Composting in the run?

[drinkoj]

Another consideration: I had a compost pile long before I had chickens (like 20 years before) so it is chock full of the right microbes and worms. If you don't have a pre-existing compost pile, find a neighbor who has one (and no chickens, owing to biosecurity) and borrow a few buckets of dirt. That will get you pile launched. Otherwise it can be a year or two to get started. I have helped out many a neighbor in this manner. It works.

I personally only turn over the compost pile 1-2x a year. Many say you have to do it more often, but I don't bother as I am not in a particular rush to get the compost.

Good idea! My previous compost pill from a decade ago is still in the soil full of the good stuff since leaves fall on it. I put some of that dirt under my pine shavings before the chicken got in it and can dig up the ground and throw in some more.