Litter vs Ecoli

[gproduce]

I have collected my litter in a compost pile. Can I put it into regular compost piles ,that may not get hot enough to kill the ecoli? I guess it could go around non fruit bearing bushes and shrubs ,though I would like to incorporate it into my main compost piles. Is this really a viable concern or am I overthinking this ?

 

[AllTheseCreatures]

Hi Gproduce.

You asked this question yesterday here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=394380

You could dress your ornamentals with it and they will flourish or you an put it in the garden, really the choice is yours. What are you more comfortable doing? You can compost at a temperature that will kill E. coli (which you will require a little more care and attention than most people are will to give to their compost) or you can let the pile sit for a long period of time which will also kill most of the E. coli. Your compost pile will never be sterile though. I've been using chicken compost for some time and we have never had any issues.

My though is that your concern is valid, if you would like more detailed information do a google search or buy a book about making compost. There is a lot of free info out there. With all the nitrogen available in that litter, if you keep it moist and pile it up high enough, that pile should get nice and hot.