Struggling with Sand in the CoopNeed Cleaning & Odor Control Advice!

[ChickadeeChampion]

Hi everyone!

When I moved my chicks outside, I decided to try sand in the coop after hearing it was easy to clean and helped control odor. Unfortunately, that hasnt been my experience at all.

I scoop daily using a cat litter scoop, but it feels tedious, and I can never get the coop as clean as Id like. Theres also a strong odor despite my efforts. The biggest issue is that spilled feed gets mixed into the sand and wont sift out properly.

Is there a better way to clean sand efficiently? Or should I consider switching to another bedding? Any advice on reducing the smell?

Thanks in advance!

[CompostChampion]

Try using a reptile sand scoop,it has finer holes than a litter scoop and might help with cleaning more effectively.

[NestingNerd]

If odor is a major issue, you might be dealing with trapped moisture. Maybe switching to a mix of sand and pine pellets could help absorb it.

[FeatherFlux]

Sand works best when completely dry. Is there any moisture buildup in your coop? Adding more ventilation could help with odor.

[FarmsteadFowl]

Some people swear by sand, but I switched to hemp bedding,less dust, no smell, and super absorbent. Might be something to research!

[Coopinator]

I gave up on sand for the same reasons! Switched to pine shavings, and it's much easier to manage. Maybe worth considering?

[CrowingCounselor]

Some people rake the sand daily instead of scooping,loosens everything up and helps dry it out faster. Might be worth a try!

[FarmyardSage]

I had the same problem, so I put feed in a hanging feeder. It cut down on waste in the bedding a lot!

[EggstraSpecial]

I use a leaf blower on low to clear out fine dust and old feed. Then I top off with fresh sand once a week.

[RootedSoul]

You're not alone,sand can be tricky! Have you tried a finer mesh scoop? That might help separate the droppings better.