Sand can be an excellent choice for your chicken coop bedding when chosen and used correctly.
Sand keeps coops clean and dry. Proper coop sand bedding should be coarse, washed sand rather than fine sand.
When used properly, sand provides superior drainage and cleanliness compared to straw or wood shavings.
However, not all sand is the same – fine play sand and silica sands can be dangerous, while coarse construction or river sand can become a “litter superstar.”
In the following sections, we’ll explain the benefits of sand, how to pick the right type, how to install and maintain it, and what to watch out for.
Also read: Complete guide to chicken coop bedding
Benefits of Sand For Chicken Coop Bedding
Sand bedding offers several advantages for backyard chicken coops:
Moisture Control and Hygiene
Sand doesn’t hold moisture or decay, so it dries quickly when wet. This keeps the coop floor drier and reduces odors, bacteria, and pests.
Chickens on sand had far lower moisture levels and bacterial counts than those on pine shavings.
Even many pests like coccidia (which cause coccidiosis) grow in warm, damp litter – a sandy floor dries droppings and discourages those pathogens.
Sand “decreases Coccidiosis problems” because it doesn’t stay warm and wet.
Cleanliness and Dust Bathing
Coarse sand acts as a natural litter that chickens can scratch, dust-bathe, and walk on. Hens naturally love to dust-bathe in sand or dirt to keep parasites off their feathers.
A dry sand floor means chickens keep their feet and feathers cleaner, so eggs stay cleaner too. Chickens in a sand-floored coop enjoy a dust-bath environment.
Because sand does not rot or spoil like wood shavings, the coop smells fresher and attracts fewer flies and pests over time.
Many backyard hens prefer to scratch and dust-bathe in sand flooring.
Digestive Health
Coarse sand doubles as grit, the small stones chickens need in their gizzards to grind feed. Unlike very fine sand, properly chosen coop sand will pass through the gizzard safely.
In fact, sand used as litter poses no risk of crop impaction, unlike some other materials.
Instead, it helps digestion by acting as grit. Still provide larger poultry grit if your chickens have access to it, but know that the sand can fulfill their need.
Temperature Regulation
Sand has high thermal mass: it absorbs and holds heat. Research and field observations have shown that coops with sand bedding stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
For example, some studies have found chicken houses with sand were about 2°F cooler in hot weather (and slightly warmer in winter) than those with wood shavings.
This means a sand-floored coop creates a more stable, comfortable climate for your flock.
Ease of Cleaning and Economy
A sand floor makes scoop-and-sift cleaning easy. You can use a shovel, litter scoop, or even hardware cloth to separate droppings, replacing only the soiled parts.
Because sand doesn’t decompose, you won’t need to replace it weekly. Most keepers can go months without needing much sand replacement.
It’s common to just top off fresh sand annually or biannually. When clean-out is needed, the old sand can often be washed, re-dried, and reused – or added directly to compost or garden as a clean mineral amendment.
At about $15 per yard in bulk, sand is also cost-effective, especially since you don’t have to throw it away after every cleaning.
Over time, using sand can save on bedding costs and labor compared to replacing straw or shavings.
Overall, many backyard flock owners find sand to be the cleanest bedding option. Also, sand dehydrates droppings, doesn’t retain moisture or decay, provides excellent drainage, and serves as natural grit – all at an inexpensive price.
How To Choose the Right Sand For Chicken Coop Bedding?
Not all sand is safe for chickens. You want a coarse, natural sand with mixed grain sizes, not a fine sand or silica powder.
Here’s how to pick the best sand for coop bedding:
Use Coarse, Washed Sand:
The ideal coop sand is often sold as washed construction sand, bank sand, river sand, or concrete sand. These are coarse, angular sands used in construction.
They have a mix of grain sizes and are washed of silt. In field guides, these might be labeled “washed construction-grade sand” or “bank-run sand.”
Look for words like mortar sand, concrete sand, builders’ sand, or riverbank sand.
These varieties drain well and stay airy. Some poultry farmers says that medium- to coarse-grained sands (called river bank, mortar, or concrete sand) are safe for chicken coops.
Others advise that the best sand is washed, construction-grade sand that is silicate-free. So, we can say both type coarse plus natural sand is good for chicken coop bedding.
Avoid Fine or Play Sand:
Do not use fine “play sand” (like children’s sandbox sand) or beach sand. These sands are often made by crushing quartz and contain very fine dust particles.
