Composting System

[RonP]

Do a search on "deep Litter".

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage before, because there will be a lot to absorb... over 14,000 posts last time I checked.

Feel free to ask what may not be clear.

 

[XanderWiFi]

Definitely learned I have been using the deep bedding and not the deep litter method for INSIDE the coop. Looks like I have a whole lot more leaves to haul in to establish the base of a deep litter run.

Sold on it more than ever. It has been raining the past three days here and while it is dry under the coop and inside the coop, everything else has become a wet mess. Additionally they have a couple exterior roost bars to jump onto to dry off but I digress...deep litter in the run will help elevate them in addition to accomplishing the things I want to do.

@RonP my question at the moment is this: when and how is the most effective way to extract the compost you desire? Did I correctly see the border rails to catch and hold particulates that were pushed through the half inch wiring? Just shovel up the exterior and apply to garden? I imagine the alternative is digging to the bottom of your litter and scooping out?

 

[RUNuts]

Xander - many ways. Some people will make a screen from 1/2" hardware cloth and sift the finished compost from the need more time compost. Throwing the need more time back into the run. The finished compost is hauled to desired garden spot for all the right reasons. Google Back to Eden and Paul Gautschi.

Others will scrape back the top layers and take everything left to grade level. The chickens will redistribute the remaining while picking through the goodness. How much work are you interested in? Better than a gym.

All the while, more raw materials are added.

Edibleacres on utube has a lane set up. Raw compost at the top of the incline. Finished compost at the bottom of the incline. The chickens have access to the whole lane and will disturb it, turn it and pick through it. His is a hot compost pile.

Short answer is, what ever works for you. These are how others have tackled it. I'm still building the floor. And it is a sodden mess at present.

I put chicken wire over the chain link run fencing. The chicken wire will hold the goodness in while providing air. Don't over think it.

Cheers!

 

[RonP]

@RonP my question at the moment is this: when and how is the most effective way to extract the compost you desire? Did I correctly see the border rails to catch and hold particulates that were pushed through the half inch wiring? Just shovel up the exterior and apply to garden? I imagine the alternative is digging to the bottom of your litter and scooping out?

Exactly. There is quite a bit of finished compost in my run.

I wait till the girls sift it out through the 1/2 inch screen and rake it up.

Very simple and effective.

 

[aart]

I wait till the girls sift it out through the 1/2 inch screen and rake it up.

Any idea how much you collect in a month or a year or...?

 

[RonP]

Any idea how much you collect in a month or a year or...?

I have averaged 5-6 50 gallon pails per year for the last 4 years of filtered fine compost.

Prior to that, I was not incorporating enough greens, and simply manure managing. Offering whatever and not logging the compost production.

Once my gardening friends started contributing their greens, serious composting ensued.

Should I add "labor" in the way of additional girls, production would increase. I designed my coop and run for 20 - 25, I maintain around 12.

There are copious amounts of finished compost waiting to be tossed in their run.

I have leaves piled composting naturally, everywhere. Greens stored in silage.
I just do not desire the added expense and issues with a larger flock at this juncture.

Hope this helps.

 

[aart]

5-6 50 gallon pails

Fifty gallon pails(barrels)?
Wow!

 

[RonP]

Fifty gallon pails(barrels)?
Wow!

Yes, I fill and store those 50 gallon pails with lids with compost or silage.

I designed and built a boom lift for the rear 3 point hitch on my garden tractor. It lifts and transports filled pails with ease.

 

[aart]

I fill and store those 50 gallon pails with lids

Ohhh, garbage cans, didn't know they made them that big....
.....and don't think of them as pails, because pails have bails

 

[RonP]

Ohhh, garbage cans, didn't know they made them that big....
.....and don't think of them as pails, because pails have bails

Funny, you are of course right.
Funny because part of my "transport boom lift" design includes a bail handle for the garbage can existing handles... thus huge pails to me