[Kytie]

I bought sand to make a dust bath for my hens, but I think I've bought the wrong stuff. I got childrens sand which is very fine and the chickens ate it. I removed it and left them to make their own bath in the soil. Question is, can I mix some of the sand with the earth in the run?

[Fisherman]

I would get a bag of peat moss or similar and mix it with the sand, perhaps with a bit of garden soil or and ash. They're not really fussed as long they can have a nice cool bath especially in warm weather.

[Lindeggs]

I put a layer of sand down in my coop before I began building layers of deep litter on top.  My pullets did seem to eat a fair bit of the sand at first, but it has never done them any harm. 

Personally I would happily mix the sand in with the earth in their run.  It will improve the soil texture and do them no harm.

[Kytie]

Thank you both, I did have sand down initially in th ecoop, but it was shrp sand and quite wet, it also always fely cold so took that out and am now using wood shavings, seems to work fine. I think I will add some to the soil, was just worried they would eat it all.