Compost containers/bins

[Lunachick]

Hi Agility - I'm kinda lucky in that I have a back corner in my yard that is fenced off with 6' cedar that matches my perimeter fencing. It has a nice gate that when shut you can't see the compost area. But inside I have one of those stackable (black plastic) compost bins that I use.

Then I have a "pile" I also use that just ages naturally.


THEN I have a compost tumbler, I hardly use

Anyway, I use all three methods and try to keep up with it all. With only two chickens I don't get a whole lot of litter/poop, but enough that it makes a big difference in the compost!

 

[nightshade]

You should really rethink the "shade" part of your placement. Compost needs to maintain a warm temp to compost properly. The more sun a composter gets the faster it will work. Also I think a double pallet one would be best for you cause you are looking to make lots of compost and they are the most one of the easiest ways to make larger amounts.

hope this helps

and good luck with your dh

 

[Agilityscots]

Thanks Nightshade! Will definitely position it in a sunny area, thanks to your comment. I don't think there's any hope for a pallet system this fall but maybe next spring, when DH has recovered and memories of coop and run building are distant, maybe then...

He reminded me that we have some plastic 1" gauge fencing and fence posts from a project gone awry after we bought our house; we're going to rig up a nice big enclosure tonight after he gets home. It's free and shouldn't take us long.

Amy

 

[chicks rule]

Does the wire or pallet bin need to have a bottom or do you just toss it on the ground?

 

[blue90292]

actually, the more you turn, the hotter it gets. which also kills the weed seeds/roots.

 

[Patchofheaven]

We used a couple of land timbers - cut them each in half then set them as corner posts. Then we found some old roof tin and nailed it to the back and two of the sides - we left the front open - so we can use our tiller to really mix it up good.

We use to throw everything in the compost bin, but now we only throw our coffee grounds and egg shells - the chickens get the rest.

I had one little problem (sort of) - I gave several friends and family members 4" pots with cuttings of different plants last spring. I had used the soil from the fresh compost bin, several of the pots had cantaloupes and tomatoes growing along with the plants - I guess that's not really a problem.

 

[Agilityscots]

Quote:
Hi Blue,

If I'm continually adding new kitchen scraps and chicken litter to my bin, should I still turn it every few days? I know that adding new stuff to an old pile slows it down, but I thought maybe if I turned it often then that would help speed things along.

I have turned into a crazy composter. We were on vacation this past week and it KILLED me to throw away all the corn cobs, melon rinds, peach pits, etc. I tried to get DH to let me bring it home, but he looked at me and said, "We are NOT driving 600 miles with rotting garbage in the back seat." Sigh. What's wrong with the man?

Amy

 

[blue90292]

i have two square areas. when one fills up, then that one no longer gets new material and the other one starts getting filled. this way, the first one will become proper compost while you're working on the second one. turn once every 2 weeks or so. it would probably be wiser to put it out in an area that gets a little sun but if your area drains well, i think the heat of the compost should keep it fine.

i know what you mean about bringing things home. when my friends and i go out, and they don't finish their food, i collect the leftovers from everyone and put it all in one container to bring home for the chickens. i just can't fathom the food going into a garbage can when my chickens would be in heaven and it can cut my feed bill. LOL

 

[Agilityscots]

Quote:
I know, they're such wonderful little recyclers! And I love the fact that all the stuff that I used to throw out (and that used to end up in landfills) either gets fed to the girls or put in the compost.

Thanks for the tip on turning, etc. The system I have right now is a garbage can tumbler that I made by drilling holes into; it filled up FAST and cooked practically overnight. It was very cool to watch it sink and compress and then get steamy! So, I made a wire bin a few days ago, maybe 3x3 or 4x4, and dumped the cooking stuff from the tumbler into it and then dumped new chicken litter and scraps on top. I watered it, but it dried out pretty fast, so today I went out and churned it up, mixing the old stuff with the new. The wire bin is maybe a quarter of the way full, so I've got a ways to go! I figure when that one's full, I'll make another wire bin right next to it. I did put it in partial sun; it's shaded in the morning but it will get several hours of late afternoon sun. Nice and hot!

Amy

 

[ozark hen]

Actually, if you just shape it in to a round circle and maybe use some metal fencing posts to secure it you could do it yourself. I have done it that way in previous years(without any stakes..just the round shaped wire) and then built a four foot wide garden around it. I planted climbing veggies up against the wire and little "spoke" rows of veggies. It was all very compact and every time it rained my little wheel garden got compost tea from the compost pile. I never turned it...it did it's own thing. At the end of the summer I removed the wire circle and turned everything over. the soil was very rich there. I did that for a few years in different spots.