Hey there, fellow chicken enthusiasts! If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering about the best places to buy sand for your chicken coop. Trust me, I’ve been there – standing in store aisles, scratching my head, wondering what type of sand won’t turn my coop into a smelly disaster. After years of trial and error (and some very unimpressed chickens), I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the sandy terrain of chicken coop bedding.
Why Sand is Amazing for Chicken Coops
Before we dive into where to buy it, let’s quickly chat about why sand is becoming the go-to bedding choice for many chicken keepers like us.
Sand provides excellent drainage making it easier to keep your coop dry and less smelly. It’s also
- Super easy to clean (just scoop the poop like a kitty litter box!)
- Dust-free compared to wood shavings
- Doesn’t decompose or get moldy
- Offers a perfect surface for dust bathing
- Stays cooler in summer and can retain some heat in winter
My girls absolutely LOVE their sandy playground, and I love how much easier it’s made my coop maintenance routine!
Best Places to Buy Sand for Your Chicken Coop
1. Home Improvement Stores
Home Depot and Lowe’s are popular choices for many chicken keepers, including myself. They’re convenient if you live near one, and they offer different types of sand in manageable 50-pound bags.
At Home Depot, you can find:
- All-purpose sand
- Play sand
- Construction sand
- Mason sand
Similarly. Lowe’s offers
- All-purpose sand
- Play sand
- Concrete sand
- Paver sand
Based on feedback from the BackYard Chickens forum, all-purpose sand from Home Depot seems to be a winner for many chicken keepers. As one forum user noted “I use all-purpose sand, the kind that they sell at the Home Depot in our area. For some reason the ‘all purpose’ sand that they sell at our local Lowe’s is also too fine.”
Interestingly, the sand quality can differ between stores even within the same chain. So what works at one Home Depot might not be identical at another location.
2. Landscape Supply Companies
This is my personal favorite option when I need a larger quantity of sand. Landscape supply companies typically sell sand by the ton or half-ton, which is much more economical if you have a larger coop or multiple runs.
Benefits of buying from landscape suppliers:
- Much cheaper per pound than bagged sand
- Various grades available
- Often higher quality than bagged options
- Can usually deliver directly to your property
A forum user shared their experience: “I got mine at the local rock/gravel place. It was $17.00 per 2,300# and my coop took 5,600# to do all of my runs.”
That’s a LOT of sand at a great price!
3. Farm and Feed Stores
Your local farm and feed stores might carry specific bedding sands marketed for horses or livestock that work excellently for chicken coops. These often:
- Are pre-screened for harmful substances
- Come in manageable bag sizes
- May have been treated to reduce dust
Tractor Supply, Rural King, and local feed stores often carry these options.
4. Hardware Stores
Smaller hardware stores like Ace Hardware or True Value sometimes carry sand in manageable bags. While they might be slightly pricier than big box stores, they’re often more convenient if you live in a rural area.
5. Garden Centers and Nurseries
Many garden centers sell sand for horticultural purposes, which can work well in chicken coops. Look for:
- Washed river sand
- Coarse builder’s sand
- Horticultural sand
6. Online Retailers
While shipping costs can make this expensive for heavy items like sand, some specialty poultry suppliers do offer bedding sands with specific beneficial properties.
What Type of Sand is Best for Chicken Coops?
Not all sand is created equal when it comes to chicken coops! Here’s what you should look for:
Construction/All-Purpose Sand vs. Play Sand
Construction or all-purpose sand is generally the better choice because:
- It has varied particle sizes for better drainage
- It’s usually washed and screened
- It’s typically less dusty than play sand
- It’s often cheaper than play sand
One forum user commented: “I find that play sand is too fine. I use all purpose sand, the kind that they sell at the Home Depot in our area.”
Another user advised to “go for a construction sand. Whatever has the most variation in size. That gives your chickens a choice as to what they want. The bigger the grit the better the drainage.”
However, some chicken keepers prefer play sand because it’s specifically cleaned for children, potentially reducing the risk of harmful substances. As one user mentioned: “I would be inclined to choose the play sand, because I’d figure it would be cleaner and less likely to have anything nasty in it, since it’s for kids to play in.”
What to Avoid
Avoid sand that:
- Is extremely fine (creates dust issues)
- Contains added chemicals or dyes
- Is labeled as “silica sand” (can cause respiratory issues)
There was an interesting concern raised in the forum about potential chemicals in Home Depot sand: “So just got back from feed store to get pullets. They said the Home Depot sand might have chemicals in it that would harm the birds.”
While there’s no definitive evidence of harmful chemicals in standard construction sand from big box stores, if you’re concerned, ask for washing/screening information or opt for play sand which is produced with children’s safety in mind.
How Much Sand Do You Need?
This is always the tricky question! Here’s a simple formula I use:
For a 1-2 inch depth: Multiply the square footage of your coop/run by 0.1
For a 3-4 inch depth: Multiply the square footage by 0.25
For a 5-6 inch depth: Multiply the square footage by 0.4
For example, for a 100 square foot run at 3 inches deep, you’d need approximately:
100 × 0.25 = 25 cubic feet of sand
A standard 50-pound bag of sand is roughly 0.5 cubic feet, so you’d need about 50 bags.
One forum user shared: “The one bag of sand filled my 6×7 chicken run to a depth of about 5″. whole thing cost me about $50 – $29 for the sand and $19 for the truck.”
Buying Strategies: Bags vs. Bulk
Buying Bagged Sand
Pros:
- Easier to transport in personal vehicles
- Can buy exactly what you need
- Easier to handle for smaller coops
- Can add sand gradually
Cons:
- More expensive per pound
- Lots of plastic waste
- More labor to transport many bags
As one forum user mentioned: “I would prefer to be able to haul a whole bunch of 50 lb bags over having a huge amount of sand delivered (that way I can add just enough sand to my liking and not freak out my parents either that I’m turning their property into a chicken playground).”
Another user shared their approach: “I don’t have a truck, so what I’ve done is buy a couple of bags of sand at a time and make multiple trips to the store, several days apart. That way I avoid wearing myself out completely. I’m not as young as I used to be! It only took about 10-12 bags or so to cover my 64 square foot run, 1-2 inches deep.”
Buying Bulk Sand
Pros:
- Much cheaper per pound
- One-time delivery
- Less packaging waste
- Better for larger coops/runs
Cons:
- Requires space for delivery
- May need special equipment to move
- Might get more than needed
One clever approach from the forum: “I bought one of those 1000 lb bags of sand from Lowes, and then spent $19 to rent their truck to get it home. They loaded the bag in the truck, I drove it home and unloaded it into a wheelbarrow and into my coop. Whole process took about 1 hour (had the truck for 75 minutes). If I had bought individual bags of sand at $2.50 bag I would’ve paid probably twice as much for the same amount.”
Price Comparison
Here’s a rough comparison of what you might expect to pay (prices can vary by region):
| Source | Type | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot/Lowe’s | All-Purpose (50 lb bag) | $3-5 per bag |
| Home Depot/Lowe’s | Play Sand (50 lb bag) | $5-8 per bag |
| Home Depot/Lowe’s | Bulk sand (1000 lb bag) | $25-35 per bag |
| Landscape Supplier | Construction Sand (per ton) | $25-50 per ton |
| Feed Store | Equine/Stall Sand (50 lb bag) | $6-10 per bag |
My Personal Experience
When I first set up my chicken run, I went the bagged route from Home Depot. I bought about 15 bags of all-purpose sand, which was enough for my 8×10 run at about 2 inches deep. It cost around $60 total.
The process was… well, let’s just say my back wasn’t happy with me! Loading and unloading those 50-pound bags was quite the workout. But it allowed me to set up the coop at my own pace.
For my second coop (yep, chicken math is real!), I wised up and ordered from a local landscape supplier. They delivered 2 tons of washed river sand for about $85 including delivery. Much more economical, though I did have to wheelbarrow it all from the driveway to the coop. My chickens were absolutely fascinated by the whole process!
Tips for Managing Your Sandy Chicken Run
Once you’ve got your sand, here are some tips for maintaining it:
Cleaning Sand Bedding
Get yourself a good scooping tool! One forum user recommended: “I use a reptile litter scoop taped to a long wooden handle to clean up droppings. Works great. Picks up the poo and leaves the sand behind.”
Another shared: “I clean my run with a giant kitty-litter scoop from the dollar store.”
Adding Amendments
Some chicken keepers add products to their sand to help with odor control:
“Periodically – when it starts to get stinky… – I sprinkle in some DE and/or Sweet PDZ.”
Another forum user suggested: “Personally I would skip the DE and mix in Stall Dry (A mix of Clay & DE) It’s much easier to find. & Cheaper.”
Addressing Concerns About Sand
There’s some debate about whether sand from home improvement stores is safe. While most chicken keepers report no issues, if you’re concerned, consider these options:
- Use play sand which is cleaned for children’s use
- Rinse your sand before use (though this is laborious)
- Use sand specifically marketed for animal use
- Add a wire screen over the sand with regular bedding on top, as one feed store suggested
After years of chicken keeping and trying various bedding options, I genuinely believe sand is one of the best choices for most coops. It’s durable, easy to clean, and the chickens love it!
