/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.

Composting!

Discussion in 'Gardening' started by Auntbessy, Jan 21, 2015.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jan 21, 2015 #1
    Auntbessy

    Auntbessy Hatching

    6
    0
    7
    Jan 9, 2015
    Hi - I use cat litter in my coop under the perches. When I clean it out with a kitty litter scoop the majority of the litter fall through the scoop but obviously there is some cat littler attached to the chicken poo - I use wood shavings in the nesting boxes which I put in the compost as well. Does anyone else use this and if so do they put it on their garden for fertiliser? I want to put all of my composted chicken waste on my veggie garden but wondered if the kitty litter would be ok - it is clay based (I think) not gel or anything. Any advice appreciated!
     
  2. Jan 21, 2015 #2
    justplainbatty

    justplainbatty Songster

    1,784
    140
    228
    Nov 30, 2007
    emmet MI
    Hi, [​IMG] i personally have never heard of this method. My concern is whether the litter contains odor reducers or clumping agents. If it has any of that I would not use it around chickens as they eat pebbly looking things.
     
  3. Jan 21, 2015 #3
    hennible

    hennible Crowing

    11,524
    856
    396
    Jul 14, 2014
    Central British Columbia
    X2 on zero additive litter. But if it is a totally natural clay product and the amount of clay is minimal I think it would be fine if not beneficial to your garden (must be trace minerals etc in clay )
     
  4. Jan 21, 2015 #4
    lazy gardener

    lazy gardener Crossing the Road 5 Years

    27,610
    26,100
    907
    Nov 7, 2012
    CENTRAL MAINE zone 4B
    I would be concerned about using any kind of cat litter, even if it's just clay in the coop. It may be just fine, but I'd fear that there may be some heavy metals in that clay. And, if it is JUST clay without additives, when it gets wet with feces, it has a tendency to turn into a sodden lump. Do you want to be adding clay to your garden? Also, I'd be concerned about the chickens eating the stuff. I can't imagine what a crop full of clay would do to a bird's digestive system.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: