Tag: sand

Practical Chicken Coop Bedding Choices

Bedding Choices to Keep your Coop Clean, and your Life Easier

Written by a real person!

When it comes to chicken coop bedding, new options and creative combinations are gaining popularity as chicken keepers look for better choices.
Hemp bedding is becoming especially popular. It’s highly absorbent, some sources say it can hold up to four times its own weight in moisture, and it naturally helps control odors better than shavings. It also breaks down easier when composting. However, consider the fact that Hemp is pricier and may be hard to source.
I don’t have any personal experience with Pelletized Bedding but I have heard of other chicken keepers using it and are happy with its performance. It’s often made from recycled paper or other natural materials. These pellets produce less dust, and can sometimes outperform traditional options when it comes to odor control. But in my opinion it sounds like it’s a product you are going to be replacing often… that means an expense and a chore you may not want.
The Deep Litter Method continues to be a favorite for its practicality and sustainability. Instead of frequent full clean-outs, fresh bedding layers are added over time while the old material decomposes in place. This system helps manage odor, generates warmth, and reduces labor. However, success depends on good ventilation, regular stirring or turning, and careful moisture control, otherwise, issues like ammonia, mold, and pests will most definitely become a problem. This method is most popular in colder climates.
Pine Shavings are probably the most popular product used in coops, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. I won’t deny they’re soft, absorbent, help control odors, and smell wonderful. Not to mention they’re affordable, widely available, compost well, and a good choice for the deep litter method. But there is a downside, pine shavings are super dusty which can be a respiratory irritant to chickens as well as their keepers. They break down quickly, need regular refreshing, and when they get damp, trap bacteria and ammonia. Shavings need to be replaced often, a chore that is time consuming and messy. Which brings me to why I don’t use them, and what I highly recommend instead….

Sand

Sand has become a very popular growing trend. Sand dries quickly, doesn’t decompose or get moldy like other bedding, and provides great drainage. Coarse sand (I use construction grade) is the best choice (fine play sand should be avoided.) The coop is easy to clean using a sifting rake. You can have sand delivered from a local landscape center, take the afternoon and spread it yourself (or hire someone,) and you are good to go for literally years.

If you feel the need to mix or blend bedding materials, this is okay too. This is a great way to take advantage of the different individual strengths of various beddings. It makes good sense to adjust bedding seasonally, especially in winter. 
More info: Sand types / Sifting shovels

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The Best and Worst Sands for Your Chicken Coop

A Complete Guide to Safe, Clean, and Healthy Bedding

Using sand in a chicken coop or run can be a smart and practical choice—if you select the right type. The proper sand can provide excellent drainage, help control odors, and make cleaning easier. However, not all sand is suitable, and choosing the wrong kind can pose serious health risks to your flock.

The best sands for chicken coops are coarse and gritty. Construction-grade sand, also known as concrete sand, washed sand, or river sand, is a top choice. It features a mix of grain sizes, from fine particles to small pebbles, offering superb drainage and minimal compaction. Chickens enjoy dust bathing in it, and it supports foot health by providing natural grit. River sand is another excellent option—it’s similar to construction sand but usually smoother and free of contaminants or sharp fragments. Bank run sand, sometimes called mason sand if coarse, is also suitable as long as it isn’t too fine. In dry climates, decomposed granite can be used in outdoor runs; it’s very fine and stable underfoot, though it may get dusty.
To use sand effectively in your coop or run, aim for a depth of 2 to 4 inches inside the coop and up to 6 inches in outdoor runs. Clean it regularly using a kitty litter scoop or a fine rake to remove droppings. Good drainage is essential, so place sand in areas that slope slightly or have proper runoff. Refresh the sand every few months by topping it off with a new layer as needed.

❌ Sand Types to Avoid

On the other hand, certain types of sand should be strictly avoided. Play sand, which is very fine and powdery, retains moisture, compacts easily, and creates dust that can lead to respiratory issues and increase the risk of coccidiosis. Beach or saltwater sand may contain harmful salt, bacteria, or contaminants and typically offers poor drainage. Sandbox sand or fine mason sand shares similar problems unless it’s coarse and well-washed. Silica sand is particularly dangerous because its fine particles can be harmful when inhaled, posing health hazards to both chickens and humans.

Sand Keeps Your Coop Healthy—and Easy to Clean

Looking for the right cleaning tool? A Collection of Sifting Shovels for Sand

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Perfect Sand Sifter for Chicken Coop Cleaning

If you use sand in your coop, here’s the best sifter on the market!

The Sand Dipper (Mid-Adjustable Model) has a long handle that can be adjusted from 34″ to 64″, making it easy to clean the coop. It’s lightweight, has a comfortable cork-rubber handle, and a stainless steel basket. The holes in the basket are the perfect size to let sand, including quarter-minus gravel fall through.
I have a couple of tiny Mille Fleur chickens among the flock, and this sifter works great for cleaning up their small droppings too. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase.
🙂 You’ll find the Sand Dipper on Amazon for $36.00, worth every penny.

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