For where to buy it, my recommendation is:
- For small coops/runs: Home Depot or Lowe’s all-purpose sand in bags
- For medium coops/runs: The bulk 1000 lb bags from home improvement stores with truck rental
- For large coops/runs: Local landscape supplier delivery
Whichever option you choose, your chickens will thank you with happy dust bathing and cleaner eggs!
Have you tried sand in your chicken coop? What source did you use? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
P.S. Don’t forget to pick up a good kitty litter scoop while you’re shopping for sand! It’ll make your coop cleaning routine so much easier. Trust me on this one – my chickens and my nose are both much happier since I started using sand and daily scooping!
Encourages dust bathing
Just like us, chickens are partial to a bath, but they adopt a very different approach from us.
Hens use dirt and dust bathing to keep themselves clean. While it may seem like an odd way to freshen up, a good roll in the dirt works wonders for our feathered friends.
For chickens, hygiene is important, but they might not always be fussed about going out into the garden or exploring the run, especially during the winter when it’s cold and wet.
Using sand as a bedding material in your chicken coop encourages regular bathing.
Your hens will be able to dust bathe whenever they wish without leaving the comfort of the coop.
Reduces risks of ammonia build-up
We all know that ammonia is bad news for our flocks. Anything that reduces the risk of ammonia building up inside a chicken coop is a bonus.
As sand is inorganic, it doesn’t break down and it releases moisture rapidly. This is important because damp bedding provides a sanctuary for mold to flourish.
Before you know it, bacteria levels rise and ammonia builds up. Opting for sand will help you keep your hens in rude health.
It may cost you more to kit your chicken coop out initially if you choose sand, but in the long term, sand is a really cost-effective solution.
You can clean it quickly and simply and you don’t need to replace it often, which means that you’re getting good value for money.
Premium Chicken Sand, 50 lb Bag Odor Eliminating Bedding for Chicken Coops, Nesting Boxes & Runs
FAQ
Where can I buy sand for my chicken coop?
You can easily purchase sand for your chicken coop online, where a wide variety of options are available. Online platforms also offer the convenience of browsing different types of sand and comparing prices from the comfort of your home. But if you prefer buying sand in person, stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock a range of suitable sands.
Is sand a good bedding for a chicken coop?
The maintenance of sand as bedding is relatively easy as well. It aids in keeping the coop clean and reduces the presence of flies. This benefit enhances the hygiene and overall condition of the coop. Another key advantage of using sand is that it does not rot and is reusable.
Where can I buy chicken sand & deodorizer?
Shop Premium Chicken Sand, Odor Eliminating Bedding for Chicken Coops, Nesting Boxes & Runs – Natural Deodorizer, 50 lb Bag, 2 Pack at Target. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Free standard shipping with $35 orders.
Is sand good for chickens?
Reusable and natural sand material minimizes waste, making it a sustainable choice for eco-conscious chicken keepers. A green solution that not only helps your chickens thrive but also contributes to a more sustainable future. Find a Store Near You – Click Here!
How deep should sand be in a chicken coop?
This protects both the wood and sand from moisture. Additionally, the ideal depth for sand in a chicken coop ranges from 2 to 6 inches. However, you can opt for a deeper layer if you prefer. After all, a thicker layer of sand can offer better absorption and insulation.
Does a chicken coop reduce odors?
Significantly reduces odors by preventing moisture buildup and improving airflow. A fresh-smelling coop makes for a healthier, more pleasant living space for chickens and a more enjoyable experience for keepers, minimizing the strong ammonia odors often associated with chicken waste.
What kind of sand do you use in a chicken coop?
For a chicken coop, use a medium- to coarse-grained washed construction sand, also known as builder’s sand, bank sand, or river sand, rather than fine play sand. This type of sand is less likely to cause respiratory problems for you and your chickens because the grains are too large to be inhaled and lodged in the lungs, and it offers the benefits of easy cleaning, odor control, grit, and dust bathing.
Can I use Quikrete all-purpose sand for my chicken coop?
Is chicken sand worth it?
Unlike traditional bedding options that can quickly become damp and smelly, this innovative product effectively traps and eliminates unpleasant odors, keeping your coop fresh and your chickens comfortable.
What is best to put in the bottom of a chicken coop?
For a chicken coop’s floor, use a base of durable, non-absorbent material like linoleum or rubber over plywood to protect the wood and make cleaning easier. Above this, add a layer of absorbent, organic bedding material such as wood shavings (pine, aspen), or straw. Sand is another excellent option for bedding as it helps absorb moisture and dry droppings, simplifying cleaning.