can we talk chicken droppings??

[ChickenMamaC]

So. I have sand in my coop. I scoop it and add it to my general compost/ worm bin. No problem. It never smells, it's easy, etc.

However, I have a mostly dirt run with a bit of cut hay scattered for them to scratch around in. I have been scooping poop with a dog waste spade most days and simply disposing of it, as it does have other stuff mixed in-- dirt, feathers, some hay bits, etc. This is the part that's vexing me.

I am actually totally shocked by how much seven 3-month-old birds can poop. I was thinking of one of those in-ground composters meant for dog poop??

What do you all do with all the poop in the run? I feel like I'm overwhelmed with chicken droppings! I work FT outside the home, so I am out there scooping and raking either early AM or in the evening, which will get challenging as the days get shorter.

Edited by staff

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I clean my run every week and dump it in my large compost pile. I am overrun with poop , between our chickens, horses, dogs and cats! It’s a never ending job!!!

 

[ChickenMamaC]

I clean my run every week and dump it in my large compost pile. I am overrun with S**t , between our chickens, horses, dogs and cats! It’s a never ending job!!!

Feel you!! I am doing mine daily or near-daily because it totally grosses me out that my brahmas step in cecal poop with their feathered feet!! I'm literally going home at lunch today IN ORDER TO SCOOP POOP.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I never clean mine out, my run and coop have deep litter so it composts in place. There's no bad odor and no problem with flies. It smells like an earthy forest floor. I add straw, yard waste, vegetable trimmings, pine needles, twigs etc. and harvest compost for my garden when needed.

 

[ChickenMamaC]

I never clean mine out, my run and coop have deep litter so it composts in place. There's no bad odor and no problem with flies. It smells like an earthy forest floor. I add straw, yard waste, vegetable trimmings, pine needles, twigs etc. and harvest compost for my garden when needed.

How did you start it? This time of year, I don't have leaves or much yard waste. And do you add something daily? I just see them stepping all over the poo right on the surface... ugh.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I never clean mine out, my run and coop have deep litter so it composts in place. There's no bad odor and no problem with flies. It smells like an earthy forest floor. I add straw, yard waste, vegetable trimmings, pine needles, twigs etc. and harvest compost for my garden when needed.

X2
DLM here....provided the space per bird balance is right there is no other way I'd do it (only noting because the small setups are not appropriate for this management approach)

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Yes, they poop a LOT!! I feel like I have to clean every morning, since I use mat system in the coop, I pull mats out, rinse poop into a container and put them back - takes 10 minutes, then I rake the run (without chickens takes less than 10 mins, with chickens almost 30, lol they are so cute and curious). But, once the poop is gathered out of the coop/run I add it to the compost pile. It has created the best soil for my garden - - I started adding it to the weed spreader (once it dries) and the grass has never been greener, thicker or fuller! Now flipping the compost pile, adding water, raking leaves etc. takes forever, but so far it is worth it!!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

How big is your run??? You may wanna free range a little to give yourself a break. But then again, you may be making it harder to clean up the poop all over your property!!!!!

 

[ChickenMamaC]

X2
DLM here....provided the space per bird balance is right there is no other way I'd do it (only noting because the small setups are not appropriate for this management approach)

I have 200 sq Ft in the run for 7 chickens...?

 

[ChickenMamaC]

How big is your run??? You may wanna free range a little to give yourself a break. But then again, you may be making it harder to clean up the poop all over your property!!!!!

200 sq Ft and they free range at least once a day, more on weekends.