Mouse Poop in the Chicken Coop

[alabamalizzie]

I have read through several threads but have not found an exact answer to my question. I want to compost my chicken poop, but when I went into the coop to get the stuff, I noticed mouse droppings everywhere. Can I still compost? Or should I just toss it?

 

[cookfamilyfarm]

If I had to choose I would just toss it, then work on those little pest. I always put my fertilizer through the harsh freezing of the winter before applying it. Killing the bacteria. Their may be some who might disagree and use the mouse droppings ,but it sounds like you think a little like me, (when in doubt throw it out) I hope you get those little varmits.

 

[alabamalizzie]

Oh yes. I know some might think "Poop is poop." But after taking Microbiology, everything is suspect!

 

[cookfamilyfarm]

I agree.

 

[Kikiriki]

I have read through several threads but have not found an exact answer to my question.  I want to compost my chicken poop, but when I went into the coop to get the stuff, I noticed mouse droppings everywhere.  Can I still compost?  Or should I just toss it?

I would be with the toss it side, except that mice exist everywhere and poop everywhere. Rodents are everyplace where food is grown, where animals live, and their waste is certainly in the cow, pig, and chicken manure that is spread for crops on farms.

If your compost actually heats it should take care of pathogens, and if you let it sit after composting so earthworms can have a go, they will also kill pathogens. Earthworm guts destroy pathogens. I would not directly give chicken waste to worms in bins, even after allowing them to sit for a year: I killed most of my worms off thinking the manure was "safe" because it was old.

If you still do not think it is okay, you could use it on non edible plants.

If the thought still makes you nervous, then just throw them out, but don't shine a light on your compost pile at night!

 

[HickoryHollow]

Are you kidding? If you have a compost bin, and have ever added food scraps such as tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, etc........you have had mice both eating and pooping in your compost pile. That is just one of the reasons for turning, mixing and churning so the heat decomposes everything inside. Just look at mice poop as poop you didn't have to buy the feed to produce! lol

As for the micro-biology thing........I work at a university. I tell the micro-prof I go around licking door knobs to boost my immune system. He gags when I say it.....lol

If we know half of what we eat, we wouldn't eat. Have you ever seen the creatures that live in your eye brows? Just stop thinking and worrying about it. We have servived for thousand of years. A little mouse poop won't kill us now!

 

[lazy gardener]

HH, you've made my day.

KiKirki: I'd not be at all concerned about composting mouse poop. I'd be more concerned about what else those mice are doing in your coop? Eating your chicken feed? They will also climb all over chickens at night and chew their feathers for protein and nesting material. Any feathers appear broken, blunt ended? There's a reason why mice are in your coop, and I'm guessing that they have access to chicken feed. Take away that option, and the mice may move on.

 

[nayeli]

I wouldn't worry about composting it. Mice are all over in nature and I don't think it would be an issue. I'm with the other answerer that I would be more concerned that the mice are in the coops... some chickens will eat mice and it isn't a huge issue but it depends on the chickens.