedding once a week, using vinegar and water spray to neutralise any odours.
To get rid of a strong poultry smell from chicken put the chicken into a large non-metallic pot or bowl. Pour 1/2 a cup of white vinegar over the chicken and mix well to coat all the chicken. Leave aside for 4-5 minutes. Now wash the chicken thoroughly under running water and use as required.
Use Odor Neutralizers
Baking soda, too, kills many types of mold that might manifest from moisture in the coop.
Cedar shavings are not recommended because the scent can be overpowering and even toxic, especially to chicks. Straw is one of the best materials for bedding. It has the same advantages of pine shavings and provides something for chickens to scratch and peck through.
Elevate the nest to a height of 1 to 3 feet to discourage predators and the collection of debris from the coop floor. Line boxes with bedding to keep chickens comfortable and to protect the egg once it has been laid. Wood shavings, straw or sawdust are economical choices.
The bottom line is organic matter, leaves, wood chips, grass clippings, kitchen scraps — all go in the run.
Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries make healthy snacks for chickens when fed in moderation. A few flock favorites include: Vegetables: Lettuce, beets, broccoli, carrots, kale, swiss chard, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers. Herbs: Lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, cilantro, thyme and basil.
Although chickens can tolerate colder temperatures, it is still important to keep coops warm and dry throughout the winter to improve laying and prevent disease. Remember, chickens like it warm, but not hot!