Composting...

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

If the clothes are natural (cotton, wool) then 100% compostable. Blends, synthetics, etc. should be avoided.

Dryer lint of all types makes a great fire starter for camping, backyard fires, or the wood stove.

What bout if I use Downey dryer sheets...that make a difference?
I guess it doesn't matter though cuz now days everything pretty much has little bit of everything in it so couldn't use it as compost...crud

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

What bout if I use Downey dryer sheets...that make a difference?
I guess it doesn't matter though cuz now days everything pretty much has little bit of everything in it so couldn't use it as compost...crud

Yeah, I’d skip lint with dryer sheets…probably some petroleum residue in that “fresh scent”.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yeah, I’d skip lint with dryer sheets…probably some petroleum residue in that “fresh scent”.

I'm saving my lint and tp rolls to make tick killers. Spread the lint out flat and spray with Permethrin. Let dry, turn over and spray again. Fill the cardboard tubes with the lint and put in a dry place where mice can access them. They will carry the lint to their nests, killing the ticks at the source. Now I just have to get rid of the mice ....

 

[TJAnonymous]

If the clothes are natural (cotton, wool) then 100% compostable. Blends, synthetics, etc. should be avoided.

Dryer lint of all types makes a great fire starter for camping, backyard fires, or the wood stove.

I make firestarters for camping and our fireplace using empty toilet paper rolls, dryer lint, and newspaper or shipping kraft paper. I stuff a bunch of lint in the center, pack it with newspaper/kraft paper on each end, then snip the ends of the toilet paper roll to fold and close.

If I want to make waterproof ones, I hang a piece of twine through the toilet paper roll before closing. Then they get dipped in candle wax that I've heated up from leftover candles. I use these for camping and put extras in our bug-out bags.

They work great!

 

[TJAnonymous]

You guys were talking about plastic pallets the other day. I got busy but wanted to share this picture below. I made my first coop with a plastic pallet. It was a small coop (4 ft x 6 ft) for just 6 birds. I built it up on wheels so I could move it around and the chickens could go under it for shade. Since I've moved houses my flock has grown significantly, I now use this coop for my ducks. It does not work well for them either... Their bedding falls through the holes and gets trapped in the center of the pallet. I would imagine you'd have the same issue with compost?

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Despite having daffodils that are in bloom, we're in a bit of a cold snap. Yesterday never got above freezing, and today started out that way before climbing all the way to a balmy 37 degrees.

Braving the cold, I went out this evening to collect eggs and check on things in the chicken compost system.

I noticed at one spot on one of the haybale composters, some of the hay and leaves were pulled away by some members of the flock. I was shocked to see how well broken down the material only a few inches down were. The chickens were going to town scratching in the rich material and pulling out worms by the beak full!

These composters were started in late August, and the material at the top was obviously added much more recently. So, I decided to create a few more of these "access points", scratching the top 3 inches or so of carbon off the top of the pile in a places.

First off, the steam that came pouring out of these spots when opened was impressive...these piles are HOT. Second, the well decomposed nature of the material seemed to be true in the 3-4 other spots I opened up. The worm load and number of spouts (yes, sprouts, outside, in March, in RI) was really amazing. The flock really enjoyed spending the cold late afternoon digging and snacking on worms, sprouts, and whatever else they uncovered that struck their fancy.

Coming out of a cold winter (the toughest season on the farm, by far) and seeing this really was a satisfying experience, and proof that "it's all working".

Se

 

[Iluveggers]

Despite having daffodils that are in bloom, we're in a bit of a cold snap. Yesterday never got above freezing, and today started out that way before climbing all the way to a balmy 37 degrees.

Braving the cold, I went out this evening to collect eggs and check on things in the chicken compost system.

I noticed at one spot on one of the haybale composters, some of the hay and leaves were pulled away by some members of the flock. I was shocked to see how well broken down the material only a few inches down were. The chickens were going to town scratching in the rich material and pulling out worms by the beak full!

These composters were started in late August, and the material at the top was obviously added much more recently. So, I decided to create a few more of these "access points", scratching the top 3 inches or so of carbon off the top of the pile in a places.

First off, the steam that came pouring out of these spots when opened was impressive...these piles are HOT. Second, the well decomposed nature of the material seemed to be true in the 3-4 other spots I opened up. The worm load and number of spouts (yes, sprouts, outside, in March, in RI) was really amazing. The flock really enjoyed spending the cold late afternoon digging and snacking on worms, sprouts, and whatever else they uncovered that struck their fancy.

Coming out of a cold winter (the toughest season on the farm, by far) and seeing this really was a satisfying experience, and proof that "it's all working".

View attachment 3042815View attachment 3042816

Se

Beautiful photos! & a great explanation of what happened! How big are your piles? I’d love to see a pic from further back!

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Beautiful photos! & a great explanation of what happened! How big are your piles? I’d love to see a pic from further back!

Glad you liked the pictures...I was lucky enough to have my phone in my pocket while it all unfolded so snapped a few photos.

The pile(s) are pretty sizable...10 hay bales long by 3 deep by 3 high...I need to get around to digging out a tape measure and getting some proper dimensions.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Here’s a pic I’ve shared before. I’ll try to grab some updated ones this week.

 

[Iluveggers]

Here’s a pic I’ve shared before. I’ll try to grab some updated ones this week.

View attachment 3042873

That’s an amazing spectacle! I will have to show my family so we can try this at the farm.