Do you allow your chickens in your compost?

[humblehillsfarm]

This has probably been asked before, but I’m asking again for the sake of my curiosity. I used to use a barrel system for my compost but I ran out of room for all of that ! So now I have an open bin. Those silly gals fly in and dig in it all day. Thanks to them I never have to stir the compost. However, 90% of it is their own ! They’ve done this for months are are still fine. But I’m trying to decide if it’s better to block them off.

 

[Isadora]

Since you mentioned they're fine, is your concern that they're going to get sick from eating something in there?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Since you mentioned they're fine, is your concern that they're going to get sick from eating something in there?

Since you mentioned they're fine, is your concern that they're going to get sick from eating something in there?

I had read where you should allow them in the compost for risk of disease or crop impaction. I was wondering where the majority opinion was on this topic.

 

[Nnyuu]

I can't keep my chickens out unless I want them confined to the run 24/7. I prefer to let them roam free on the property. They're much happier that way and so far no ill effects from the occasional play in the compost.

 

[Isadora]

I had read where you should allow them in the compost for risk of disease or crop impaction. I was wondering where the majority opinion was on this topic.

I guess I'm not qualified to give advice on this topic since I haven't read much about it, but I definitely have a more relaxed approach when it comes to my chickens. They all free range exclusively since they are for pest control. I don't currently have a compost pile, but I wouldn't stop them if they were eating from it. With the free-ranging, I don't see how letting them have access to a compost pile would be any more dangerous than them just getting into whatever roaming around the yard. I would also think that as long as your chickens have a good source of grit, that impactation wouldn't be an issue.

 

[NatJ]

I had read where you should allow them in the compost for risk of disease or crop impaction. I was wondering where the majority opinion was on this topic.

Disease: it depends on what you put in the compost pile. If you are bringing in manure from other chickens, then your chickens might catch a disease from that. But if the only chicken manure in the pile came from your own chickens, then the only chicken diseases present are the ones they already have.

Crop impaction: if they are already doing fine with access to the compost pile, and they have access to grit, then it's probably not going to become an issue.

When I have chickens, I usually do not have a separate compost pile. I just toss the stuff in the chicken run. The chickens eat what they want, and keep the rest mixed up. They seem to do a fine job of self-selecting what is safe and appetizing for them.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Disease: it depends on what you put in the compost pile. If you are bringing in manure from other chickens, then your chickens might catch a disease from that. But if the only chicken manure in the pile came from your own chickens, then the only chicken diseases present are the ones they already have.

Crop impaction: if they are already doing fine with access to the compost pile, and they have access to grit, then it's probably not going to become an issue.

When I have chickens, I usually do not have a separate compost pile. I just toss the stuff in the chicken run. The chickens eat what they want, and keep the rest mixed up. They seem to do a fine job of self-selecting what is safe and appetizing for them.

This was pretty much my thoughts on the matter as well. In fact they do such a good job storing the compost that even in this heat and with me adding new poop daily, there is hardly any smell at all the pile looks almost usable (although it’s not).

...I definitely have a more relaxed approach when it comes to my chickens. They all free range exclusively since they are for pest control.....I would also think that as long as your chickens have a good source of grit, that impactation wouldn't be an issue.

I agree on all of your sentiments. The only reason I even use my run is to keep them out of the road during the day and to make them easier to watch when I’m on vacation.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I had read where you should allow them in the compost for risk of disease or crop impaction. I was wondering where the majority opinion was on this topic.

My opinion is that I don't worry about it. If they can get a disease from your compost they can get a disease by eating grass, finding creepy crawlies, or breathing the air. Disease is no more likely to be in your compost pile than anywhere else in your environment.

They can get a crop impaction from many sources. Crop impaction can be caused by long fibrous stuff getting wadded up in the crop with that ball getting too big for it to pass to the gizzard for grinding. That can happen if you dump grass trimmings in the run or if, for some reason, they decide to forage where there are long fibrous grasses or weeds. Maybe where you cut the grass. If they have options for different things they are unlikely to eat enough to cause that big wad. I dump some pretty long grass trimmings in my compost and it's never caused a problem with the chickens foraging in there. Crop impaction is a real thing and can happen but just because something can possibly happen doesn't mean it's likely to happen. You might have an accident the next time you drive to the grocery store. It can happen, but I don't consider it likely. I still go to the grocery store when I need to.

Crop impaction: if they are already doing fine with access to the compost pile, and they have access to grit, then it's probably not going to become an issue.

Nat, actually grit has nothing to do with preventing crop impaction. Grit doesn't do any good until it gets to the gizzard where it can help prevent gizzard impaction. Gizzard impaction is a real thing too but grit helps grind stuff up if it gets that far. I know I'm getting a little picky with this but I see grit often suggested as a cure or preventative for crop impaction. It's not and does not help anyone actually experiencing crop compaction.

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't let my chickens range so they don't get into my compost. But I put a great deal of what I might otherwise compost into the chicken run for them to process -- weeds, dried grass clippings, veggie trimmings, etc.

Only things that go into the compost really are moldy food, toxic weeds, and used chicken bedding that's not ready for the garden yet.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I don't let my chickens range so they don't get into my compost. But I put a great deal of what I might otherwise compost into the chicken run for them to process -- weeds, dried grass clippings, veggie trimmings, etc.

Only things that go into the compost really are moldy food, toxic weeds, and used chicken bedding that's not ready for the garden yet.

We’ll see I throw moldy food in there and the good food for the chickens. But then they eat the moldy food too