I know there are definite camps for both sides. I have sand in the coop now. The only reason we used it is because this coop isn't built for deep litter. I did a lot of research even before ordering our chickens before deciding on deep litter, but when we got the premade coop, I had to change my plans. I know that sand is probably cheaper but I have zero desire to scoop it daily. It is way too dusty and with my carpal tunnel syndrome, a 5 minute job takes about 30 minutes. I simply cannot scoop a 50 sq foot area every day or even every week (once we get the new coop built).
If we use deep litter, we can change it out a few times a year and the main thing-my husband will do it. He doesn't want to scoop poop out of sand either and I don't want him to since he would not bother to use a dust mask. But he is perfectly willing to change wood shavings a couple of times a year (and might even use a dust mask since it's not a daily or weekly job) and to buy them too (he delivers feed for one of the local feed stores during the off seasons so he's there just about every day anyway) and it's cheap for us to buy. I've seen all the arguments for both sides and I think both methods are probably very good. For us, sand has been fairly clean and smell-free but not less labor and I have a lot of trouble scooping. I've tried kitty litter scoops, long handled scoops, and horse scoops with wire on them, and they are all difficult for me to use. I get claustrophobic with the dust mask on too.
So for us, I think deep litter will be the way to go-at least for a try. If we hate it we can go back to sand but to tell the truth, I hate the sand because of the work. I'm in pain for about half a day after scooping (this is with daily or every 3rd day scooping so it's not like I'm waiting until it's a huge job) and I'm ready for that to end. :)
