Deep litter sand

[Guest joshdonlan]

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

[Guest rodders]

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

[Guest joshdonlan]

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.

[ChrisMaidment08]

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

[terry mccarthy]

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

[Guest joshdonlan]

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

[Guest IB]

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.

[terry mccarthy]

1 sack of play sand then 1 bale of easy bedding

[Guest joshdonlan]

IB what deep litter do you use? Thanks

[Guest IB]

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.

[The Navigator]

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

[retired]

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

[Guest chrisss]

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

[Guest]

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.

[DOVEScot]

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 :)

[Guest]

 

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 :'(

[bewted]

 

Well he isn't anymore :'(

 

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING  :X :X :X :X :X ;)

[Guest joshdonlan]

thanks everyone i may consider an alternative.

[Lennut Tar]

 

Well he isn't anymore :'(

 

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

Enjoy.

 

 

[wilkins]

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

[Dougie]

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  

[wilkins]

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

[Guest Paulo]

I use sharp sand and riddle it out every day

[OLDYELLOW]

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 .

[wilkins]

pea straw is used a lot on the continent