Fine sand compacts easily when wet and can clog a chicken’s crop if ingested, leading to impaction.
It is also very dusty – prolonged exposure to fine silica dust can injure the lungs of chickens (and humans).
In summary, steer clear of any sand labeled “play sand,” “all-purpose sand,” “masonry sand,” or similar, unless you confirm it is a coarse, natural blend.
Check Before You Buy:
If you’re at a garden center or sand depot, ask to see the sand. Rub it between your fingers and try wetting a handful: quality coop sand will feel grainy and mostly drain through your fingers, whereas bad sand will feel like flour or form a clumpy ball.
Bringing a scoop to the store – if the sand clumps or seems fine, skip it. Always buy natural sand, not manufactured.
Many backyard keepers source sand from local quarries or landscaping suppliers. A good sign is if the salesperson suggests “washed river sand” or “playground mix” (if it’s coarse).
If you do buy bagged sand at a hardware store, double-check the label. For instance, some all-purpose sand or beach-play sand is usually not suitable for coop floors.
Instead, look for “builders’ sand” that contains pebbles or is explicitly coarse.
How To Install and Maintain Sand Bedding in Chicken Coop?
Once you have suitable sand, setting it up is straightforward:
Prepare the Floor:
Sweep or clean the coop floor. Sand works on concrete, wood, dirt – all are fine. For wood floors, many people put down cheap linoleum or plywood panels first to make future cleanup easier. A liner helps because you can then shake out or wash the sand occasionally.
Add 3–4 Inches of Sand:
Spread a layer about 3–4 inches deep across the coop floor. In the outdoor run, you can go even deeper (some keepers use 6–12 inches) since runoff may wash through it.
A thicker layer means more ability to absorb spills and droppings before needing fresh sand. Over time, chickens will naturally sift and fluff it up.
Place Water and Feed Outside:
To keep sand as dry as possible, locate waterers and feeders in the run rather than inside the coop. Spilled water or wet feed inside the coop will bog down the sand.
If water does spill on the sand, just rake or shovel the wet spot into a dry area – it soaks up and evaporates quickly. Sand drains brilliantly, so you’ll avoid pools of moisture.
Regular Scooping:
Even though sand doesn’t compost like straw, you still need to remove droppings. In a typical coop, scoop out feces and wet spots regularly.
Many chicken keepers scoop daily or every few days. As a rule of thumb, small coops often require daily scooping while larger coops may need it only once a week.
In practice, it takes just a minute or two with a small scoop or fork to keep the sand clean.
Occasional Deep Cleaning:
Because sand doesn’t break down, you don’t need to replace it weekly like wood shavings. Most people only fully replace or wash the sand once or twice a year.
When it’s time to refresh (for example, if it gets contaminated with mold or simply very soiled), you can shovel out the sand, wash it if you like, let it dry, and pour it back in.
Any small amount of soiled sand can simply go to your compost (it won’t need to “rot” out like wood).
For reference, some chicken keepers use only one to two yards of sand per year for an 8×8 coop (plus runs), since most of it is composted or cleaned annually.
Turning the Run Sand:
If you use sand in the run and it gets rained on, use a rototiller, shovel, or rake to fluff it so it dries out. If you can, cover the run to prevent excessive rain.
In rainy climates, sand excels by letting water pass through instead of forming mud.
By following these steps, you’ll keep the coop floor dry and sanitary with minimal effort. Sand literally makes scooping poop as easy as scooping a cat’s litter – just lift it off the surface.
Drawbacks and Precautions When Using Sand Bedding
While sand has many benefits, be aware of a few downsides:
Heavy Lifting:
Sand is heavy. An 8×8 coop may need a couple cubic yards, and a cubic yard weighs about a ton (2000 lbs). If you have back problems or a mobile coop, consider how you’ll get it in.
Many folks arrange a local delivery or have friends help pour it in. Once in place, you won’t need to move it often.
No Insulation:
Sand doesn’t provide warmth like straw or shavings can. In very cold climates, you still rely on proper coop insulation and letting chickens roost on their perches.
The good thing is chickens don’t need bedding for warmth – they generate their own heat. In fact, letting sand stay dry is far more important than its lack of insulation.
Dust:
When dry, sand is mostly dust-free. But when disturbed (by digging or wind), it can kick up dust like any dry material.
