Let chickens turn compost?

[happylittlehens]

Have any of you made a compost pile and let your chickens turn it? I’ve heard of people doing this but my chickens just want to kick my pile out into a nice flat layer. Which pretty much defeats the purpose. Has anyone had any luck with this?

 

[Ridgerunner]

What you need to do is put some sides on the compost pile so they can't scatter it. All 4 sides, not just three like I tried.

 

[nminusyplusm]

My run is the compost pile. Have you considered using the deep litter method?

 

[MissChick@dee]

My composting pile is round. I used chicken wire hoop it in a circle. I stop filling it when there’s about a foot of wire left. Yes they get in and scratch around kicking things up but it’s never much to rake up. I also ring it with cut firewood at the bottom. We lift up the firewood when we hunt for bugs. And yes my chickens ARE spoiled.

 

[happylittlehens]

My run is the compost pile. Have you considered using the deep litter method?

I have tried deep litter. My chickens push it ALL out the coop door and into the run! So I guess tecnically I am composting in the run right now. I’m just worried about throwing kitchen waste straight out into the run and not in a specific spot that I can turn and water to keep the bugs down...

I just went and raked some of it into a pile to put in my garden beds. It looks like it’s actually breaking down pretty well so maybe I’ll stick with it.

 

[True Patriot]

If you don't mind scraping it back periodically let them do some yard work for you. In the past I have made a 3 sided compost bin by standing pallets up and driving t-posts down through the middle to hold them up. When the pallets weather down and aren't useful anymore you can lift them over the posts and drop new ones on.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I have tried deep litter. My chickens push it ALL out the coop door and into the run! So I guess tecnically I am composting in the run right now. I’m just worried about throwing kitchen waste straight out into the run and not in a specific spot that I can turn and water to keep the bugs down...

I just went and raked some of it into a pile to put in my garden beds. It looks like it’s actually breaking down pretty well so maybe I’ll stick with it.
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I use deep litter in both coop and run. I also throw kitchen waste directly in the run and I encourage bugs to come in-- that's extra protein and fun for the chickens! The birds turn it. It works really well.

 

[happylittlehens]

I use deep litter in both coop and run. I also throw kitchen waste directly in the run and I encourage bugs to come in-- that's extra protein and fun for the chickens! The birds turn it. It works really well.

I guess you have a good point there!

 

[nminusyplusm]

I guess you have a good point there!

I leave a tub for dust bathing in the run. It stays in one place for a few days, then I move it and let the girls go wild with what they find. They were so happy the other day when they found Japanese beetle grubs under the tub.

 

[MissChick@dee]

If you put up a kick board at the door of the coop they can’t kick it out. The draw back is you have to step over it.