Chicken poop in the Garden

[FlyWheel]

I have a question; I've read a lot of posts where people simply grind up (with a tiller, I assume) whatever's left over in the fall after they have harvested everything and let their chickens loose in their gardens to turn it into fertilizer for the next spring. Certainly that's not composting for a year, how does that work?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have a question; I've read a lot of posts where people simply grind up (with a tiller, I assume) whatever's left over in the fall after they have harvested everything and let their chickens loose in their gardens to turn it into fertilizer for the next spring. Certainly that's not composting for a year, how does that work?

That's more like a chop and drop with the veggie plants.
The chicken poo is spread over a large area so decomposes much faster than in a compost pile. It also distributes all that ammonia over a wider area.

I have done that.....and did spread 2" of fresh from the coop litter and droppings over the whole garden.
With the winter snows and early spring rains it was amazing!
I had earth worms! First time I had seen those in this very heavy clay soil.
I was also able the hand turn the whole garden 13x26 at the time. Just an old lady and a shovel!

 

[Col1948]

If any of you keep fish in an aquarium, when you do a water change, the old tank water is also good for plants, don't just send it down the drain.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've seen 55gal single tumblers as low as $30 on Craigslist. Keep an eye out for... you may like them a lot too for same reasons.

That is a good deal, I'll keep an eye out for some. Though personally I haven't minded a year wait with using just a bin, since I only plan on refreshing the garden in early spring.

 

[FlyWheel]

If any of you keep fish in an aquarium, when you do a water change, the old tank water is also good for plants, don't just send it down the drain.

Whoa! you mean there is a practical reason for keeping fish?!

 

[TropicalBabies]

That is a good deal, I'll keep an eye out for some. Though personally I haven't minded a year wait with using just a bin, since I only plan on refreshing the garden in early spring.

Yep. I'm such a dork I think everyone is strapped for space... Oh to have back woods.... dreamyI'd let it go too, plus cold weather... why not.

 

[TheAmundsons]

@meglynnie I found this one on Amazon and it seems like it might be a good one. It's a little more expensive that we were hoping for, but I think we're going to give it a shot!


@TropicalBabies this one seem similar (smaller, but similar) to yours. I really like the idea!

 

[TropicalBabies]

@meglynnie I found this one on Amazon and it seems like it might be a good one. It's a little more expensive that we were hoping for, but I think we're going to give it a shot!


@TropicalBabies this one seem similar (smaller, but similar) to yours. I really like the idea!

Yippee! Happy composting!!!!

 

[TropicalBabies]

This is fantastic information! I have horses as well so it’s awesome to read to mix the horse and chicken poo together with other things to make fertilizer

Hi @meglynnie
We like to pick the poop up from our pasture... because it looks nice when we do. We can get these bins for free from our county. Takes me about a two weeks to fill one with two horses. We have 6 bins at the moment. After filling one, I pour a few buckets of water on the contents being sure to catch the sides where it dries out. Then I ignore it and begin to fill the next bin, ending up with a mostly finished product by the time I need a new bin (or 2 months). I lift the whole unit off, kinda like sandcastles, and then I am ready to shovel pure compost with out any obstructions. Hope this is inspirational. Happy composting and gardening!

 

[texas75563]

I clean my chicken pens out in the spring. I just spread it out over the garden and till it in. I have a good garden every year. In 2 or 3 months I will add more chicken poop in between the rows and let the rain wash it into the ground. That serves 2 purposes: fertilize and burn up weeds.