Composting for beginners? Help needed.

[Velmas]

Hi. I have recently joined this community for advice on keeping pet ducks, but it seems that the entire experience has given me a lot of questions to ask that aren't directly related to their care. Which brings me to the question: what the heck am i going to do with all of my used pine shavings from these birds?

Honestly, i would like to find a way to compost the shavings. Mainly to have a sustainable means of getting rid of the shavings. I have two ducks, and their used shavings have come close to filling a 50qt sterilite plastic container and i am definitely not wanting to have a giant pile to deal with, so I'm coming here before im too far gone.

Basically, i need some resources on how to create a composting solution that keeps the amount of material down to a minimum. I need it to not be smelly as well. We have two pekin ducks, one about 4 weeks the other about 2.5 weeks. I have never kept any kind of bird so i am in the dark as to how much pine shavings they will use while adults. The bin i have the used shavings in right now smells very little to my surprise, but i dont think it is breaking down very fast at all, which makes me worry about disposal once it gets too big as well as it being an eyesore in general(plus draws bugs) which could be a problem for neighbors (as well as small) as i live in the heart of a smallish city south of Memphis, TN.

So, where should i begin? Like i said i want to reduce smell as much as possible, and make the shavings decompose as quickly as possible. Not having many bugs flying around it would be pleasant as well. Thank you for reading and for any advice given!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Not sure if this will help you because you live in a city, but I might as well share it with you anyway. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/composting-with-chickens.64531/

Good luck!

 

[Velmas]

Not sure if this will help you because you live in a city, but I might as well share it with you anyway. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/composting-with-chickens.64531/

Good luck!

Very interesting read.

 

[MgnRose]

Hi! As a landscape designer who focuses on sustainability- I love your question! One solution if you are wanting to compost quickly Is understanding how compost works. I’m not sure if the article quoted above explains it, so here is another resource: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/63559-composting.html

Compost is created through microbial activity- and for compost to be successful/ quickly decompose, the right environment must be achieved. Microbes need lots of air, the proper nutrients, moisture (they create most of their own through respiration), and warmth (which is created through their own activity- the more active they are, the higher temperature your compost will be).

I have had compost turn over from my chicken coop in 30 days and these are the guidelines I followed.

• surface area is everything! You want to create a pile that is both tall and wide, creating a largest possible area you can directly in the middle. The sides that are exposed to the elements will decompose slowly while the middle will decompose the quickest.
• some woods breakdown more quickly than others, cedar being the slowest to decompose. Consider this when choosing your ducks bedding.
• proper balance of green and brown/ nitrogen and carbon. Depending on how much urea (nitrogen) you are getting from your ducks, you will probably have to add a few fresh grass clippings/ pruned leaves.
• cold weather and rain will slow decomposition: keep your pile covered if you are experiencing rain (although I cover mine year round). Also, if you are experiencing cold weather, a larger pile is better.
• air is important! Unturned compost piles become anaerobic and halt microbial activity/ decomposition. Turn over the pile every few days.
• jumpstart microbial activity by adding watered down molasses to the center of your pile.
• if you’re compost smells bad (it should smell earthy, not like rotting food), is attracting insects or pests, you have a problem (it’s probably not decomposing quickly enough because the needs of the microbes are not being met).

I really could go on forever about compost, microbes, etc. If you want more advice or have questions, I am happy to share/ answer.

 

[Avulture]

Hi! As a landscape designer who focuses on sustainability- I love your question! One solution if you are wanting to compost quickly Is understanding how compost works. I’m not sure if the article quoted above explains it, so here is another resource: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/63559-composting.html

Compost is created through microbial activity- and for compost to be successful/ quickly decompose, the right environment must be achieved. Microbes need lots of air, the proper nutrients, moisture (they create most of their own through respiration), and warmth (which is created through their own activity- the more active they are, the higher temperature your compost will be).

I have had compost turn over from my chicken coop in 30 days and these are the guidelines I followed.

• surface area is everything! You want to create a pile that is both tall and wide, creating a largest possible area you can directly in the middle. The sides that are exposed to the elements will decompose slowly while the middle will decompose the quickest.
• some woods breakdown more quickly than others, cedar being the slowest to decompose. Consider this when choosing your ducks bedding.
• proper balance of green and brown/ nitrogen and carbon. Depending on how much urea (nitrogen) you are getting from your ducks, you will probably have to add a few fresh grass clippings/ pruned leaves.
• cold weather and rain will slow decomposition: keep your pile covered if you are experiencing rain (although I cover mine year round). Also, if you are experiencing cold weather, a larger pile is better.
• air is important! Unturned compost piles become anaerobic and halt microbial activity/ decomposition. Turn over the pile every few days.
• jumpstart microbial activity by adding watered down molasses to the center of your pile.
• if you’re compost smells bad (it should smell earthy, not like rotting food), is attracting insects or pests, you have a problem (it’s probably not decomposing quickly enough because the needs of the microbes are not being met).

I really could go on forever about compost, microbes, etc. If you want more advice or have questions, I am happy to share/ answer.

That's a lot of useful information, thank you for sharing!