Do you have a compost pile? Please post pics

[Brelansmama]

My compost pile is just that......a pile.
I dug a shallow hole (maybe 12 inches) and started dumping my kitchen scraps, weeds, dead-headed flowers, and the like, into/onto the pile.
when that gets about waist high, I dig another hole next to it, and roll the top of the first pile, onto the second pile. I pull all the non-broke down stuff off, till I hit the finished compost.
I have started a separate pile for the chickens shavings, that I just layer with fresh grass clippings.
That one gets HOT under those nice grass clippings.
I thought a separate pile for the pine shavings was best, because it needs all the rich nitrogen from the grass clippings to help brake down the pine shavings.

Wheeeee! Composting is fun!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

saw these on craigslist today

and said to myself, "Self, we can build on of those for cheaper than they are asking for" So self and I found 2 barrels(foodgrade) and will be working on them in the am.

Most times I feed all my food scraps to the "girls" I'm thinking the composter will compost what the girls leave behind after finishing with the food scraps!!

 

[DarkWolf]

Quote:
It's more likely that it's NOT because of the grass clippings and is because of the extreme nitrogen in the chicken poo mixed in with the shavings..

You can't use chicken poo that has not aged on plants, it will burn them it's so rich in nitrogen..

I'm glad you said something about a separate pile though. It's be better if I could keep the shavings separate since they'd compost quicker under the harsh poop. Will have to get my piles in a row, for sure.

 

[snakecharmer]

Funny timing of this thread. I actually just started building my compost bin last night. I went with a 2 bin design. I took one large pallet, sliced it down the middle and then cut half of one of the halves to make the end pieces. I am using some 2x4's and planks salvaged from tearing down some other pallets to make the divider and the removable front planks. It isn't pretty by any means but it is after all a box to hold poop and trash. I will be adding top doors and trying to make it slightly more attractive but I don't plan to get too crazy or spend any actual money on it. I honestly don't care all that much about having compost but wanted an environmentally friendly way to deal with coop waste and the wood shavings from my snake enclosures. I have also recently realized how much food scraps we have been throwing in the trash that I had never really paid attention to in the past. I am not some kind of crazy tree hugger but have been trying to be a bit "greener" lately. My bin in in the back corner of the side yard pretty close to the coop and the garden area. We didn't do a garden at all last year but it will be in the area just to the right of the bin in the second picture. When the coop run is completed it will be twice as long as what I have built so far so the bin will be probably only be about 6' away.

Here are a couple crappy cell phone pictures I snapped this morning.

 

[zachslc]

Recycled shipping pallets:

 

[SophieLain127]

I'm planning on using some old shipping pallets for my compost bins. We have about 30-40 we need to get rid of and this is a good way to do it.

 

[aliprowl]

I have a compost question - to compost, or not to compost? I have abandoned gardening (no time), so no need to actually use the compost. However, I have a herd of chicks coming in two weeks, and am wondering WHAT on earth one does with the poo if one does not compost? To further complicate matters, I have absolutely no place to "hide" the compost pile so it would have to be contained in one of those pre-fab, store bought composter thingies that are basically black or green boxes. Therefore, no real value add for the chickens because they won't be able to root around in it.
So, I ask you experienced composters: if you don't compost, where do poo and old shavings go to die?
Many thanks....

 

[SophieLain127]

I don't know what to do with old poo and shavings but I've seen that people have posted bags of it free on craigslist to others that do have a compost pile.

If you do decide to compost you can also offer that for free on craigslist or you can charge for it. Check on craigslist and see what you find also you can use freecycle in order to establish a relationship with someone who can compost it.

GL

 

[GardeNerd]

I have a small lot in the city so we are limited for space. My compost bin sits on the side of the driveway with the trash cans. It is a recycled broken city trash bin (a wheel was cracked) with the bottom cut out and holes drilled all over. I found something similar in "Make" magazine and improvised it. I love it.

It is about 15 feet from my coop, but not a big deal. I have a hose right next to it and it is convenient to keep the bin moist when needed.

I open the flap on the bottom and scoop out small or large amounts.

I have tried other things over the years, but this out composts them all and is pretty tidy. It is full of redwigglers as well.

My mom just bought a compost tumbler for $99.00 at Costco last week. I have seen ones like it for $300. If you don't feel handy it is a good way to get started composting.

I keep newspaper under my roosts, carry it to the compost and shred it in, poo and all. Then cover with some of the compost already in the bin. Works great so far.

 

[zachslc]

Unrelated pictures of compost:

Yes, that is snow.

This is my basement worm bin.