compost pile IN run

[midd2005]

does anyone have their compost pile actually inside the run area. if so, how'd you work it? pros/cons? and best yet, pictures?

 

[MissJenny]

My compost often gets moldy which is dangerous to chickens. Does your compost never get moldy? And it produces quite a lot of heat -- where I am we sure don't need excess heat in the summer. So I am wondering what would be the benefit of having the compost in the run?

Jenny

 

[BBK]

I usually only pull a bucket of weeds, my back can't handle any more than that...I then dump the whole bucket into the run and it's gone in an hour, maybe a few stragglers...

i don't think I would put more than that in there. It does smell/rot if they don't eat it all. And they won't eat it then.

Melinda

 

[speckledhen]

If there is a chance of any spilled feed being in the pile, don't. I have lost hens who found moldy feed at the bottom of the compost heap here--it was fenced off, but had grown so large that it was pushing against the fence. They got their heads through, then developed sour crop. One died, one recovered.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Mine love to get on it and kick stuff everywhere. I prefer to put mine a good ways off since it does have heat and a bad odor. Chickens don't need something else to help a run stink.

 

[CityChook]

Do a search (in the blue bar above) on compost. There are many different opinions. My chickens happen to LOVE the compost pile, but I only put in leaves and grass. Still, there is decomposing materials involved which can be deadly to chickens. I'm not sure I would try to have a compost pile INSIDE their run, but to each his/her own. Just do with with full knowledge.