It’s generally less dusty than straw or wood shavings, but still wear a mask or let the coop settle after major cleaning.
The main dust hazard comes from fine silica, so by choosing coarse sand you have already mitigated that concern.
Crop and Lung Safety:
Fine sand can be fatal if chickens eat and compact it. However, with the right sand, there is no risk of crop impaction. The coarse grains simply act as grit.
Likewise, proper sand does not pose the silicosis risk that beach or construction-grade silica sands do. Just make sure your sand is well-graded.
In short, the only real drawbacks are practical (weight, handling). From a chicken’s health standpoint, coarse sand is generally healthier for them than other litters.
As one expert concludes, “Sand is a chicken-litter superstar” because it “drains water brilliantly” and lowers bacterial and fungal levels.
FAQs (Using Sand For Chicken Coop Bedding)
What type of sand is safe for a chicken coop?
Always use a coarse, natural sand. Good choices include washed concrete/construction sand, river sand, builder’s sand, or bank-run sand. These contain a mix of grain sizes and drain well. Avoid fine play sand or silica-rich sand (like “all-purpose” or masonry sand). If you’re not sure, ask the supplier or inspect: coarse sand won’t form mud when wet.
Is play sand safe for chickens?
No. Standard play sand (often sold for kids’ sandboxes) is too fine and made of crushed quartz. If chickens eat it, it can cake in their crop and cause impaction. It’s also very dusty – breathing it can cause silicosis (lung disease) in the long term. Always avoid any sand that says “play sand.”
Can I use all-purpose or masonry sand in the coop?
You should be cautious. Some all-purpose sands are similar to play sand. If the “all-purpose sand” is coarse and washed, it might be okay, but check the texture. Masonry sand is often fine, and may contain more silt. When in doubt, stick to sand labeled for concrete work or river sand. If it’s fine and dusty, skip it.
How thick should the sand be?
Inside the coop, a few inches (3–4″) of sand is enough. In an outdoor run, people often put more (6–12″), especially in wet climates, because sand will settle with foot traffic. However, even just 4 inches indoors gives chickens space to scratch and helps hide droppings.
How often should I replace or clean the sand?
You should spot-clean sand every day or every few days, just as you would litter. Scoop droppings so the coop stays dry. A full sand change is needed far less often – many keepers do it yearly or every other year. Because sand doesn’t rot, the old sand can be washed and reused. If you choose not to reuse it, it still makes excellent compost.
Can chickens ingest the sand? Do they need grit if I use sand?
Chickens will peck at sand (and that’s fine, they need grit). Coarse sand in the coop essentially is their grit. With a sand floor, you may not need a separate grit dish unless you feed a lot of whole grains. However, it doesn’t hurt to offer small pebbles or ground shell grit occasionally. The main point is: coarse sand does not harm digestion, it helps it.
Is sand better than straw or shavings?
Many poultry pros say yes. Studies and field experience show sand keeps coops cleaner and healthier than straw, hay or wood shavings. Sand doesn’t mold or generate ammonia the way wet shavings do. It also tends to keep flies and bacteria levels lower. That said, straw and shavings insulate more, so in very cold situations you may still want insulation in nest boxes. For general bedding, though, sand is often the top performer.
Should I use sand in the chicken run as well?
Yes, many keepers apply sand or fine gravel to the run. It prevents muddy spots because water simply drains through. A sand-covered run (ideally with some roofing) also becomes a great outdoor dust-bathing area. Just remember to occasionally stir the sand and keep feeding/watering outside to minimize wet areas.
Where can I buy safe sand?
Local landscape suppliers or quarries are great places to look. Many homeowners use sand meant for patios or drains (often sold as “bank sand” or “drainage sand”). Check with landscaping contractors or garden stores about washed concrete sand. Some farm stores carry coop-grade sand, but you can also call home improvement stores to see if their bulk sand is natural and coarse. Remember: when buying in bags, inspect the grain size.
Conclusion
Sand can transform your coop into a cleaner, healthier home for your flock. By choosing the right sand (washed, coarse, silicate-free) and maintaining it properly, you’ll give your chickens a natural, dust-bath-ready surface to live on.
It offers superior moisture control, hygiene, and aids in the natural behaviors of dust bathing and grit ingestion.
While the initial setup might involve some heavy lifting, the long-term benefits of easy maintenance, cost-effectiveness, and a healthier environment for your flock make sand an excellent choice for any chicken keeper.
