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Im looking at changing from woodshavings to deep litter sand with lime. What is the ratio of lime to sand? Is kiln dried the best? what are the prices for kiln dried sand and lime like? What depth should i be putting down?

Thanks

best be carefull with sand my m8 bought some had a lot of trouble when vet tests came back turned out   foxes and rats had been peeing on sand where it was stored before he bought it

I was thinking of obtaining sand from the builders merchants to try and eradicate this problem. We have some stored in the yard from building but its been there for a few years and its for that reason why im not using it as im not sure if anything has contaminated it.

i would only use bagged sand kiln dried as you never know what you end up with re birds

i used play sand u cant beat it no dust at all

what do you guys use on the loft floors? Im not impressed with shavings, they get everywhere, create dust and look dirty after a couple of days

I started with bagged sharp sand. It was always damp going onto the floor which I didn't like, and like others I started wondering what yard storage was like and what had been at it; I added agricultural lime. Can't say that I was ever totally satisfied with the result.

I've moved on quite a bit now, I still have 'deep' litter - its lucky if its an inch deep - but I haven't added sand or lime for years; I now add floor dressings, at least once per week, and on Saturdays I spend around 2 hours raking over and sifting all of it through a 1/4 inch sieve, the big stuff is bagged and binned. What is left on the floor is then raked back, and I then add Stalosan or Harker's Loft Treatment, about 3 shakers-full (I use a Harker's shaker for Stalosan too).

The same floor dressings go on the perches and nest box floors, and into and around the rims of the nest bowls too. The perches and nest boxes are cleaned daily, and that is bagged and binned daily.

1 sack of play sand then 1 bale of easy bedding

IB what deep litter do you use? Thanks

Quoted from joshdonlan

IB what deep litter do you use? Thanks

It is not something that you can buy in. I've developed it over 6 years. It feels like ash, reddish-grey in colour.

I use kiln sand mixed with loft teatment and I have never had any issues. Would not be without it.

We have grills through the main loft but took them out the stock loft and now have Hemcore down - its the best thing we have found on the market although if i was to use sand have to agree with Terry Mcarthy you wont go far wrong with childrens sand

beechbark chippings,the only problem is when its time to change,its murder to get rid off [i had 12 garden sacks ]then again i had it down for about 10/11 months and it needed changing

The only safe sand to use is the kiln dried stuff but it's not cheap.I used it for a couple of years and liked it but if it ever gets wet then it was hopeless to dry out and then someone told me it harboured coxi too so combined with that fact and a couple of gale force storms that drove the rain horrizontally into the loft thus having to shovel heavy wet sand out of the loft,then pay a fortune to replace it again that was the end of it!,I use easi bed now and it suits me though that isn't cheap either.

Quoted from chrissy

The only safe sand to use is the kiln dried stuff but it's not cheap.I used it for a couple of years and liked it but if it ever gets wet then it was hopeless to dry out and then someone told me it harboured coxi too so combined with that fact and a couple of gale force storms that drove the rain horrizontally into the loft thus having to shovel heavy wet sand out of the loft,then pay a fortune to replace it again that was the end of it!,I use easi bed now and it suits me though that isn't cheap either.

You'll not have to worry now Chrissy, Tammy used to be up at 5.30 every morning scraping his lofts

Quoted from DOVEScot

You'll not have to worry now Chrissy, Tammy used to be up at 5.30 every morning scraping his lofts

Well he isn't anymore

Quoted from chrissy

Well he isn't anymore

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING  

thanks everyone i may consider an alternative.

Quoted from chrissy

Well he isn't anymore

Please explain !!!!!!!   further. Because ???????? what little treats etc, would Tammy be getting now   that he wasn't receiving before.
Enjoy.

true deep litter would over a number of years just be cork dry dropping on there own,

Have used Kiln dried sand for years now in the young bird loft and found it to be very good.
I think it helps eradicates a good few ailments in young birds as they tend to build up an immunity to various diseases, as they are always picking about in it.I find I treat less for things. Buy a riddle from the garden center  and riddle once a week.The sand can last for the whole young bird season.This my own opinion and I have not had young bird sickness in years. My bird are always in good condition.

