Compost and table scraps?

[harley96cube]

Hello,

I am very new...as in don't even have the chickens yet...still building the coop.
I have plans for doing some composting as well as getting some chickens for eggs.
Should I put my compost piles in the area that the chickens will be?

What can I NOT put in the compost pile?

I was assuming that all organic waste (food scraps from plates) would go in the compost pile as well as maybe grass clippings/leaves (although I don't rake/bag regularly).

Thanks!

 

[gryeyes]

Do not put meats into your compost. Instead, toss those meat/poultry/fish scraps out for your chickens. Those items need to be "processed" before going into the compost pile as chicken poop. As a matter of fact, the only thing that goes into my compost heap now is yard clippings and chicken poop. All table scraps go to the chickens, first.

You can let your chickens work the compost for you, but they will scatter it some. If you keep it in open bins, the chickens won't scatter it as much. They LOVE compost heaps!

 

[squeakyballs]

I'm kind of ghetto. I had this huge metal book case that was a little rusty. I took off the shelves and laid it down in the coop. The compost goes in there... kind of keeps it contained. I put it too close to the fence though, and the chickens use it to hop out sometimes.

I put all the kitchen scraps (no meat) on top of the pile... that way, the bits the chickens don't eat, are already in the pile.

I make sure to crush up egg shells so they don't look like eggs.

Also... I know onions are on the list of toxic foods, but the chickens won't touch them. I add those, too.

 

[PunkinPeep]

My compost pile is available to my chickens, so i've taken to just putting everything in there, and the chickens (and the dogs) eat out of it what they want. Trouble is, my compost pile doesn't grow much.

 

[chickfamilyonsleepyhollow]

Does anyone give coffee grounds to their chickens

 

[CaliBlueChicken]

Quote:
I don't "give" mine coffee grounds... I just toss my grounds out the door under the bushes and I think they eat some of it because I am not seeing it the next day, but it is good for the soil too

So if they are eating it I haven't noticed any health issues

 

[squeakyballs]

I pick up bags of coffee grounds at the coffee shop for the compost pile... I'm sure the chickens eat it.

Caffeinated eggs save me a step in the morning...

 

[gettinaclue]

Worms are a great accompaniment (sp) to chickens and a compost pile!!

 

[xyresicchick]

from what i understand caffeine (including chocolates) are toxic to chickens.

also avocados, rhubarb, uncooked potatoes, tomato leaves and vines, AND potato leaves and vines are off limits b/c they are toxic to them.

there are few other things chickens can not have like salty and sugary foods (chips or cake, etc).

from what i understand fruit pies are okay in moderation and the fat content in the crust is good for them as opposed to bad, but like i said... this is in MODERATION.

Meat and fish increase the risk of salmonella in the eggs they produce, so it is not good unless cooked thoroughly. do keep this out of compost however as it does not break down naturally. COOKED, it is fine to give to chickens, but not to give meat to the soil/compost.

and in my garden i grow morning glories, my chickens are persistent in pecking the leaves but they are neurotoxic! aahh! there are a slew of plants they can't eat, and that can be "googled" if needed.

 

[xyresicchick]

Quote:
x2 from me!

I have a worm compost bin, and my chickens love the worms i hand out!