Instructions
Purchase construction sand from a quarry or a sand and gravel yard in your area. The sharp rocks and large pebbles in this type of sand serve as grit and are beneficial for your chickens' feet. If you don't have access to construction sand, you can try using children's play sand from a home improvement store.
Cover your chicken run with sand to a depth of two inches. Avoid potential drainage issues by applying a layer of gravel to the ground before covering with sand. For plywood floors, place a pond liner over the area beneath the sand.
Mist the sand with a garden hose to prevent harmful dust during hot, dry periods. Protect your lungs by wearing a respiratory mask while you're working with the sand. Clean up droppings with a kitty litter scoop or a vacuum, and change the sand completely once or twice a year.
How to Use Sand in Chicken Run
Though it may seem like an unconventional material for your chicken run, sand has several benefits as a floor covering. It's inexpensive, pleasing to the eye and easy to work with. Sand stays cool during the summer, and your chickens won't have any problems digging through it to find stray food pellets. Best of all, a sand floor in your chicken run will help keep the area dry, making clean-up and sanitation a much simpler process.