Sand for Litter in the Coop and Run

Jun 21, 2024
5 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

How to Control Moisture in the Chicken Coop - Without the Need for Ventilation

When it comes to keeping backyard chickens, one of the biggest concerns is moisture buildup inside the coop. Many sources stress the need for ventilation, but if you keep your coop clean and use the right systems, you can maintain a dry, healthy environment for your flock without relying on ventilation at all.

Step 1: Start With the Right Litter - Sand is King

Using sand in your chicken coop s one of the best ways to control moisture. Unlike wood shavings or straw, sand doesn't absorb and hold onto moisture- it allows it to evaporate quickly. It also prevents odor, dries fast and doesn't break down that can lead to respiratory irritation.

Think of sand as a natural drying agent. It keeps the coop floor clean, easy to scoop or rake and doesn't harbor bacteria or parasites as easily as organic material.

The purpose of litter is to keep the environment dry and facilitate waste removal, it is not for the purpose of keeping chickens warm in cold weather! Chickens will keep themselves warm with their high body temperatures and feather insulation in a DRY environment. Sand achieves that objective uniquely, creating a healthy living space in all seasons.

Dry sand will NOT freeze in freezing temperatures, but any litter that is allowed to get wet will!

Due to its high thermal mass, sand maintains more stable coop temperatures, cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter

Step 2: Install Droppings Boards Under Roost

The majority of moisture in a chicken coop doesn't come from the air- it comes from droppings. Chickens produce a surprising amount of waste while roosting at night and if those droppings are left to sit on the floor, they trap moisture and release ammonia.

Installing droppings boards directly beneath the roosts changes everything. These flat surfaces catch droppings overnight, keeping them off the litter below. In the morning, you can easily scrape them clean, leaving the coop fresh and dry.

Step 3: Use the Right Tools for Quick, Easy Cleanup

Keeping your coop dry and fresh doesn't have to be a chore- it just takes a few minutes each day with the right tools.

Drywall taping knife or wide paint scraper: The taping knife is perfect for sliding under droppings on the droppings board and removing them in one smooth motion.
Compost bucket: Keep a small bucket or pail nearby to collect the daily waste. Those droppings are gold for your compost pile or garden!
Kitty litter scoop or pooper scooper: Great for picking up any stray droppings that land on the sand floor. The sand sifts right through the pooper scooper, leaving you with just the waste to dispose of. Long handled options reduce bending.
Sand sifting pan: This tool is a must have for quick cleanup, especially in the chicken run. Use the pooper scooper (kitty litter scoop) to pick up the droppings on the run floor, and toss in the sand sifter as you pick up around the run. When finished, simply shake the sand sifting pan and sand falls through, leaving the waste behind.

Once your droppings boards are clean, sprinkle them with Freshcoop- a natural moisture- absorbing product that helps dry up any dampness from wetter droppings and reduces odor.

Step 4: Keep It Smelling Fresh:

To maintain a pleasant-smelling coop, lightly mist or spray your nest boxes and roosts with Chick' N Protect. It helps keep the coop smelling clean while also promoting a fresher environment for your hens. Combined with daily droppings removal and the use of sand, it's an easy way to maintain a hygienic, low-odor coop.

Step 5: Daily Routine = Dry Coop

Make cleaning part of your morning or evening routine. Scrape droppings into your compost bucket. Scoop up any that hit the floor, sprinkle Fresh Coop on the boards and mist with Chick' N Protect.

The Benefits of Sand

desiccates droppings
does not retain moisture
does not decay or degrade inside the coop
superior drainage
inexpensive
Eco-friendly
natural grit
no risk of crop impaction like straw and hay
easy daily maintenance
infrequent cleaning required
keeps feet clean and nails manicured
cleaner feet = cleaner eggs
any dropped feed gets eaten, not lost in the litter
dust-bath
no decomposition required in compost pile/great soil amendment
keeps coops cooler in the summer and warmer in winter due to its high thermal mass
reduces risk of frostbite
looks cleaner than other litter options and it is cleaner than other litter options

Roto-tilling the Chicken Run

The Chicken Run

Our chicken run has a roof, but the open sides allow rain to occasionally wet the sand. This is normal, as sand drains when wet. When this occurs, we either use a shovel to turn it or employ a cordless rototiller to refresh it.

In high-traffic areas, such as around the drinkers, feeders, and doors, the sand tends to become more compacted. Using a cordless rototiller is ideal for loosening and turning the sand in these spots. After using this tool, the sand appears fresh and smells like newly turned garden soil.

We perform a full sand turning twice a year:

After winter, when plastic walls are removed.
In the fall, before reinstalling plastic for winter.

Winter

A major advantage of sand is allowing chickens to dust-bathe year-round. Dry sand stays loose even in cold, snowy months.

For comfort in cold winds, attach 6ml contractor’s plastic to run walls using wood strapping. On sunny days, it acts like a greenhouse. A long-handled pooper scooper makes cleanup easier without bending.

Tip: Affordable Contractors Plastic, is available at Home Depot.

For more details, check our blog "Winterizing with Chickens"

Final Thoughts

While commercial poultry operations rely on mechanical ventilation due to high stocking density and constant manure accumulation, backyard keeper's don't face those conditions. With good hygiene, sand for litter, droppings boards and a few simple tools, you can completely manage moisture through prevention- not ventilation.

Remember- if you don't let droppings pile up, there's nothing to create moisture or odor.

Clean coop, dry coop, healthier chickens.

Additional Tips & Resources

Photo examples in this blog show the sand we use. Characteristics matter more than the name — construction, quarry, river, or bank sand is ideal.
Avoid crushed quartz play sand — too fine and dusty, which packs tightly and retains moisture.
Bulk sand is much more economical than bagged sand from home improvement stores.

We get ours from Bains Excavating, Hwy 37, just south of Trillium Woods Golf Course. Mention you need coop sand, and Lawrence will point you to the right type. Landscaping companies also carry it for around $25-30/yard.