advice!

[mpoland33]

Hello everyone! Just looking for some advice. I just moved my coop/run so I took the opportunity to revamp my compost area inside the run. I'll post a pic later this evening. I just finished the area today. Basically there are two "bays" side by side and I was thinking of starting in one, then moving to the other (when I start the next new one) , then move the right out to sit under a tarp for a bit.
What does everyone do with yours?


Also, how long does yours take until its ready to use? I hear places that are doing it in 3 weeks. I put grass and wood chips in weekly with scraps every night and I feel like 3 weeks isn't enough for my 13 chickens. Everyone seems to have a rich dark mulch like consistency, mine stays light brown

Would love to hear everyone's stories!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

It should look closer to dirt than anything else. Your compost should also have a little greenery in it such as grass clippings to help it break down. You can put worms in it to help the process just make sure the chickens are not eating them. Sounds to me your compost needs to bake a little longer. Once it is closer to dirt you can use some wire over a wheel barrow to sift it and remove any big chunks which should go back into the compost to break down. Turn the compost pile once in a while to encourage the process. Depending on weather it might take longer

 

[aart]

Composting is a Science and an Art.
To get from 'scraps' to 'good soil' in 3 weeks takes the right balance of ingredients and careful management...and more work than chickens can do.

 

[mpoland33]

Thanks for the replies. Just what I was thinking and I agree, more work than the chickens can do...here are a couple picturess

 

[mpoland33]

 

[mpoland33]