Dougie  

if the litter is working , it can be left in the shed without having to change it

I use sharp sand and riddle it out every day

Quoted from vallance lofts

We have grills through the main loft but took them out the stock loft and now have Hemcore down - its the best thing we have found on the market although if i was to use sand have to agree with Terry Mcarthy you wont go far wrong with childrens sand

i've been using Hempcore for some time now unlike easybed its made from the stalks of the hemp plant has a pleasant odour and is supposed to relax horses , as its less dense as wood it easily composts down so is easier to get rid of. I sprinkle loft white over the hempcore to keep it fresh , great product a tiny bit dearer than easybed but i wouldnt change it unless i found a better product .

pea straw is used a lot on the continent

the problem with straw it needs to be gassed to get rid of nastys such as tics , and even tho the smaller bags at petshops have been gased better to buy from a pet shop with no pets as can get contaminated .

Quoted from OLDYELLOW

the problem with straw it needs to be gassed to get rid of nastys such as tics , and even tho the smaller bags at petshops have been gased better to buy from a pet shop with no pets as can get contaminated .

agree old yellow

have you seen some belguims use corn cobs
i thought this would bring vermin in to the loft

i've never seen the corn cobs i can imagine there use as would rotate when droppings attached forcing them to the floor however i think one could easily get knocked off ballance standing on them and the ground moving beneth your feet

same here, but a few of them use on the ybs lofts

Can i ask the sand users how deep you have it, i use easibed but it never looks clean, would i be right in thinking that with sand you just rake the top off now and again which isnt so easy with easibed as it all mixes together.

Jack change your easibed for Hempcore , just keep turning it over sprinkle stalaston f or loft white on top to keep it fresh

I have mine about 1 inch deep and use a garden riddle to sieve it thru.

OLDYELLOW, Where can you obtain hemp core from m8  

Farm pet shops that sells horse treatments ectra most can order it if they dont stock it , i get mine from farm pet shop there may be a B.A.T.A in your area i believe these may stock as they do most things, if they stock easibed im sure if you asked them to get hempcore they will   in my opinion hempcore is better than easybed  

Thanks Mate

PLAY SAND AND KILN DRIED ARE THE SAME THING SO UR BETTER GOIN TO THE BUILDERS MERCHANTS FOR IT AS IT`S CHEEPER !

Im now using easibed after considering deep litter sand as i was originally using shavings and the were bloody awful, dirty after first day and blowing all around loft. The easibed looks a lot cleaner compared to shavings. I have just cleaned out the easibed for the first time today since i started using it. I think i will start using loft white to keep it smelling as fresh as it is now  

Josh

the best thing about using any sand is being a non organic material bacteria cannot live grow or survive in it we have about 6 tons a month for the cow cubicles the combat mastitus bacteria and seen a huge drop in cases since thats why i use sand in my loft without adding anything to it i feel quite safe with it .

[quote=3442]Im looking at changing from woodshavings to deep litter sand with lime. What is the ratio of lime to sand? Is kiln dried the best? what are the prices for kiln dried sand and lime like? What depth should i be putting down?

your loft will retain damp if you use a lot of sand especially sea sand as the salt  drags moisture in

Quoted from chris vasey

[quote=3442]Im looking at changing from woodshavings to deep litter sand with lime. What is the ratio of lime to sand? Is kiln dried the best? what are the prices for kiln dried sand and lime like? What depth should i be putting down?

your loft will retain damp if you use a lot of sand especially sea sand as the salt  drags moisture in

keep posting Chris hes a top bloke

I use easibed.

Lloyd

easibed for me too

been using play sand as well from Toys "R" Us.