I have 1 important question before I get a couple of hens

[pennyhenny]

My question is, what do all of you who have chickens in urban areas do with the poop? I'm pretty sure we are not allowed to include it in our garbage or yard waste collection and I guess I could compost it, but how long does the bedding (shavings) take to compost? I'd love to hear some suggestions. Thanks!!

 

[call ducks]

mine goes into a compost pile then on to my garden. i clean mine 2 times per year. have any other Q's post them

 

[HorseFeathers]

You've joined a wonderful forum with terrific members and mods.

We compost, and we used to live in a very tight area with our hens and composting worked quite well. Check with your neighbors and the city zoning laws first though! You wouldn't want your hens to be taken away.

 

[ChickeeNewbie]

I have three hens in the city. All I do is is clean out the poop from the coop every few days along with a little bit of the pine shavings with it. I just put it in my compost pile. I have an ongoing compost pile of yard wast and kitchen scraps. If you didn't want to go that route, I'm sure you could just put the poop in the regular garbage - or even tie it up in a plastic bag (if it's too smelly). I don't have a dog - but wouldn't you normally put dog poop in the regular garbage?

 

[ChickeeNewbie]

Oh - yes - and welcome to BYC - I am new to all this, but it has quickly become addicting - I think I check this site out more than Facebook, hehe.

 

[CityChook]

from MN!

I'm in a suburban setting. I clean out my coop twice a year and put it into the compost pile at the corner of the yard. It's wonderful for the garden, but needs to sit for a couple months before applying it. The shavings take forever to break down, but I just mulch the gardens with it and it looks great. If you don't have gardens to put it on, or don't want to deal with it, I guarantee that if you put a note on freecycle or craigslist, you will have someone on your doorstep within an hour to pick it up. They'd probably even pay for it.

edited for spelling 'cuz I'm a dork.

 

[pennyhenny]

Thanks for the replies. I plan to keep the coop very tidy as to keep down smell and not attract bad vibes from neighbours. Does it smell when composting? Come to think of it, I put my hamster's stuff in the garbage and the kitty litter (when we had cats). And I've read a bit about Diotamaceous earth keeping smell down too. If I dispose of it in a plastic bag, I suppose the garbage pick up would never know it were there. Thanks again.

 

[CMV]

Quote:
This works very well. I've never had a problem with odors until this week with the unceasing rain. I moved my chicken tractor, raked out their old run space and was FLOORED by the stench. I decided that would not do, so I sprinkled a bit of DE over the old run and problem solved. No more odor.

Have fun with your future hens. You'll love them. They're great.

 

[lambchicks]

You are supposed to let the droppings sit for at least 3 months before making manure tea. So I think you are looking at: at least 3 months.
Welcome. I agree, I spend more time here than on FB,