Compost Heated Brooder

[Ruralhideaway]

This is great. I'm already considering what I'd like to heat!

I have horse manure mixed with shavings, sawdust, straw, even some mixed with peat moss. Aged from new to 5 years. Tons goes into gardens but the suppliers are very prolific, I can't use it all. I'll be following along. Very interested in how to not lose all the heat in route to the brooder. How far away is the target?

 

[Citybirdcolumbus]

This is great. I'm already considering what I'd like to heat!

I have horse manure mixed with shavings, sawdust, straw, even some mixed with peat moss. Aged from new to 5 years. Tons goes into gardens but the suppliers are very prolific, I can't use it all. I'll be following along. Very interested in how to not lose all the heat in route to the brooder. How far away is the target?

I have mine probably 18" from brooder the pipe exiting the brooder is on the ground, and the one entering it is not. I plan to cover the one with 6" of wood chips, and to get some pipe insulation for the other. I don't think I'll lose a ton of heat in that short of a distance.

 

[lazy gardener]

Is there a pump, or does the water move simply based on temperature? Interesting. One can never have too much compost.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Huh wouldn't be hard to arrange a door near my outdoor brooder to bring horse stall cleanings directly out there. I assume the compost would need constant renewal.

 

[Citybirdcolumbus]

Is there a pump, or does the water move simply based on temperature? Interesting. One can never have too much compost.

I have a small 12v pump that uses a 1amp cell phone charger. Here's the link to what I bought. It's a $16 pump so I have no idea how long it will last.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Quite-12V-DC-Solar-100-Hot-Circulation-Water-Pump-Brushless-Motor-1-2-Couplers/272403296601?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Huh wouldn't be hard to arrange a door near my outdoor brooder to bring horse stall cleanings directly out there. I assume the compost would need constant renewal.

It doesn't need constant renewal, but I would definitely add wood chips as well to have a good source of carbon. The manure will go anaerobic by itself. It will shrink once it heats up, but you can keep adding the the top. Ideally you can turn the pile after a while.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Manure mixed with sawdust and pine shavings actually, about 70% manure I'm guessing.